Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Wellness Policy S-13
On June 30, 2004, Congress passed Section 204 of Public Law 108-265 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. This law requires each local education 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.) to develop and implement a local wellness policy. The purpose of the policy is to help protect and improve child health through adequate levels of physical activity and good nutrition during the school day.
At the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, we recognize that good nutrition and regular physical activity affect the health and well-being of our students. Furthermore, research suggests that there exists a positive correlation between a student's health and well-being and his/her ability to learn. ISBVI can play an important role in the developmental process by which our students establish their health and nutrition habits by providing nutritious meals and snacks through the school's meal programs, by supporting the development of good eating habits and by promoting increased physical activity both in and out of school.
The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is committed to creating a healthy school environment that enhances the development of lifelong wellness practices to promote healthy eating and physical activities that support student achievement.
Nutrition Education Goals
ISBVI sets the following goals in an effort to enable our students to establish good nutrition habits:
1. Nutrition education shall be included in the health curriculum for students K-9 that is interactive, and teaches skills needed to adopt healthy eating behaviors. In addition, nutrition education topics shall be integrated into the entire curriculum when appropriate.
2. Students shall receive nutrition education that is aligned with the Indiana Health Education Content Standards.
3. Nutrition and healthy living skills shall be taught as part of the total instructional program and provide the opportunity for all students to understand and practice concepts and skills related to nutrition, health promotion and disease prevention.
4. Nutrition education shall include enjoyable and developmentally appropriate interactive activities specifically designed for visually impaired students.
5. Nutrition education shall include opportunities for appropriate student projects related to nutrition, involving when possible families of students, community agencies and organizations.
6. Staff responsible for providing instruction in nutrition education shall regularly participate in professional development activities designed to better enable them to teach good health and nutrition habits.
7. Parents, teachers, school administrators, students, foodservice professionals, house parents and other staff will be encouraged to serve as role models by practicing healthy nutritionally sound habits.
8. Students shall have the opportunity to practice behaviors that enhance health and/or reduce health risks during the school day and as part after school programs.
9. Students shall have access to valid and useful nutrition and health information and nutrition and health promotion products and services.
Physical Activity Goals
ISBVI sets the following goals in an effort to enable our students to establish good physical activity habits:
1. The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired shall offer adapted physical education opportunities that include the components of a quality physical education program appropriate for the visually impaired student.
2. Physical education shall equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for lifelong physical activity.
3. Physical education instruction shall be aligned with the Indiana Physical Education Content Standards.
4. Every year, students PreK-9, shall have the opportunity to participate regularly in supervised physical education activities intended to maintain physical fitness and to understand the short- and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthy lifestyle.
5. The allotted time for physical activity will be consistent with the state guidelines.
6. At the elementary school level, students will engage in physical activity every day.
7. Students in grades 10 - 12 and those in transitional and functional programs will have an opportunity to participate in physical education if it is listed in their individual education plans or if they have chosen to take a fitness class.
8. The promotion of life-long physical activity will be integrated across the curricula and throughout the school day.
9. The school will encourage opportunities for physical activity through sports programs, recreational programs, and individual physical activity opportunities.
10. The school will ensure that all recreational facilities are safe, clean and accessible for all students.
11. Parents, teachers, school administrators, students, foodservice professionals, house parents and other staff will be encouraged to serve as role models by practicing healthy physical activity habits.
Other School Based Activities Goals
ISBVI sets the following guidelines concerning all foods and beverages available during the day including all school based activities:
1. Activities, such as tutoring or club meetings, shall not be scheduled during mealtimes unless students may eat during those meetings.
2. ISBVI shall schedule mealtimes so there is minimum disruption by bus schedules, recess, and other special programs or events.
3. Students are discouraged from sharing their foods or beverages with one another during meal times given concerns about allergies and other restrictions on some students' diets.
4. The food service program shall comply with federal and state regulations pertaining to the selection, preparation, consumption, and disposal of food and beverages as well as to the fiscal management of the program.
5. The food service program shall meet the requirements set forth by the reimbursable school meals guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
6. All foods available to students during school food service hours shall comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including competitive foods available to students in the Student Center or from vending machines.
7. Per state and federal guidelines students are not permitted to purchase (and if at all possible consume) soft drinks and foods of minimal nutritional value as defined by 7 CFR 210.11 during the hours of 7:30 am to 3:45 pm.
8. All foods available to students during programs other than the food service programs, shall be served in consideration for promoting student health and well-being.
9. All food service personnel shall receive pre-service training in food service operations.
10. Continuing professional development shall be provided for all staff of food service operation.
11. Food from restaurants and soda pop will not be permitted to be brought into the school by a parent or student for their student’s or their own breakfast or lunch that will be eaten in the cafeteria.
12. Dining areas will be clean, safe, and attractive.
13. A la carte, beverage, and vending machine sales will meet the state requirements and nutrition standards set forth under Senate Enrolled Act 111/Public Law 54.
14. Healthy food and beverage choices will be offered in vending machines and encouraged at concession stands and at other school functions.
15. The school will encourage parents to provide healthy snacks and treats, or non-food items, when supplying items for classroom celebrations.
16. All meals served will comply with federal, state, and local Board of Health requirements.
17. The food service department will strive to increase participation in the available federal Child Nutrition programs, such as the National School Lunch Program.
18. The identity of students receiving free or reduced priced meal benefits will be protected.
The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired may implement other appropriate programs that help create a school environment that conveys consistent wellness messages and is conducive to healthy eating and physical activity.
Monitoring and Compliance Goals
Adopted by ISBVI Board: 1/14/08
Legal Citations: Section 204 of Public Law 108-265 of the Child Nutrition and WIC
Reauthorization Act of 2004
ISBVI Superintendent: _________________________ ____________
Date signed
ISBVI Board Chairperson: ________________________ _____________
Date signed