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what's for lunch
wellness policy
On June 30, 2004, President
Bush signed Public Law 108-265, the Child Nutrition and
WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004.
Section 204 of this law [PDF]. Each local
educational agency participating in a program authorized
by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966
(42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) is required to establish a local
school wellness policy by June 30, 2006.
What is the Wellness
Policy?
A school wellness policy must include measurable goals
for nutrition education, physical activity, food
provided on school campus, and other school-based
activities designed to promote student wellness. The
goals set forth in the policy will establish regulations
for a la carte foods, fundraisers, vending machines,
classroom parties, and food used as rewards.
Policy Development Team
The law requires that students, parents, representatives
of the school food authority, school board, school
administration, and the public be a part of the
development process. The public can include community
members, representatives of local businesses or service
organizations, and health professionals. Other school
professionals can be included as well, such as a school
nurse, teachers (physical education, health education,
family and consumer science), curriculum coordinator,
guidance counselor, or members of an existing school
health council. It is advantageous to include persons
interested in supporting teamwork, rather than promoting
their own agenda.
Duval County Public School Wellness Policy
The Duval County Public School Wellness Policy was
developed according to the guidelines assigned by law.
The law required that students, parents, representatives
of the school food authority, school board, school
administration, and the public be a part of the
development process also known as the District Wellness
Committee. The policy was presented and approved on
consent or general agreement at the Duval County Public
School Board meeting on Tuesday, June 6, 2006. The
policy was then forwarded and approved by the Florida
Department of Education for state approval on Thursday,
June 15, 2006. The DCPS Wellness Policy is now available
for you to
review online. It is imperative that you familiarize
yourself with the policy in order to effectively
establish a school-based policy in your schools and stay
consistent with the goals of the District Wellness Plan.
School-Based Wellness Committee
In order to properly monitor the implementation of our
District’s Wellness Policy, along with evaluation of the
policy process and future policy revisions, a
school-based wellness committee needs to be established.
This school-based wellness committee will meet two (2)
times annually and should be composed of at least one
parent, one certified and one non-certified school
member, and one school administrator. Each school-based
wellness committee is encouraged to include one health
professional, either a school nurse or outside volunteer
professional familiar with children’s health.
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