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October 12, 2005
LANSING – The State Board of Education approved Tuesday a model state policy for local school districts to use in developing school district-wide nutrition and wellness policies.
These local school wellness policies are required by federal law for school districts that participates in the national school lunch program. School districts must have their policies in place by July 1, 2006.
“This model state policy is provided to assist Michigan school districts in developing their own local wellness policies,” said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. “Districts can modify this model policy to reflect their local needs and priorities.”
“Healthy children are more healthy and engaged learners. Hitting our stride in academic achievement will be fueled by strong nutrition and wellness programs.”
The State Board recommends that prior to adopting their wellness policies, local school districts involve parents, students, teachers, administrators, food service employees, and the public in the policy-making process.
Nutrition and wellness components suggested in the state’s model policy include:
The district shall encourage students to make nutritious food choices;
Every year, all students preK-12, shall have the opportunity to participate regularly in supervised physical activities, either organized or unstructured, intended to maintain physical fitness and to understand the short- and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthy lifestyle;
Nutrition education shall be offered every year to all students of the district;
Nutrition education topics shall be integrated into the entire curriculum when appropriate;
Food and beverages that compete with the district’s policy of promoting a health school environment shall be discouraged;
The district shall monitor food service distributors and snack vendors to ensure that they provide predominantly healthy food and beverage choices that comply with the district’s policy in all venues;
The district shall encourage health fundraisers as alternatives to fundraising that involve selling food items of limited nutritional value;
Vending sales of soft drinks, artificially-sweetened drinks, and candy will not be permitted on school grounds prior to the start of the school day or throughout the instructional day, but may be permitted at special events that begin after the conclusion of the instructional day;
All employees of the district are encouraged to be a positive healthy lifestyle role model for students by following, at a minimum, the rules of the district policy;
In order to send consistent messages to students, all adults in the school environment are encouraged to make healthy food choices and engage in physical activity.
The State Board’s Model Local Wellness Policy was developed by the Michigan Department of Education, in collaboration with other state and local agencies, organizations, educators, and concerned citizens.
In other action: The State Board approved concepts on the Visions and Principles of Universal Education. This framework is the foundation for policy development by the State Board, the Department, and local and intermediate school districts.
The principles of Universal Education reflect the beliefs that each person deserves and needs a concerned, accepting educational community that values diversity and provides a comprehensive system of individual supports from birth to adulthood. Universal Education aims at removing barriers, providing flexibility and responsive supports, and facilitates life-long learning for all.
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