Policy 5580 – School Wellness

Nutrition and physical activity are known to influence a child’s development, potential for learning, overall sense of well-being, and risk of illness through adulthood. Students who practice good nutrition and engage in daily physical activity attend school with bodies and minds ready to take advantage of the learning environment. The District, therefore, encourages all members of the community to help create and support a school environment that emphasizes healthy, life-long habits of good nutrition and physical activity.

The District shall also maintain, implement, and inform the school community and general public about a local school wellness policy that meets the requirements of federal law. The local school wellness policy required by federal law (hereinafter referred to as the District’s “Wellness Plan”) is a written plan that includes methods to promote student wellness, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and provide assurance that school meals and other food and beverages sold and otherwise made available to students on the school campus during the school day are consistent with applicable minimum nutritional guidelines and standards.

Various stakeholders will be given the opportunity to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and updating of the District’s Wellness Plan. However, the content of the Plan is subject to the School Board’s review and approval; and the Board retains authority to modify the specific content of the Wellness Plan and to accept, reject, or modify recommendations for updates and other changes.

The Board delegates primary administrative oversight of this policy and the District’s Wellness Plan to the director of food services and the coordinator of athletics, physical education, health, recreation, and senior center, who shall:

  1. Direct and monitor the District-wide implementation of the District’s Wellness Plan and related nutrition guidelines, including monitoring school-level compliance with the Plan;
  2. Oversee the periodic evaluation of the Wellness Plan and its implementation at least as often as such formal assessments are required under applicable regulations, including having primary responsibility for ensuring the timely preparation of a written report following each such assessment;
  3. Ensure opportunities for stakeholder group involvement in the development, implementation, and periodic review and updating of the District’s Wellness Plan in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of applicable federal regulations and the specific content of the Wellness Plan;
  4. Keep the Board and the broader community informed of the Wellness Plan; the District’s and each applicable school’s progress toward achieving Wellness Plan goals; and any recommendations for changes and improvements to the Plan, including any changes that are based on the results of a formal assessment; and
  5. Establish record keeping procedures that are consistent with applicable federal regulations and any Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction guidelines.

Nothing in this policy or in the District’s formal Wellness Plan shall be construed to prohibit District schools from undertaking additional school-level wellness initiatives, provided that such initiatives (1) do not either conflict with the formal Wellness Plan or unilaterally supplant or replace portions of the plan and (2) have otherwise been properly authorized within the District. However, the Board strongly encourages the administration and staff at individual schools to coordinate their student wellness initiatives with the formal Wellness Plan for the benefit of documenting such efforts and sharing ideas across the entire District.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement and Program Complaint Information

Refer to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nondiscrimination Statement online at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/civil-rights/usda-nondiscrimination-statement-other-fns-programs.

LEGAL REF.:

  • Wisconsin Statutes
  • Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (School wellness policy and child nutrition program requirements
  • Health Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
  • WISCONSIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE:
  • FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS:
    • 42 U.S.C. §1758b [statutory school wellness policy requirements]
    • 42 U.S.C. Ch. 13 [National School Lunch Act provisions, generally]
    • 7 C.F.R. Part 210 [USDA regulations implementing the National School Lunch Act, as amended, including the local school wellness policy regulations]
    • 7 C.F.R. Part 220 [USDA regulations implementing the School Breakfast Program under the Child Nutrition Act, as amended]

CROSS REFERENCE:

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS: None

AFFIRMED: April 24, 2006

REVISED:

  • April 27, 2015
  • July 23, 2024

Rule 5580 – School Wellness

The Kenosha Unified School District Wellness Plan applies to all District schools. The Wellness Plan outlines the District’s approach to ensuring appropriate environments and purposeful opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and to engage in physical activity. The plan seeks to provide opportunities for all interested members of the school and local community to become engaged in and contribute to this important work.

