Wellness Policy

(Located in the Frontier Central Schools District)

PHILOSOPHY

Southtowns Catholic School (SCS) believes that all students who begin each day as healthy individuals have the potential to become life-long learners. SCS also believes that staff should model proper wellness behaviors for students. This policy encourages a comprehensive approach to staff and student wellness that is sensitive to individual and community needs.

NUTRITION

Southtowns Catholic School supports nutrition programs and nutrition education as an integral part of a high-quality education.

Southtowns Catholic School shall operate and maintain a school lunch program, which shall function in accordance with State and Federal program requirements. The program, to the extent as possible, shall be self-supporting. The Food Service Director shall be responsible for the immediate operation and supervision of the school lunch program and shall report to the Principal. 

Southtowns Catholic School participates in the National School Lunch Program. Authorization is granted to the Principal or designee to act on behalf of Southtowns Catholic School for purposes of participating in this program. All applicable state and federal guidelines will be followed.

Nutrition services policies and guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of section 10 of the Child Nutrition Act (42 U.S.0 1779) and section 9 (0 (1) and 17 (a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.0 1758 (f) (1), 1766(a) 0, as those regulations and guidance apply to schools.

Nutrition guidelines encourage the use of products that are served in appropriate portion sizes consistent with USDA and state standards.

A la Carte offerings to students shall not be less restrictive than federal and state regulations require.
 

COMPETITIVE FOOD

To ensure that foods served at the school address nutritional needs and to protect the health of students, the policy will address control over the sale of non-cafeteria/competitive food. For the purposes of this policy, "competitive foods" means any food that is sold in competition with the school lunch program.

There is a USDA Federal Regulation for the National School Lunch Program (7 CFR 210, Section 210.11) and School Breakfast Program (7 CFR 220, Section 220.12) concerning competitive foods. However, the New York State Regulation is even more stringent. Chapter 647 of the NY State Education laws of 1987 prohibits the sale of soda water, water ices (excluding fruit ices), gum, all candies, and candy coated popcorn from the beginning of the school day until the end of the last lunch period.

Every attempt will be made to follow the NYS School Nutrition Association's Choose Sensibly single serving snack guidelines- 7 grams or less of fat, 2 grams or less of saturated fat, 360 mg or less of salt, and 15 grams or less of sugar.

Administrators, the building Cook, the Food Service Director and staff members are responsible for ensuring that non-cafeteria/competitive foods are sold in compliance with federal guidelines, state statute, and district policy.

HEALTH EDUCATION AND LIFE SKILLS

Healthy living skills shall be taught as part of the regular instructional program and provides the opportunity for all students to understand and practice concepts and skills related to health promotion and disease prevention.

Participation in the Health Education Program is required for all students in grades K-8

Heath Education is required each year for all students in grades 7-8 once a week  for 1 marking period.

Each school shall provide for a sequential knowledge and skill-based health education program based upon state and national standards and benchmarks.

Students will use core information to analyze and evaluate health and safety issues, information and resources in order to become healthy, responsible citizens.

Students shall have access to valid and useful health information and health promotion products and services.

Students shall have the opportunity to practice behaviors that enhance health and/or reduce health risks during the school day and as part of before or after school programs.

Students shall be taught communication, goal setting and decision making skills that enhance personal, family and community health.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

A certified physical education teacher will instruct physical education. Physical education shall be an essential element of each school's instructional program. The program shall provide cognitive content and learning experiences in basic movement skills, physical fitness, games and sports skills. The physical education program shall promote optimal physical, mental, emotional and social development in addition to promoting activities and sports that all students can enjoy and participate in a lifetime of healthy physical activity.

The physical education program shall be designed to emphasize physical fitness and encourage healthy active lifestyles. A "physically educated" person values the concept of remaining active throughout life and appreciates the sense of joy, which is derived from physical education.

Participation in the physical education program shall be required for all students in K through grade 8 for a minimum of forty minutes, two days a week.

