Anchorage Independent Public School Wellness Plan. Introduction

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1 Anchorage Independent Public School Wellness Plan Introduction In recognition of the declining nutritional intake and skyrocketing rates of obesity in children, Congress passed The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, which requires, by law, that by the first day of the school year in 2006, each school district participating in the National School Lunch Program adopt local school wellness policies that address healthy eating and physical activity. In response to this legislation, Anchorage School has formed a Health & Wellness Committee, which is comprised of teachers, food service staff, school administrators, and parents. This committee is tasked with developing, implementing and reviewing guidelines and policies addressing a wide range of health and wellness issues including setting goals for nutrition education and physical activity, setting nutrition standards for all foods that are available on the school campus during the day, and promoting student and staff wellness throughout the school. The first task the Wellness Committee completed was a baseline nutrition and physical education/activity assessment. This assessment was a necessary first step in determining how nutrition and physical activity in Anchorage Public School compared to the standards set forth by the Act, which Congress passed. The assessment served as a starting point for determining which areas of concern are already fully implemented and being evaluated at Anchorage School, which areas are in place and being partially implemented, and which areas are not yet in place but for which plans are being made. The categories of

2 assessment encompassed the following topics: 1.Commitment to Nutrition 2. Quality Meals 3. Other Healthy Food Options 4. Nutrition Education 5. Marketing 6. Commitment to Physical Education and Other School-Based Physical Activity 7. Quality Physical Education/Physical Activity Programs 8. Other Physical Activity Opportunities 9. Community Connections 10. Issues in Physical Education 11. Marketing Wellness Plan Assessment Results Nutrition Commitment to Nutrition The Anchorage Public School is committed to providing a school environment that enhances learning and development of lifelong wellness practices. One of its goals is to ensure that all staff and parents work together to serve as positive role models for good nutrition. Quality Meals The goals of the Anchorage School Child Nutrition program are; to comply with state, local and federal guidelines for nutrition, to be accessible to all children, to comply with wellness policy goals, to provide foods and beverages consistent with Dietary Guidelines for Americans, to strictly follow safety and security guidelines, and to provide a safe, comfortable and pleasing eating environment for its students.

3 Other Healthy Food Options A report card will be created in response to changing guidelines for school nutrition and physical education. In this report card, parents will be encouraged to provide a variety of nutritious foods and beverages if students bring sack lunches or snacks from home. The report card will also provide a list of suggestions for such foods and beverages. Wellness Plan Requirements All foods and beverages sold individually outside the reimbursable school meal program, including a la carte items and vending machines will meet the following nutrition and portion standards: Beverages Allowed: water without added sweeteners, fruit and vegetable juices that contain at least 100% real fruit/vegetable juice and that do not contain added sweeteners, unflavored milk 1% or fat free and fat free flavored milk. Not Allowed: soft drinks which contain caloric sweeteners, sports drinks, iced teas, fruit based drinks which contain less than 100% real fruit juice or added caloric sweeteners, beverages containing caffeine (excluding fat free chocolate milk). Foods Any food item sold individually will have no more than:.30% of its calories from fat (excluding nuts, seeds, and peanut butter).32% of its weight from added sugars.300 mg of sodium per serving for chips, cereals, crackers, French fries, baked goods, and other snack items.450 mg of sodium per serving for pastas, meats and soups.600 mg of sodium for pizza, sandwiches and main dishes A choice of at least two fruits and/or non-fried vegetables will be

4 offered for sale at any location on the school site where food is sold. Such items could include, but are not limited to fresh fruits and vegetables, 100% fruit or vegetable juice, fruit based drinks that contain at least 50% real fruit juice and Do not contain added caloric sweeteners, cooked, dried or canned fruit or vegetables. Portion Sizes: Limit portion sizes of foods and beverages sold individually to those listed below: 2 oz. for chips, popcorn, crackers, cereal, trail mix, nuts, seeds, dried fruit or jerky 1 oz. for cookies 2 oz. for cereal bars, granola bars, pastries, muffins, doughnuts, bagels and other bakery items 4 fluid oz. for frozen desserts, including, but not limited to low fat or fat free ice cream 8 oz. for non-frozen yogurt 8 oz. for beverages, elementary school, excluding water 12 oz. for beverages, middle school, excluding water The portion size for a la carte entrees and side dishes will not be greater than the size of comparable portions offered as part of school meals. Food and beverage items shall not be used as rewards or incentives to motivate behavior or classroom performance unless dictated in a child s Individual Education Plan or 504 Plan. When food/beverage items are used as rewards, such items shall comply with nutritional guidelines set out in Kentucky Administrative Regulations. Nutrition Education Posters with positive images about nutrition and healthy eating will be displayed. In addition to this, Nutrition Education is an integral part of

