Wellness
NEPN/NSBA Code: JL
The Yarmouth Schools are committed to creating a healthy school environment that enhances the development of lifelong wellness practices to promote healthy eating and physical activity.
Nutrition Education:
Students shall receive nutrition education that teaches the knowledge and skills needed to adopt healthy eating behaviors and is aligned with the federal statutes and the State of Maine laws. Nutrition information and education shall be offered throughout the schools including but not limited to school dining areas and classrooms.
Nutrition Standards:
The district shall ensure that reimbursable school meals meet The National School Lunch Program requirements and nutrition standards found in federal regulations. The School Nutrition Program meals are accessible to all students. The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meals programs (i.e., “competitive” foods and beverages) will meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, at a minimum. The Smart Snacks standards are applicable during the school day, which is defined as “the midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the instructional day."
The Director of the School Nutrition Program will continually strive for improved quality of nutritional value, variety and marketing of healthy food products.
Community and school events held on school property outside of school hours, such as fundraisers, concession stands, public activities, and teachers’ rooms are exempt from adhering to the federal statutes and the State of Maine law as they pertain to foods in competition with the School Nutrition Program. These organizations will be allowed to accrue benefits from the sales of food and beverage. These organizations shall make every effort to include the sale of healthy food choices at such events, and will utilize the list of recommended healthy food choices provided by our School Nutrition Program.
Fundraisers on school property during school hours shall not include food items.
At all school and classroom celebrations, thoughtful consideration will be given to offer healthy food choices. Information shall be sent to parents/guardians, either separately or as part of a school newsletter, reminding everyone of the importance of providing healthy treats for students and/or encouraging the use of non-food treats for classroom celebrations such as: choice of special activity or music for study time, and/or a special dress day. A list of recommended healthy food choices and non-food ideas is available for reference. Foods offered, but not sold in Yarmouth schools, predominantly meet Smart Snacks in school nutrition standards. Exceptions are allowed at the discretion of the building administrator.
To establish healthy attitudes towards eating, food, desserts and candy will not be used as a reward, incentive or punishment with students in the Yarmouth Schools. School personnel will not make candy readily available to students. An exemption may be made by a student’s Individual Education Plan.
To reinforce nutrition education any marketing or promoting of foods and beverages on the school campus during the school day will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
Physical Education and Physical Activity Opportunities
The district’s physical education opportunities shall continue to include the components of a quality physical education program, which equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for lifelong physical activity. Students of the Yarmouth Schools shall have the opportunity to participate regularly in physical activities that contribute to physical fitness, and to understand the short and long term benefits of a physically active and healthy lifestyle.
Maintaining Student Wellness
The Wellness Committee will develop goals to implement this policy and will meet bimonthly to monitor, review, implement, and assess the school’s progress on the District’s Wellness goals. Work will be recorded on the "Wellness Goals" document and the public will be informed of its content and implementation annually. Changes and revisions to this policy will be recommended as needed in the publicly available Triennial Assessment. The Wellness Committee shall include but not be limited to: Director of School Nutrition, Administrator, Educators, Parents (booster group representation), Students, School Committee Member, and School Nurse, and the General Public.
Oversight
The Superintendent of Schools, or designee, will have the authority and responsibility to ensure that each school within the district complies with this policy.
Adopted: February 9, 2006
Revised: May 22, 2008, October 30, 2015, February 11, 2016, November 9, 2017, February 7, 2019, August 11, 2022
