Wellness Policy & Plan

Goal #1 

Schools will educate, encourage and support healthy eating by all students, staff and community of all ages.

• All schools will provide a minimum of 2 nutrition education handouts and engage in 2 nutrition promotion activities per campus per year.

1. All nutrition education will be acquired from credible sources (American Heart Association [AHA], American Diabetes Association [ADA], Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics [AND], United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], School Nutrition Association [SNA], and the Child Nutrition department)
2. Nutrition education will be included by sharing information with families and the community via the Hutto ISD website, parent meetings, and by using the cafeteria as a “learning laboratory” [example: nutrition education displays; taste testing; etc.].

• The coordinated school health team (may include school administrator, nurse, cafeteria manager, etc.) will monitor and promote campus wellness education and activities.

Goal #1

Schools will provide opportunities for students to participate in regular physical activity to promote personal lifelong behavior and maintain physical well-being.

• Provide opportunities for physical activity outside the classroom and/or school day.

Goal #2

Schools will provide opportunities for every student to develop the knowledge and skills for specific physical activities in accordance with district, state and national guidelines.

• State-certified physical education instructors teaching all physical education classes.
• Strive toward physical education classes to have a student/adult ratio not to exceed 45:1. If ratio is greater than 45:1, district must identify manner in which safety will be maintained.
• K-6th grade students shall have a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily, or 135 minutes weekly.
• 7th-8th grade students shall have a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily, or 135 minutes weekly, or 225 minutes over a two-week period.

Goal #1

USDA Nutrition Standards will be used as the standard for guidelines pertaining to foods and beverages made available on school campuses. Nutritional analysis are compiled and maintained on a monthly basis by Food Services Department.

• All foods provided, but not sold, to students during the school day on a school campus will comply with local, state and federal laws and regulations as well as the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Food providers will take every measure to ensure that student access to foods and beverages meets federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines. Food providers will offer a variety of age appropriate healthy food and beverage selections for EC/PK, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools.

Goal #1

The school environment is safe, comfortable and promotes healthy eating practices. At each campus the environment will include:

• Dining areas are clean and attractive and provide enough seating for all students during their lunch time.
• Drinking water is available for all students during meals.
• Food is not used as a reward or punishment for student behavior unless it is detailed in a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
• If food or beverages are used in a learning activity, all laws, guidelines and regulations are met. (Refer to the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy.)

Goal #2

• Adequate time is provided to eat breakfast and lunch from the time the student is seated. [Recommended times by the National Association of State Boards of Education is 10 minutes for breakfast and 20 minutes for lunch.]
• Lunch periods are scheduled as near the middle of the day as possible and are planned to assure that students do not spend too much time waiting in line.
• If meetings or activities are scheduled during meal times, students must be allowed to eat breakfast or lunch.

Goal #1

All foods made available on campus will adhere to food safety and security guidelines.

• All foods made available on campus comply with the federal, state and local food safety and sanitation regulations. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans and guidelines are implemented to prevent food borne illness in schools.
• Every campus promotes/demonstrates appropriate hand washing practices.
• For the safety and security of the food and facility, access to the food service operations are limited to Child Nutrition staff and authorized personnel. For further guidance see the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food security guidelines.
• District administrators, by area of responsibility, are responsible for ensuring local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines are updated and in place.
• District safety, health and security policies and crisis plans are current. Training and communication are provided to staff, students and the community.

Goal #1

School based activities are consistent with local wellness plan goals.

• School-based marketing for food and beverage products is consistent with nutrition education and health goals and aligned with federal, state and local regulations, laws and guidelines. Hutto ISD determines this to be no sale of food items that do not meet Smart Snack Nutrition Guidelines at any time during the day on all campus levels. Food may be given away at any time during the day that doesn’t meet Smart Snacks Nutrition Guidelines, as long as it is not in interference with school meal service and where school meals are served. Sales that meet Smart Snack Nutrition Guidelines are allowed during the school day, as long as it does not compete with meal service times. Fundraising exemptions are limited to six per campus per year.
• After-school activities may encourage and include physical activity and health and wellness information.
• Concessions stands that are held during the day must adhere to the Smart Snack Nutrition Guidelines until 30 minutes after the last class of the day for all students enrolled in school, Per USDA.
• Student Health is supported by the Health Office Staff on each campus coordinating and providing health education, health screenings and helping enroll eligible children into Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
• School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) comprised of parents, teachers, Child Nutrition Services, Nursing Services, PE/Wellness Services, administrators, students and members of the community work together to integrate health curriculum into a coordinated school health program that reflects local values.
• School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) shall report directly to the school board at least once annually, including a written report with information regarding the council’s recommendations, modifications and activities.

Goal #1

The District shall comply with federal requirements for evaluating the wellness plan. Designate one or more school or district officials as appropriate to ensure that each school complies with the local wellness policy.

• The extent to which schools are in compliance with local wellness plan.
• The extent to which local wellness policy compares to a model of local school wellness plan.
• The progress made in obtaining goals of the local wellness plan.
• Makes available to the public an assessment of the local wellness plan.