5 the Health and Physical Education curriculum. The school district in conjunction with the APTA has formed an active Nutrition Committee that meets regularly. This committee has a focus of developing a smart food culture and a healthy population of students and staff. This committee s members include parents, school staff, and food service director. An Anchorage School report card on nutrition and physical activity will be circulated during the year, utilizing the school website and Weekly Waves newsletter. Marketing Consistent messages to students, staff, and other community members about a healthy school environment will come from: The school website, Weekly Waves newsletter, and Monthly school lunch menus The Anchorage School report card on nutrition and physical activity By following Anchorage s policy prohibiting the advertising of less nutritious food or beverage choices, we will be promoting our school s health conscious focus. Anchorage School highly values the health and well being of all its staff members and will plan and implement changes that will support personal efforts by staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some of these changes include, but are not limited to providing health seminars, walking challenges, health screenings, adding more healthy food and beverage options in the staff vending machines, and providing information regarding activities that are available to them in the community. We will also solicit other ideas from staff regarding how the school environment can support healthy lifestyles.

6 Advertising School-based marketing will be consistent with nutrition education and health promotion. As such, Anchorage School will limit food and beverage marketing to the promotion of foods and beverages that meet the nutrition standards for meals or for foods and beverages sold individually. School-based marketing of brands promoting predominantly low-nutrition foods and beverages is prohibited. The following are recommendations for consideration. The school will continue to provide information and suggestions for best practices in school nutrition. Birthday Celebrations: We will provide continued communication with room parents to encourage healthy treat options throughout the year and at special occasions. Classroom celebrations will take place just after lunch will take place after lunch. As per the school handbook: Food and/or beverage items shall not be used as rewards or incentives to motivate behavior or classroom performance unless dictated in a child s Individual Education Plan or 504 Plan. When food/beverage items are used as rewards, such items shall comply with nutritional guidelines set out in Kentucky Administrative Regulations. Sharing of Foods and Beverages: With deference given to those children and staff with allergies and other dietary restrictions, children are asked not to share food items or beverages during meal or snack times. School Physical Activity Guidelines * Physical Education and Health Teachers at Anchorage are certified by the State of Kentucky. * Students in class will spend at least 50 percent of physical education class time participating in moderate to vigorous physical activity.

7 * Physical Education is designed to build interest and proficiency in various skills, encourages self-discipline, develops motor skills, and promotes various activities that can be carried out over the course of students lives. * Activities that are used in P.E. class are age appropriate for each grade level (k-8) * Physical Activity time on days when students do not have scheduled PE, may not be withheld as a disciplinary consequence. * Recess time needs is spent in some form of physical activity such as: organized games and sports. * Breakdown of Physical Education Classes and times: The school year K-3 rd grades have physical education 4 times per week = 120 minutes 4 th - 5 th grades have physical education 3 times per week = 90 minutes 6 th - 8 th grades have physical education 2 times per week = 120 minutes Extra Curricular Activities offered at Anchorage Anchorage provides extra-curricular activities both school sponsored and school related such as: 4 th 5 th 6 th, 7 th, 8 th grade field hockey 5 th,6 th, 7 th, 8 th boys and girls soccer 6th, 7 th, 8 th boys and girls basketball 2 n /3 rd soccer intramurals to boys/girls 4 th /5 th soccer intramurals to boys/girls 4 th /5 th basketball intramurals to boys/girls K through 8 th girls cheerleading 6 th /7 th /8 th girls & boys track K-2 nd Golf Club 3 rd -5 th Tennis Club Fencing Club Lacrosse (Community sponsored)

8 Home Recommendations for Physical Activity: Children learn often by what they see done rather than what they are told. Anchorage School encourages adults to take an active interest in fitness, helping children appreciate the importance of health and fitness by slowly improving themselves. Some suggestions for families: *Set aside a night each week that your family can go for a walk, jog, or biking in your neighborhood/park. *If your child is not currently involved in some individual team sport, then encourage them to join. *lf you currently attend a fitness center, ask that your child come along or check into children programs. *Plan family activities around fitness activities Keep it fun! Community Opportunities for Physical Activity: Some examples of local resources offered in the nearby for team and individual sports: *Middletown Recreation Football, Basketball, Baseball *YMCA (Northeast) Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Baseball, Softball, Karate, Gymnastics, Swimming * Tom Sawyer Park Soccer & Swimming * Lyndon Recreation Baseball, Football, Soccer * Champs Roller Dome Roller Skating/Roller Blading * Ice Skating Iceland * Mid America Volleyball/Basketball * Rocksport Indoor Climbing Plantside Dr. * Middletown Martial Arts 402 N. English Station Rd. * All About Kids Blankenbaker Parkway Swimming, Gymnastics