La Center School District Logo

Policy 6700

Nutrition, Health & Physical Fitness

The Board recognizes that a healthy school environment prepares students for college, careers, and successful futures.  Students who eat well-balanced meals and engage in regular exercise are more likely to learn in the classroom. The Board supports the District’s increased emphasis on nutrition, health and physical education, and physical activity at all grade levels to enhance the wellbeing of the District’s students. Therefore, it is the policy of the Board to provide students with access to nutritious food, emphasize health education and physical education and provide students with opportunities for physical activity.

Wellness Policy

The District, through a wellness committee, will develop and implement a comprehensive wellness policy in compliance with state and federal requirements for Districts participating in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

Nutrition and Food Services Program

The Board supports the philosophy of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program and will provide wholesome and nutritious meals for children in the District’s schools. The Board authorizes the superintendent to administer the food services program, provided that any decision to enter into a contract with a food service management company shall require the approval of the Board. Expenditures for food supplies shall not exceed the estimated revenues.

The Superintendent is responsible for:

  • distributing meal applications and determining eligibility for school meals;
  • protecting the identity of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals;
  • ensuring meals meet USDA meal pattern requirements;
  • ensuring meal periods are in compliance with USDA regulations;
  • establishing a Food Safety Plan;
  • determining meal prices and submitting them to the Board for approval annually;
  • using the full entitlement of USDA Foods;
  • maintaining a nonprofit school food service account;
  • ensuring all revenues are used solely for the school meal program;
  • establishing a meal charge policy;
  • accommodating children with special dietary needs;
  • ensuring compliance with USDA nondiscrimination policies;
  • following proper procurement procedures; and
  • ensuring compliance with the Smart Snacks in School standards.

Health and Physical Education Program

The District’s K-12 health and physical education programs will be aligned with the Washington State Health and Physical Education K-12 Learning Standards and will include, but not be limited to, the development of knowledge and skills to be physically active, to eat nutritiously, to access reliable health information and services, to communicate effectively, and to set health-enhancing goals.

The District will ensure that the following requirements are met:

  • All students in grades one through eight receive an average of one hundred instructional minutes per week of physical education per year.
  • All high school students are required to complete a minimum of three semesters (1.5 credits) of physical education and one semester (.5 credit) of health education.
  • The District will offer a one-credit course or its equivalent in physical education for each grade in the high school program (grades 9-12).
  • All students have equal and equitable opportunities for health and physical education.
  • All students, from kindergarten through grade 12, will participate in a quality, standards-based health and physical education program.
  • OSPI- developed assessments or other strategies will be used in health and physical education, formerly known as classroom-based assessments (CBAs).

 Additionally, school Districts must conduct an annual review of their PE programs. The review must consist of numerous provisions, including:

  • The number of individual students completing a PE class during the school year;
  • The average number of minutes per week of PE received by students in grades 1 through 8, expressed in appropriate reporting ranges;
  • The number of students granted waivers from PE requirements;
  • An indication of whether all PE classes are taught by instructors who possess a valid health and fitness endorsement;
  • The PE class sizes, expressed in appropriate reporting ranges;
  • An indication of whether, as a matter of policy or procedure, the District routinely modifies and adapts its PE curriculum for students with disabilities; and
  • An indication of whether the District routinely excludes students from PE classes for disciplinary reasons. 

As a best practice and subject to available funding, the District will strive to ensure:

  • Students will be moderately to vigorously active for at least 50% of class time during most or all physical education class sessions.
  • All schools will have certificated physical education teachers providing instruction.
  • All schools will have appropriate class sizes, facilities, equipment, and supplies needed to deliver quality health and physical education consistent with state standards.
  • All physical education teachers will be encouraged to participate in professional development in physical education at least once a year.

Physical Activity

Physical education class should not be used or withheld as punishment for any reason. All schools, as a best practice, and subject to available funding, will participate in a multi-component approach by which schools use all opportunities for students to be physically active, such as the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and will provide the following:

  • Quality physical education;
  • Physical activity during the school day (brain boosters/energizers);
  • Physical activity before and after school;
  • Recess (which will not be used or withheld as punishment for any reason);
  • Family and community engagement;
  • Staff wellness and health promotion;
  • Active transportation; and
  • School District facilities.

 

Cross References:       2150 Co Curricular Program

                                    2151 Interscholastic Activities

                                    2161 Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

                                    2162 Education of Students with Disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973

                                    2410   High School Graduation Requirements

                                    3210 Nondiscrimination

                                    3422 Student Sports-Concussion, Head Injury and Sudden Cardiac Arrest

                                    4260   Use of School Facilities

Legal References:       RCW 28A.210.365                       Food choice, physical activity, childhood fitness- Minimum standards- District waiver or exemption policy.

                                    RCW 28A.230.040                       Physical Education – Grades 1-8

                                    RCW 28A.230.050                       Physical Education in High Schools

                                    RCW 28A.230.095                       Essential academic learning requirements and assessments- Verification reports

                                    RCW 28A.235.120                       Meal Programs — Establishment and Operation — Personnel — Agreements

                                    RCW 28A.235.130                       Milk for children at school expense

 

                                    RCW 28A.235.140                       School breakfast programs

                                    RCW 28A. 235.145                      School breakfast and lunch programs –Use of state funds

                                    RCW 28A. 235.150                      School breakfast and lunch programs – Grants to increase participation – Increased state support

                                    RCW 28A.235.160                       Requirements to implement school breakfast, lunch and summer food service programs – Exemptions

                                    RCW 28A.235.170                       Washington grown fresh fruit and vegetable grant program

                                    RCW 28A.623.020                       Nonprofit program for elderly — Authorized — Restrictions

                                    RCW 69.04                                   Intrastate Commerce in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics

                                    RCW 69.06.010                            Food and beverage service worker’s permit — Filing, duration — Minimum training requirements

                                    RCW 69.06.020                            Permit exclusive and valid throughout state — Fee

                                    RCW 69.06.030                            Diseased persons — May not work — Employer may not hire

                                    RCW 69.06.050                            Permit to be secured within fourteen days from time of employment.

                                    RCW 69.06.070                            Limited duty permit

                                    WAC 180-51-068                         State subject and credit requirements for high school graduation – Students entering the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2015

                                    WAC 392-157-125                       Time for meals

                                    WAC 180-50-135                         Physical Education – Grade school and high school requirement.

                                    WAC 180-51-085                         Physical Education Requirement-Excuse

                                    2 CCR Part 200                            Procurement

                                    7 CFR, Parts 210 and 220

                                    7 CFR, Part 245.5

 

Management Resources:        2017 – July Issue

2017 – April Issue

Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program

                                               2015 – June Policy Issue

                                               Recommendations for Waivers in High School Physical Education/Fitness Education, OSPI (September 2013)

                                               2014 – February Issue

                                               Wellness Policy Best Practices, OSPI (January 2013)

                                               Policy News, February 2005     Nutrition and Physical Fitness Policy

                                               Policy News, December 2004   Nutrition and Physical Fitness Update

                                               Alliance for a Healthier Generation Wellness Policies

                                               OSPI Child Nutrition School Wellness Policy Best Practices for Policy Development, Implementation and Evaluation

 

 

 

La Center School District

Adopted: February 27th, 2007; Revised July 24, 2018