Administrative Rules And Procedures to Implement Policy 507.10

Administrative Rules And Procedures to Implement Policy 507.10

Health Education Rules and Procedures

The Elkhorn School District aims to teach, encourage, and support healthy behaviors by its members. The district will strive to provide health education and engage in health promotion that:

•Is offered at each grade level as part of a sequential and standards-based program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health;

•Is part of not only health education classes, but also developmentally- appropriate classroom instruction in subjects such as math, science, language arts, social sciences, and elective subjects;

•Includes enjoyable, developmentally-appropriate, culturally relevant, and participatory activities that will be presented in a way so that it teaches the students the skills that they will need to adopt healthy behaviors;

•Includes training for teachers and other staff regarding healthy behaviors;

Physical Activity Rules and Procedures

The Elkhorn School District strives for students to receive the nationally recommended amount of daily activity (at least 60 minutes per day) and for its members to fully embrace regular physical activity as a personal behavior. Students will need opportunities for activity in addition to physical education class. Toward that end:

• All students at the elementary level will receive a minimum of 60 minutes of physical education per week. At the middle school level students will receive a minimum of 110 minutes of physical education per week. At the high school level students will graduate with a minimum of 1.5 credits of physical education. At all levels these requirements will include those students with disabilities and special health care needs. A certified physical education teacher will teach all physical education classes. Student involvement in other activities involving physical activity will not be substituted for meeting the physical education requirement;

• All elementary school students will have at least 15 to 20 minutes a day of supervised recess, preferably outdoors, during which schools should encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity verbally and through the provision of space and equipment. Lunch recess will be held prior to lunch whenever possible;

• Classroom education will complement physical education by reinforcing the knowledge and self-management skills needed to maintain a physically-active lifestyle and to reduce time spent on sedentary activities;

• Classroom teachers will provide short physical activity breaks between lessons or classes as well as opportunities for physical activity that can be incorporated into regular subject lessons;

• Schools should discourage extended periods of inactivity. When activities, such as mandatory school wide testing or disciplinary action, make it necessary for students to remain indoors for long periods of time, schools should give students periodic breaks during which they are encouraged to stand and be moderately active;

• All schools will promote extracurricular physical activity programs, such as physical activity clubs or intramural programs. All high schools, and middle schools as appropriate, will offer and promote interscholastic sports programs. Schools will offer a range of activities that meet the needs, interests, and abilities of all students;

• The district physical education staff will conduct developmentally appropriate fitness assessments at least one time per year. Assessment results will be communicated to parents and used to assist students to understand their level of physical fitness.

The district will help promote safe walking routes to and from school when applicable.

Guidelines for food and meals served during the school day.

The Elkhorn School District aims to promote healthy eating habits. To this end:

• The district’s food program shall operate in accordance with the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act as amended as well as all applicable laws and regulations of the State of Nebraska;

• The goal of the district is to provide students with foods that promote student health and reduce childhood obesity;

• The district encourages the consumption of nutrient dense foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products;

• The district will share information about the nutritional content of meals with families and students upon request;

• Food and beverages served outside of reimbursable school meals, are intended to be supplemental and should be consumed in moderation and comply with Smart Snack requirements;

• The school district will have drinking fountains or other accommodations available in all schools so that students can get water at meals and throughout the day;

• Students will be encouraged to wash and/or sanitize their hands before they eat meals or snacks;

• The school district will ensure adequate time for students to eat meals and socialize with friends;

The school district will offer a variety of menu choices to allow students to choose their own meals;

The school district will promote healthy eating habits by:

• Promoting Farm to School activities

• Publishing monthly school breakfast and lunch menus

• Periodic menu themes and special events

• Cafeteria bulletin boards and posters promoting positive eating habits

• Taste testing new products and recipes

• Training staff on positive feeding environments

• Feature and promote healthy foods

Legal Reference:
The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004; 42 USC 1751

Proposed: April 10, 2006
Adopted: May 8, 2006
Revised: November 13, 2017

The changes to this policy were required by the Healthy Hungry Kids Act and the National School Lunch Program. The district is currently doing all of the items listed above, but they are now required to be in our guidelines of our School Wellness Policy.