Students shall be encouraged to set personal fitness goals that will enhance their level of physical fitness.

Students shall be provided a variety of opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and social interaction that will lead to a physically active lifestyle.

All teachers, including those who teach physical education, shall not order the performance of physical activity as a form of discipline or punishment.

Denial of recess, as a form of punishment, is discouraged.

The classroom teachers shall not prohibit participation in physical education class as a form of punishment.

It is recommended that if elementary schools schedule recess, to do so before lunch, where possible.
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HEALTHY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT

A healthy and safe environment for all, before, during and after school supports academic success.

School building and grounds, structures, buses and equipment shall meet all current health and safety standards.

The Southtowns Catholic School shall maintain environments that are free of tobacco, alcohol and other illegal substances.

Safety procedures and appropriate training for students and staff shall support personal safety and a violence and harassment free environment.

Each work site, school and classroom shall work to create an environment where students, parent/guardians and staff are respected, valued and accepted with high expectations for personal behavior and accomplishments.

Students who bring to school, use, sell or attempt to sell a firearm, deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or facsimiles of weapons will be suspended from school and reported to the Hamburg Police Department. State law specifically prohibits such behavior.

Students and parents of students are notified of the prohibition against bullying and the penalties for violating the prohibition by ensuring inclusion of such information in student and parent handbooks.

It is strongly recommended that all staff including administrators, clerical workers, school nurses, teachers, coaches, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, food service staff; security personnel, grounds and custodial staff and volunteers participate in staff development on unintentional injuries, violence and suicide.

It is recommended that all staff and volunteers not use food as a form of reward or punishment.

It is recommended that all students wash their hands before snack and lunch.

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Programs and services that support and value the social and emotional well-being of students, families and staff build a healthy school environment.

The school shall encourage students, families and staff to request assistance when needed and links them to school or community resources.

Students shall be provided the skills to express thoughts and feelings in a responsible manner and give and receive support from others.

Students shall be taught to understand and respect the differences in others and how to build positive interpersonal relations.

Students and staff shall be encouraged to balance work and recreation and helped to become aware of stressors, which may interfere with health development and employee wellness.

HEALTH SERVICES

The purpose of school health services is to facilitate and promote optimal learning for students through health strategies. School health services include the following goals:

-To promote prevention, early identification and remediation of health problems and needs of students.

-To assist students to assume responsibility for their own health and to develop healthful attitudes and practices.

-To provide first aid care for illnesses and injuries that occurs at school.

-To provide care for chronic health conditions that requires management during the school day as per NYSED) guidelines, current standards of care, and school policies and procedures.

-To promote environmental health and safety, injury prevention and awareness and remediation of hazards.

-To maintain a liaison with the other Town agencies, community health care providers, programs, and related partners.

-To prevent and mitigate the spread of communicable diseases.

-To participate in preparedness efforts designed to meet the needs of students, staff, and families in the event of a crisis or disaster affecting the school and/or the community.

FAMILY AND SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

Long-term effective partnerships improve the planning and implementation of health promotion projects and events within each school and throughout the community.

Family and students as partners shall be included on an ongoing basis in school wellness planning processes. (i.e., Health Advisory, Safe Schools and other appropriate committees)

The equality and diversity of the school community shall be valued in planning and implementing wellness activities.

School shall actively develop and support the engagement of students, families and staff in community health enhancing activities and events at the school or throughout the community.     

STAFF WELLNESS

The district shall provide information about wellness resources, services and assist in the health, safety and well-being of all staff

-The school shall be in compliance with drug, alcohol and tobacco free policies.

-The school shall provide an accessible and productive work environment free from physical dangers or emotional threat that is as safe as possible and consistent with applicable occupation and health laws, policies and rules.

-Employees shall be encouraged to engage in daily physical activity

MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION

-Use of the School Health Index will be used annually to evaluate, monitor and review policy.

-Discussion of the progress of our Wellness Policy should be discussed with Southtowns Catholic School annually.