Federal law requires that certain stakeholders be involved in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the wellness policy.  The District has chosen to use the local school health advisory council (SHAC) to work on behalf of the District to review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques in order to develop and implement nutrition guidelines and wellness goals as required by federal law.  The SHAC will permit the following persons to work with the SHAC on the District’s wellness policy and plan:  parents, students, the District’s food service provider, physical education teachers, school health professionals, Board members, administrators, and members of the public.  The SHAC will solicit involvement and input of these other interested persons by:

1. The Communications department surveys interest of involvement annually.
2. Interested community members sign-up at the District Back to School Fair.
3. Hold Open SHAC meetings, posted on the district website.

Each campus principal is responsible for the implementation of FFA(LOCAL) and this wellness plan at his or her campus, including the submission of necessary information to the SHAC for evaluation.

The Superintendent or his/her designee(s) is the District official responsible for the overall implementation of FFA(LOCAL), including the development of this wellness plan and any other appropriate administrative procedures, and ensuring that each campus complies with the policy and plan.

At least every three years, as required by law, the District will measure and make available to the public the results of an assessment of the implementation of the District’s wellness policy, the extent to which each campus is compliant with the wellness policy, a description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the wellness policy, and the extent to which the wellness policy compares with any state- or federally designated model wellness policies.  This will be referred to as the “triennial assessment.”  

Annual Progress Reports

Campuses will track, analyze and report programs, strategies, activities, and actions to promote wellness and comply with FFA(LOCAL) wellness goals in the areas of nutrition promotion, nutrition education, physical activity, and school based activities. 

1. The District will require at least one wellness goal in each Campus Improvement Plan (CIP).

2. Each campus will track and document progress toward meeting the FFA(LOCAL) wellness goals by reviewing campus-level activities, programs and actions.

3. District will prepare a report on the wellness activities of each campus to present to the SHAC upon their request. 

The SHAC will consider evidence-based strategies when setting and evaluating goals and measurable outcomes.  The SHAC may use any of the following tools for this analysis:

• Campus Improvement Plan reports as relates to the wellness goal of the campus.             
• Smarter Lunchrooms’ website (https://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/healthierus-school-challenge-resources/smarter-lunchrooms)
• Fitnessgram data analysis        http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Schools/Safe_and_Healthy_Schools/Physical_Fitness_Assessment_Initiative/Fitness_Data/  
• Relevant portions of the CDC’s School Health Index (http://www.cdc.gov/healthy schools/shi/index.htm)

To comply with the legal requirement to annually inform and update the public about the content and implementation of the local wellness policy, the District will create a wellness page on its website to document information and activity related to the school wellness policy, including:  ·

1.        A copy of the wellness policy [see FFA(LOCAL)];

3.        Notice of any Board revisions to policy FFA(LOCAL);

4.        Notice of any SHAC meeting at which the wellness policy or corresponding documents are scheduled to be discussed;

5.        The SHAC’s triennial assessment; and

6.        Any other relevant information.

The District will also publish the above information in appropriate District or campus publications.

Records regarding the District’s wellness policy will be retained in accordance with law and the District’s records management program.  Questions may be directed to the Coordinator of Public Education Information Management Systems (PEIMS), the District’s designated records management officer.

All District campuses participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP).  Federal law requires that the District establish nutrition guidelines for foods and beverages sold to students during the school day on each campus that promote student health and reduce childhood obesity.