  1. Designated In-District Wellness Plan Leadership
    The director of food services and the coordinator of athletics, physical education, health, recreation and senior center have primary responsibility for the District-wide implementation and oversight of the District’s Wellness Plan.
  2. Locally Selected Wellness Plan Goals
    To promote the health and well-being of District students, the District Wellness Plan includes measurable goals and is available on the Kenosha Unified School District webpage.
  3. Physical Education Curriculum
    A quality physical education program is an essential component of the district’s wellness activities. Physical activity provides an opportunity for self-expression and social interaction and can be enjoyable, challenging, and fun. These benefits entice students to continue participation in physical activities throughout their lifetimes. Elementary children derive pleasure from movement sensation and experience different challenges as they sense a growing competence in their movement ability. At the middle level, participation in physical activity provides important opportunities for challenges, social interaction and group membership as well as opportunities for continued personal growth in physical skills and their applied settings. Participation at the high school level continues to provide enjoyment and challenges as well as opportunities for self-expression and social interaction. As a result of these intrinsic benefits, students will have the knowledge base to actively pursue lifelong physical activities that meet their own needs.
  4. Health and Nutrition Education Curriculum goals for grades 1 through 12 include the following:
    1. Eating habits
    2. Nutrients
    3. Dietary guidelines
    4. My Plate
    5. Portion sizes
    6. Product labeling
    7. Body awareness
    8. Eating disorders
    9. Alternative dieting
    10. Diet supplements
    11. Food safety
    12. Food allergies
    13. Food sensitivities
  5. The Family and Consumer Sciences Curriculum will support the philosophy that lifelong quality of life is dependent on students having the knowledge of nutrition and food needs for all age groups. Since the family is responsible for meeting food needs, students must understand the effects of technology on food, current health problems related to diet, and the social and cultural influence on food and resources.
  6. Schools will use nonfood items as rewards for academic performance or good behavior for individuals or classrooms.
  7. Schools will not use food or any restrictions of foods as a consequence for negative student behavior or academic performance.
  8. Schools will promote positive nutrition and healthy behavior.
  9. Business, Information Technology and Marketing courses (school stores) will support the district’s wellness policy by complying with the Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in Schools (also known as the Smart Snack Rules).
  10. Standards and Nutrition Guidelines for Foods and Beverages Available to Students
    The following nutrition standards and guidelines (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-07-29/pdf/2016-17227.pdf) apply to foods and beverages offered for sale to students on school premises before the start of the school day, during the official school day, and within 30 minutes after the official school day:

    1. Reimbursable meals offered in any federally-subsidized school meal program shall meet the statutory and regulatory nutrition standards established for such meals.
    2. Foods and beverages sold to students outside of the school meal programs shall meet at least the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) minimum nutrition standards for such items (also called the “smart snacks” or “competitive food” standards), including all permissible exemptions and exceptions that are identified in the regulations or otherwise expressly allowed by the USDA. These standards apply, for example, to a la carte options in cafeterias, vending machines that are accessible to students, and items sold in school stores or on snack carts.
    3. Vending machines may be made available for the use of middle and high school students.
    4. Both the federal standards and this Wellness Plan allow a building principal or another administrative-level designee to approve (to the extent authorized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction) a limited number of exempt student organization fundraisers involving the sale of food or beverage items that do not meet any minimum nutrition standards. DPI currently allows up to two approved exempt fundraisers per student organization per school year, with each such fundraiser lasting no longer than two weeks. However, an approved exempt fundraiser may not take place in the food service area during any school meal period. In addition, an authorized exempt fundraiser must adhere to all other District policies and procedures related to fundraisers.
    5. Foods that, with appropriate District approval, are ordered and delivered at school or through a school-related activity but that are not intended to be (and that, due to packaging, preparation requirements, etc., cannot reasonably be) consumed on school premises (such as a frozen pizza fundraiser) are not subject to any specific nutrition standards or time or location restrictions regarding orders or deliveries under this local Wellness Plan.
  11. Foods Provided or Distributed, but Not Sold, to Students
    The following standards and guidelines apply to foods and beverages that are provided or distributed (but not sold) to students on school premises before the start of the school day, during the official school day, and within 30 minutes after the official school day:

    1. Any beverages that are not Smart Snacks should not be served or distributed to students during the school day without first receiving written permission from the building principal. All schools must also be aware of and adhere to federal requirements regarding the availability of free drinking water for students.
    2. Teachers and students are encouraged to offer or distribute healthy snacks and treats for student birthday celebrations, classroom parties, and other similar events. Healthy snack ideas include, but are not limited to, items such as the following:
      1. Fresh fruit or fruit cups
      2. Trail/cereal mixes (no candy included)
      3. Fresh vegetables and low-fat dip
      4. Yogurt
      5. Dried fruits
      6. Pretzels
      7. String cheese/cheese cubes
      8. Popcorn
      9. Whole grain crackers
      10. Low-fat muffins
      11. Other low-fat crackers

      During occasional celebrations (birthday observances, classroom parties, etc.) items of minimal nutritional value that do not meet the federal nutrition standards for “competitive food” sold to students and that also would not qualify as a healthy snack option may, in moderation, be served or distributed to students. School staff, a student’s parent or guardian responsible for initiating such an occasional celebration, shall be encouraged to provide a healthy snack item.

