Policy Level:

In the interest of overall student health and well-being, the goal of the Bremen City Schools is to promote healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning environment. By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, schools contribute to the basic health status of children, and improved health optimizes student performance potential. Bremen City Schools’ policy is to ensure that no child is left behind in its goal to provide healthy school meals, nutrition education, and the opportunity for regular physical activity. When practicable, family members and the community will be involved in supporting and reinforcing nutrition education and the promotion of healthy eating and lifestyles.

Development of Local Wellness Policy: Federal law 108-265 § 204 requires each school system to adopt a Wellness Policy no later than June 30, 2006. In accordance with this law Bremen City Schools has involved parents, students, representatives of the school nutrition program, school administrators, and community members in developing a system-wide wellness policy. The Board supports a healthy environment where children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices and establishes in this policy goals to promote student wellness.

I. Nutrition Guidelines: Healthy eating is demonstrably linked to a reduced risk for mortality and the development of many chronic diseases as adults. The Bremen City Schools Nutrition Program operates under the federal guidelines set for the National School Lunch (NSL) and the National School Breakfast (NSB) programs and shall meet the nutritional standards required by state and federal regulation for reimbursable meals. The system shall provide free and reduced price meals to students according to the USDA criteria for the NSL and NSB programs and shall inform parents of the eligibility standards for such meals.

Vending Sales: Per Georgia State Competitive Foods Policy, no foods of minimal nutritional value will be sold in elementary school until last lunch group is scheduled to return to class. In other schools, no foods of minimum nutritional value in dining, serving, or kitchen areas during mealtime.

1. All vending snacks shall provide snacks that meet at least two, with at

least 50% of the items meeting three of the following:

a. 300 or fewer calories

b. six grams of fat or less

c. one or more grams of fiber

d. at least 10% of RDA of calcium, iron, vitamin A or vitamin C

2. All beverage vending in each school shall include:

a. water

b. 100% fruit juice

c. non-carbonated drinks with less than 150 calories per container

d. no more than 1/3 of the choices will be carbonated drinks

No food or drink items shall be offered in vending machines unless they have been approved by the principal. By the year 2008-2009, only water, unsweetened juice, and low-fat milks will be sold at elementary and middle schools. At high schools, diet sodas will be allowed in addition to water, unsweetened juice, and low-fat milks. Only bottled water will be allowed in the classroom during the school day.

Class holiday parties at the schools shall include healthier options, such as fruit, vegetables, popcorn, pretzels, baked chips, frozen fruit bars, whole grain and/or low fat cookies, etc. All parties and menus must be approved by the principal. NO individual student parties will be permitted at the school.

Fundraising Activities:

Any fundraising requests require both administrative and Board approval. The sale of food items of minimal nutritional value (candy and bakery items such as doughnuts, brownies, cheesecakes, etc.) shall be limited to five (5) fundraisers per year, per school.

II. Nutrition Education: The primary goal of nutrition education in the Bremen City School System is to provide nutrition knowledge and skills in order to influence students’ eating behaviors and physical activity choices. Healthy living skills shall be taught as part of the regular instructional program and provide the opportunity for all students to understand and practice concepts and skills related to the promotion of good health and disease prevention. Towards attainment of this goal:

a. Each school shall provide for an interdisciplinary, sequential skill-based health education program based upon state standards and benchmarks. Students in grades K-12 shall receive nutrition education that is interactive and teaches the skills needed to adopt healthy eating behaviors. Nutrition education shall be offered in the school cafeteria, as well as other school settings.

b. Students shall have access to valid and useful health information and health promotion products and services. Nutrition education shall be integrated into the health education curriculum and the overall school health program.

c. The school system shall provide parent education in nutrition through the schools, as well as through community outreach programs and local media.

d. Students shall have the opportunity to practice behaviors that enhance health and/or reduce health risks during the school day and as part of before or after school programs.

e. Students shall be taught communication, goal setting, and decision making skills that enhance personal, family, and community health.

f. Appropriate nutrition education training shall be provided for school staff.

