St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Wellness Policy on Physical Activity and Nutrition 2022-2023
Children need access to healthful foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to grow, learn, and thrive. Good health fosters student attendance and educational success. Therefore, the school will engage students, parents, teachers, food service professionals, health professionals, and other interested community members in participating in school-wide nutrition and physical activities. All students in grades K-8 will have opportunities, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis with twice-daily recess and twice-weekly PE classes. Qualified child nutrition professionals will provide students with a variety of affordable, nutritious, and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students(respecting those required by individualized health plans. Food choices will accommodate the religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the student body. The school will provide clean, safe, and pleasant settings and adequate time for students to eat. Nutrition Guidelines The school shall encourage parents and volunteers to provide healthy options at informal classroom and/or school events to celebrate special occasions and during fundraisers. To the maximum extent practicable, St. Francis School will participate in available federal school meal programs and NSMP(National School Meals Program) shall be nonprofit. School meals provided by Bend LaPine School District will be served through the National School Lunch Programs. Nutrition information will be provided by Bend Lapine School District. Meals will be appealing and attractive to children, served in clean and pleasant settings, offer a variety of fruits and vegetables, serve only low-fat(1%) and fat-free milk and nutritionally equivalent non-dairy alternatives (to be defined by USDA), and ensure that half of the served grains are whole grain. Meal Times and Scheduling Saint Francis School will provide students with at least 20 minutes to eat after sitting down for lunch. Lunch should be scheduled between 11 am and 1 pm. Tutoring, clubs, organizational meetings, or activities will not be scheduled during mealtimes unless students can also eat at that time. Saint Francis School will schedule lunch periods to follow recess periods (in elementary school) Sharing of Foods and Beverages Saint Francis School discourages students from sharing their foods or beverages with one another during meal or snack times, given concerns about allergies and other restrictions for some children’s dietary needs. Portions Portion sizes will match the program requirements of the federal Nutrition program and Oregon State nutritional standards. Hot foods will be maintained hot until served. Cold foods will be kept cold until served. Snacks Snacks served during the school day or in after-school care or enrichment programs will make a positive contribution to children’s diets and health, with an emphasis on serving fruits and vegetables as the primary snacks and water as the primary beverage. Snacks The school will assess if and when to offer snacks based on the timing of school meals, children’s nutritional needs, children’s ages, and other considerations. The school will follow the guidelines established by the child care division of the state of Oregon. Rewards Schools will not use foods or beverages, especially those that do not meet the nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold individually (above), as rewards for academic performance or good behavior, and will not withhold food or beverages (including food served through school meals) as a punishment. Nutrition Education Nutrition education topics shall be integrated within the sequential, comprehensive health education program taught in each classroom. Handwashing Proper handwashing will be taught in each classroom. Students will wash and dry their hands after playing outside, sneezing, coughing, touching their faces, or using the restroom. When soap and water are not available teachers may supervise the use of hand sanitizer until soap and water washing is available. Tables and desks Tables or desks will be washed and sanitized before and after meals or snacks. Physical Activity Integrating physical activity into the classroom setting for students to receive the nationally recommended amount of daily physical activity (i.e. at least 60 minutes per day) and for students to fully embrace regular physical activity as a personal behavior. Toward that end: 1. Classroom health education will complement physical education by reinforcing the knowledge and self-management skills needed to maintain a physically active lifestyle and to reduce time spent on sedentary activities, such as watching television. 2. Opportunities for physical activity will be incorporated into other subject lessons; 3. Classroom teachers will provide short physical activity breaks between lessons or classes, as appropriate. Communicating With Parents Saint Francis School will support parents’ efforts to provide a healthy diet and daily physical activity for their children. The school will encourage parents to pack healthy lunches and snacks and to refrain from including beverages and foods that do not meet nutrition standards for individual foods and beverages. Parents will have access to the Bend Lapine lunch menu one month in advance. Physical Activity Opportunities and Physical Education(P.E.) 1. All students in grades K-8, including students with disabilities, special healthcare needs, and in alternative educational settings, will receive biweekly physical education for the entire school year. 2. Student involvement in other activities involving physical activity e.g., interscholastic or intramural sports) will not be substituted for meeting the physical education requirement. Students will spend at least 50 percent of physical education class time participating in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Daily Recess All elementary school students will have at least 20 minutes a day of supervised recess, preferably outdoors, during which schools should encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity verbally and through the provision of space and equipment. 1. Schools should discourage extended periods (i.e., periods of two or more hours) of inactivity. a. When activities, such as mandatory school-wide testing, make it necessary for students to remain indoors for long periods of time, schools should give students periodic breaks during which they are encouraged to stand and be moderately active. Physical Activity and Punishment Teachers and other school and community personnel will not use physical activity (e.g., running laps, pushups) or withhold opportunities for physical activity (e.g., recess, physical education) as punishment.