The District’s nutrition guidelines are to ensure all foods and beverages sold or marketed to students during the school day adhere to all federal regulations and guidance and are designed to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES SOLD

The District will comply with federal requirements for reimbursable meals.  For other foods and beverages sold to students during the school day, the District will comply with the federal requirements for competitive foods.  Competitive foods and beverages are not part of the regular meal programs and occur through sales such as a la carte options or vending machines.  For purposes of this plan, these requirements will be referred to as “Smart Snacks” standards or requirements.  The following websites have information regarding meal and Smart Snacks requirements: 

·  http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards-school-meals

·   http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools-focusing-smart-snacks

·   http://www.squaremeals.org/Publications/Handbooks.aspx (see the Complete Administrator Reference Manual [ARM], Section 20, Competitive Foods)

The District has also incorporated the following stricter standards that are not prohibited by federal or state law:

·  Forney ISD follows the Smart Snack Standards

EXCEPTION-FUNDRAISERS

State rules adopted by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) allow an exemption to the Smart Snacks requirements for up to six days per year per campus when a food or beverage is sold as part of a District fundraiser.  [See CO(LEGAL)]

The District will allow 6 exempted fundraisers annually per campus as determined by the campus principal.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES PROVIDED

There are no federal or state restrictions for foods or beverages provided, but not sold, to students during the school day.  However, each school district must set its own standards.  The District will comply with state law, which allows a parent or grandparent to provide a food product of his or her choice to classmates of the person’s child or grandchild on the occasion of the student’s birthday or to children at a school-designated function.  [See CO(LEGAL)]

In addition, the District has established the following local guidelines on foods and beverages made available to students.  Any foods and beverages given away or otherwise made available to students must meet the Smart Snacks standards, with the exception of celebrations that may occur on campuses up to 3 days each school year.  These celebrations must be approved by the campus principal.

MEASURING COMPLIANCE
The District will measure compliance with the nutrition guidelines by reviewing meal reimbursement submissions from the child nutrition department to the TDA, reviewing foods and beverages that are sold in competition with the regular school meals, reviewing items sold as part of approved District fundraisers, and monitoring the types of foods and beverages made available to students during the school day.

• The District’s food service staff, teachers, and other District personnel shall consistently promote healthy nutrition messages in cafeterias, classrooms, and other appropriate settings.

• The District shall share educational nutrition information with families and the general public to promote healthy nutrition choices and positively influence the health of students.

• The District shall deliver nutrition education that fosters the adoption and maintenance of healthy eating behaviors.

•  The District shall make nutrition education a District-wide priority and shall integrate nutrition education into other areas of the curriculum, as appropriate.

• The District shall provide professional development so that teachers and other staff responsible for the nutrition education program are adequately prepared to effectively deliver the program.

The District will implement, in accordance with law, a coordinated health program with physical education and physical activity components and will offer at least the required amount of physical activity for all grades.  [See BDF, EHAA, EHAB, and EHAC.]

The District will meet the required physical activity in elementary and intermediate school (K-6) grades by providing at least 135 minutes per week of physical education.

At the middle school level, the District will require students, unless exempt due to illness or disability, to be enrolled in physical education or athletics courses for one full year credit in grades seven and eight.

Federal law requires that the District establish goals for physical activity in its wellness policy. 

In accordance with FFA(LOCAL), the District has established the following goal(s) for physical activity.

• The District shall provide an environment that fosters safe, enjoyable, and developmentally appropriate fitness activities for all students, including those who are not participating in physical education classes or competitive sports.

• The District shall provide appropriate staff development and encourage teachers to integrate physical activity into the academic curriculum where appropriate.

• The District shall make appropriate training and other activities available to District employees in order to promote enjoyable, lifelong physical activity for District employees and students.

• The District shall encourage parents to support their children’s participation, be active role models, and include physical activity in family events.

• Physical Education classes shall regularly emphasize moderate to vigorous activity.

Federal law requires that the District establish goals for other school-based activities in its wellness policy to promote student wellness.

In accordance with FFA(LOCAL), the District has established the following goal(s) as part of its student wellness policy to create an environment conducive to healthy eating and physical activity and to promote and express a consistent wellness message.

• The District shall allow sufficient time for students to eat meals in cafeteria facilities that are clean, safe, and comfortable.

• The District shall promote wellness for students and their families at suitable District and campus activities.

• The District shall promote employee wellness activities and involvement at suitable District and campus activities.