PACELLI CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SYSTEM WELLNESS POLICY The Pacelli Catholic Schools recognizes that nutrition and physical activity influences a child's development, health status, well-being and potential for learning. Furthermore, students who practice good nutrition attend school with minds and bodies ready to take advantage of their learning environment. Pacelli Catholic Schools encourages all members of the school community to help create an environment for students that supports healthy, life-long nutrition and fitness habits. Decisions made system-wide with regard to curriculum, food, beverages, and exercise, should reflect and encourage positive nutrition messages, healthy food choices, and physical fitness. The Pacelli Catholic Schools believes the effort to promote good nutrition is the shared responsibility of the system staff, parents, and students. To that end, pursuant to regulations set forth by the Department of Public Instruction (“DPI”), an oversight committee has been established consisting of the following positions: the Food Service Coordinator and staff, the system President, any System Principal (can attend on a rotating schedule), one Physical Education Teacher, one representative from each school (can attend on a rotating schedule), a Physician, and any interested citizens from the community. In addition, by regulations set forth by the DPI, attendance by Committee members, or their representatives, at scheduled meetings is mandatory. This Committee will be charged with operational responsibilities to ensure that the schools adhere to the System Wellness Policy. The Committee will meet at least twice a year, and at other times, as needed. The Committee will review and update this policy annually. Pacelli Catholic Schools sets the following goals in an effort to create and maintain an environment that supports and teaches healthy eating habits as well as physical activity. The food service department, health curriculum and physical education curriculum directors will work together to achieve these goals. Food Service The food service department will:
Promote healthy meals and meal alternatives as part of the educational environment. Ensure all meals offered through the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs meet and follow all U.S. Government Nutritional Standards. Encourage and promote healthy living by implementing nutrition education materials into the meal program. Encourage the sale of foods of nutritional value during school meal service hours by phasing in healthier choices. With the assistance and support of school administrators, provide a positive environment in school cafeterias by giving an adequate amount of time for students to eat school meals, and schedule lunch periods in a reasonable manner. Encourage students who bring lunches from home to include 100% juice or water instead of heavily sweetened juice drinks and sport drinks.
Health Curriculum When applicable, curriculum will educate students to develop the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors for life-long, healthy eating habits and physical activity. The system has an approved K-12 nutrition curriculum as part of an integrated health curriculum. The nutrition curriculum supports the philosophy that the overall quality of life is dependent upon the student's interaction with their total environment that includes their physical, mental and social well being. Included in the integrated health curriculum is the goal that students will acquire good nutrition habits to help build and maintain good health. This performance goal is promoted throughout the K-12 nutrition curriculum. Sample topics covered as part of the health curriculum include: eating habits, nutrients, dietary guidelines, serving sizes, labeling, weight problems, eating disorders, fad dieting, food safety, food allergies and food sensitivities. Physical Education Curriculum The physical education curriculum teaches children the importance of physical exercise and exposes students to a wide range of physical activities, so that students develop the knowledge and skills to be physically active for life. Students receive instruction in the five health-related components of fitness: cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition. The curriculum promotes life-long physical activity, fitness and healthy eating habits. System-Wide Nutrition Guidelines Pacelli Catholic Schools encourages the sale or distribution of nutrient dense foods for all school functions, fundraising events, and other system activities. Those foods that provide substantial nutrients relative to the number of calories are called nutrient dense foods. Examples include: lean meat, fish and poultry, eggs, legumes, dark green vegetables, citrus fruits, fruits, nonfat milk, and vegetables. School and school groups are encouraged to follow the nutrition guidelines set by the District when selling food and beverages on school grounds. Food Items:
Provide food options that are low in fat, calories and added sugars. All food items for sale prior to the start of the school day, and throughout the school day, will have not more than 30% of total calories derived from fat. It is recognized that there will be may be rare occasions when the school principal may allow a school group to deviate from these guidelines.
Beverage Items:
Milk, water and 100% juice products will be available prior to, during, and after the instructional day.
Fundraising:
All fundraising projects must be approved by the principal of the building as stated in District Policy, and by the Development Office. All fundraising projects are encouraged to meet the District nutritional standards. Items being sold must not interfere or compete with the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program.
Classroom Incentives:
Teachers and principals are encouraged to consider non-food items as an incentive for students and staff. Should teachers or principals decide to use food items as an incentive, they are encouraged to adhere to these guidelines.
This Wellness Policy is subject to change based on United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) regulations and at Committee discretion. Any questions or concerns related to this policy may be directed to Mindy Peterson at the Pacelli Catholic Schools Nutrition Department, (715) 342-2000.