    3. Nothing in this Wellness Plan attempts to create or modify any District or school rules for the foods and beverages that a student brings to school for his/her own consumption.
  12. Marketing of Food and Beverages
    No District official, employee, or agent shall prospectively authorize or allow the marketing of any foods or beverages on a school campus during the school day (including before school and 30 minutes after the close of the instructional day for students) that do not meet the minimum federal nutritional standards for foods and beverages that are sold to students outside of the school meal programs. “School campus” means any area of District property that is accessible to students during the school day. “Marketing” means advertising and other promotions and can include oral, written, or graphic statements/materials that are presented with the purpose of encouraging the sale or consumption of a particular product. Examples of items on which marketing may sometimes be proposed include the exterior of vending machines, trash cans, cups, tray liners, posters, etc. The prohibition on the marketing of certain foods and beverages established in the previous paragraph is clarified and limited as follows:

    1. The limitations on food and beverage marketing do not apply to events or activities that occur on nonschool days or more than 30 minutes after the end of the official school day for students.
    2. The limitations do not apply to materials used for educational purposes in the classroom.
    3. The prospective aspect of the limitations means, for example, that any stock on hand of noncompliant materials may be exhausted and that any noncompliant durable equipment (such as a menu board or a scoreboard in a gymnasium) can continue to be used until it is replaced.
    4. The limitations do not categorically prohibit the display or presentation of marketing materials that identify a general brand that is widely associated with specific products that are considered healthy and other specific products that would be considered unhealthy (i.e., that would not meet the minimum federal standards for “competitive food” sold in schools). However, the degree to which a general brand may be more strongly associated with unhealthy products should be considered in evaluating any specific marketing-related proposal.
    5. Because the minimum federal nutritional standards for foods and beverages that are sold to students at school and outside of the school meal programs include a provision allowing a limited number of approved exempt fundraisers, the marketing limitations do not apply to materials that relate to such fundraisers.
    6. Although students and staff remain subject to any other applicable District rules, the marketing limitations in this Wellness Plan are not intended to be enforced with respect to personal items, such as clothing worn by a student, a lunch bag, a water bottle or thermos, or the packaging on items that are brought from home for personal consumption.
  13. Stakeholder Involvement
    School districts are required to provide opportunities for school administrators, teachers (including physical education and health education teachers), school food service staff, school health professionals (e.g., a registered nurse serving the schools), students, parents and guardians, School Board members, and other interested members of the community to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and updating of the District’s Wellness Plan. The manner in which such opportunities will be provided will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