III. Physical Education and Activity: Physical education shall be taught by a certified physical education teacher. Physical activity shall be provided by a qualified staff member. Physical education and physical activity shall be an essential element of each school’s instructional program. The program shall provide the opportunity for all students to develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to participate in a lifetime of healthful physical activity. The physical education program shall be designed to stress physical fitness and encourage healthy, active lifestyles. The program shall consist of physical activities of at least moderate intensity and for a duration that is sufficient to provide a significant health benefit to students, contingent upon the differing abilities of students. The content and time allotment for physical education classes shall be consistent with state objectives and requirements.

a. Elementary students shall have supervised recess time that includes physical activity

providing that such time does not conflict with academic requirements as set forth by the

State Department of Education. Teachers will incorporate various physical activities

throughout the instructional day to promote a healthier lifestyle.

b. Teachers in P.E. classes shall not use physical activity (i.e., running laps, pushups) as punishment, nor shall regular education teachers withhold opportunities for physical

activity (i.e., recess, P.E. class) as punishment unless it is for misconduct while at play (i.e., time-out in P.E. class). Students shall not be prevented from attending a regularly scheduled P.E. class for remediation or make-up work without the permission of the principal.

c. Physical education shall be complemented with classroom education which shall reinforce the knowledge and self-management skills necessary to maintain a physically active lifestyle. As with nutrition education, training may be necessary for teachers to learn interactive and engaging health lessons at the elementary level.

d. Bremen City Schools shall collaborate with community health liaisons and resources to

promote health and wellness for students, families, staff, and community.

IV. Other School-Based Activities

a. Integrating Physical Activity into the Classroom: In order for students to receive the

nationally- recommended amount of daily physical activity (i.e., at least 60 minutes per day) and for students to fully embrace regular physical activity as a personal behavior, students need opportunities for physical activity beyond physical education class. Toward that end:

1) Bremen City Schools shall support parents’ efforts to provide their children with opportunities to be physically active outside of school. High risk students will be identified through a body mass index (BMI) profile. Students shall be supported in setting and meeting personal fitness goals that result in the achievement and maintenance of a health enhancing level of physical fitness.

2) Support for all students shall include sharing information pertaining to health and nutrition and physical activity through websites, newsletter, school paper, or special events such as walking/running clubs, Log It Program, Project ACES, Bike/Walk to School Days, Field Day, etc. The Board recommends that the high school health class research and publish a newsletter.

3) Bremen City Schools shall make every attempt to utilize physical activity (instead of food) as a reward or incentive whenever possible, example “Walk with the Principal” for Character Stars at the elementary school. Brief exercise breaks throughout the school day to enhance student focus and attention and to increase awareness of the importance of physical activity shall be provided at all grade levels. Schools are encouraged to incorporate interactive learning, such as Energizers Curriculum.

b. Healthy and Safe Environment: A healthy and safe environment for everyone, before,

during, and after school supports academic success. Safer communities promote healthier

students. Healthier students perform better in school and make greater contributions to their communities.

1) School buildings and grounds, structures, buses, and equipment shall meet all current health and safety standards, including environmental air quality, and shall be maintained so as to be inviting, clean, safe, and in good repair.

2) Schools and central offices shall maintain an environment that is free of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

3) Safety procedures and appropriate training for students and staff shall support personal safety and a violence and harassment free environment.

4) Each work site, school, and classroom shall work to create an environment where students, parents/guardians, and staff are respected, valued, and accepted with high expectations for personal behavior and accomplishments.

c. Social and Emotional Well-Being: Programs and services that support and value the social

and emotional well being of students, families, and staff build a healthy school environment.

1) Each school shall provide a supportive environment that includes guidance, counseling, and school social work services that encourages students, families, and staff to request assistance when needed and links them to school or community resources.

2) Students shall be provided the skills to express thoughts and feelings in a responsible manner and give and receive support from others.

3) Students shall be taught to understand and respect the differences in others and how to build positive interpersonal relations.

4) Students and staff shall be encouraged to balance work and recreation and assisted in becoming aware of stressors which may interfere with health development.

d. Staff Wellness: Bremen City Schools highly values the health and well-being of every staff member and will support activities by staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

1) Each school and system site shall be in compliance with drug, alcohol, and tobacco free policies.

2) Each school and system site shall provide an accessible and productive work environment free from physical dangers or emotional threat that is as safe as possible and consistent with applicable occupation and health laws, policies, and rules.

3) Employees shall be encouraged to engage in daily physical activity during the work day as part of work breaks and/or lunch periods, before or after work hours in site sponsored programs or as part of discounted membership in local fitness facilities.

V. Implementation: The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the wellness policy and shall develop procedures for evaluation, including indicators that may be used to measure the schools’ success in meeting the goals set forth herein. In each school, the principal or designee shall be charged with operational responsibility for ensuring that the school works toward meeting the goals set within the wellness policy and shall report on the school’s compliance to the Superintendent or designee. Assessment of this policy will be ongoing, and the policy may be amended, as necessary, at the beginning of the school year.

Bremen City Schools, Bremen, GA

Approved: May 8, 2006