DOE develops model wellness policy

By the start of the 2006-07 school year, local education agencies are required to develop wellness policies that address nutrition and physical activity. The Department of Education recently convened a group to develop a model wellness policy that meets the new federal requirement. The model policy will be available for schools to use and modify to fit their own needs.

The model policy can be viewed at the School Health website. Comments can be submitted before the final copy is presented to the Board of Education in September.

The four basic components of a wellness policy are:

1. nutrition education goals
2. physical activity goals
3. nutrition standards
4. other school-based activities

As the law indicates, students, parents, school board members, school administrators and representatives from the school food authority should be involved in developing a school wellness policy. The law requires schools to measure how effectively the wellness policy is implemented. It also indicates that schools should designate at least one person – at the school district level or in each school – with operational responsibility for adhering to the policy.

Many schools already have an existing school health council under the Coordinated School Health Program. Others may have a similar council with Team Nutrition. The task of establishing a local wellness policy can involve either a new set of tasks for an existing team, or building a new team if there is no existing structure.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Web site. Or contact Sandra Kangas in the department’s Child and Adult Nutrition Services office at (605) 773-4746.