    1. Wellness Steering Committee
      The Wellness Steering Committee is a formal committee that shall consist of not more than 13 members and that shall be chaired by the director of food services. The committee’s primary charge is to be involved in the periodic assessment, review, and updating of this Wellness Plan, with a particular emphasis on recommending steps to improve District-wide knowledge of and compliance with the plan and on recommending possible changes to the plan (e.g., new or revised goals).
    2. The Wellness Steering Committee shall have the power to identify and recommend individuals to be appointed as formal members of the committee, including filling vacancies, while giving due attention to representation among the specific stakeholder groups identified in applicable federal regulations. However, not every stakeholder group must be represented at all times—particularly when there is a lack of interest. The appointment of any District employee to the committee shall be subject to the approval of the employee’s supervisor, the appointment of any School Board member to the committee shall be made directly by the Board, and all other recommendations for committee membership shall be approved by the District administrator. Any student appointee(s) shall be at least in seventh grade. An appointment may be for a defined term; or, if no specific term is designated at the time of appointment, the appointment shall then be considered ongoing until the committee member is removed (including being replaced to accommodate additional interest in serving) or resigns. Employees serving on the committee in their official District-related capacity may resign their committee membership only with supervisory approval.
    3. The Wellness Steering Committee shall maintain a list of current and historical committee members for at least the period required by the Wisconsin public records law.
    4. The Wellness Steering Committee may recommend the removal of any currently-serving committee member to the District administrator, who shall either approve or reject the recommendation. However, only the School Board may approve the removal of a Board representative when the Board member in question is still actively serving on the Board.
    5. The Wellness Steering Committee shall convene the committee as needed on dates established by the committee or chosen by the chair.
    6. The Wellness Steering Committee shall ensure that the meetings of the Wellness Steering Committee are noticed in compliance with the Open Meetings Law.
    7. The Wellness Steering Committee may determine the extent to which minority positions or multiple options may be presented to District officials for further consideration in situations where there is a disagreement or lack of sufficient consensus among the committee members in regard to particular issues.
    8. Meetings Designed as Stakeholder Awareness and Input Sessions
      The director of food services will periodically hold, attend, and/or help organize meetings for the purpose of gathering input related to the Wellness Plan and its implementation.
    9. Goal-Driven Events and Activities
      In formulating and implementing action steps related to the goals identified in this Wellness Plan, District-level and school-level personnel will attempt to identify specific opportunities for stakeholder input and participation.
  14. Assessing the Wellness Plan and Its Implementation
    The primary means of measuring the implementation of schools’ compliance with the Wellness Plan is through a formal assessment that will occur at least once every three years.Such assessments shall be completed under the direction of the food service director and shall be in line with federal requirements and any applicable requirements of DPI. For purposes of carrying out triennial assessment requirements, the District shall do all of the following:

    1. Complete the Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT) to evaluate how the District Wellness Plan compares to model policy language and best practices for school wellness.
    2. Complete the DPI-required Local Wellness Policy Report Card, which addresses:
      1. The extent to which the District and District schools are in compliance with the District’s Wellness Plan;
      2. The progress made in attaining the goals of the Wellness Plan; and,
      3. The extent to which the District Wellness Plan compares to model policy language and best practices for school wellness.

      The Local Wellness Policy Report Card shall be reviewed and considered when developing any recommended changes to the District Wellness Plan or determining that no specific changes need to be made. Any recommended changes to the District Wellness Plan shall be forwarded for formal District-level consideration and possible District-level approval. The recommended changes may be forwarded by school officials who have school wellness leadership responsibilities and/or on behalf of the Wellness Steering Committee.

      The District’s completed Local Wellness Policy Report Card, along with any recommended changes to the District Wellness Plan, shall be presented to the School Board prior to being communicated to the public as outlined in Section XV below.

      Notwithstanding the formal triennial assessment and reporting process, recommendations to update or modify the Wellness Plan (e.g., to replace a goal that has been achieved) may be brought forward for District-level consideration and possible action (i.e., approval, rejection, or modification) at any time.

  15. Reports and Other Communications Related to the District Wellness Plan
    The primary means that the District will inform the public of the content of the Wellness Plan, the status of implementation efforts, and the outcome of formal assessments will be through a prominent, wellness-themed web page or microsite that is part of the District’s official website. Minimally, the following information will be prominently displayed or clearly linked on a continuous basis and without requiring any login or similar restriction on access:

    1. The names, positions, and contact information of the District-level and/or school-level officials who have been designated as local wellness program leaders.
    2. A complete copy of this Wellness Plan.
    3. A complete copy of at least the two most recent Local Wellness Policy Report Cards (once available).
    4. Information regarding how interested stakeholders can become involved in the development, implementation, review, and updating of the Wellness Plan.

    When electronically posting the above-identified information, the District will give due attention to using accessible formats and to the possible need to provide information in languages in addition to English.

    In addition to electronic posting, at least once annually, the District will actively notify staff and school households of the Wellness Plan and how it can be accessed, and a similar active notice shall be given of the availability of each formal triennial assessment report (Local Wellness Policy Report Card) at the time each such report is completed.

    Additional steps may be taken to draw attention to the web-based resources identified above, including:

    1. Featuring prominent links to the resources on the home pages of school-specific websites or web pages;
    2. Further promoting the availability of the information through school newsletters, District-approved social media accounts, or other District or school communications, and
    3. Mentioning the resources in connection with health- and wellness-related presentations to parents and other community groups.