Wellness
The Crete Public Schools acknowledge that student and staff wellness plays a critical role in the academic environment. As recommended by the Nebraska Department of Education Healthy Schools Program (July 29, 2016), Crete Public Schools will provide a healthful learning environment by supporting district policy with healthy school meals, healthy competitive foods and beverages, physical and social/emotional education, physical activity, and student and employee wellness.
The Crete Public Schools will provide a comprehensive learning environment to develop and practice lifelong wellness behaviors to promote student and staff health and reduce childhood obesity. School learning environment expectations shall be aligned with federal guidelines, 5417 DISTRICT WELLNESS POLICY, and The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Guidelines shall promote active lifestyles and healthy habits to positively influence student and staff understanding, beliefs, and behaviors related to health education, wellness, and physical activity.
District Wellness Committee
Committee Role and Membership
The District Wellness Committee (DWC) will meet at least two times per year to establish goals for school health and safety policies and programs, including development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the District wellness policy. The DWC membership will represent all school levels and include, but not be limited to: parents and caregivers; students; representatives of the school nutrition program; physical education teachers; health education teachers; general education teachers; school staff; school health professionals or staff; mental health and social services staff; school administrators; school board members; and the general public. To the extent possible, representatives will reflect the diversity of the community.
Leadership
The Superintendent or designee(s) will convene the DWC, facilitate review of and updates to the wellness policy, and ensure each school’s compliance with the policy. Each school will designate a DWC representative to work with building administrators to ensure compliance with the policy. A list of current DWC committee members, with their contact information, will be on the district website and updated as needed.
Nutrition
School Meals
The District is committed to serving healthy meals to children, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat milk; that are moderate in sodium, low in saturated fat, and have zero grams trans-fat per serving (nutrition label or manufacturer’s specification); and to meeting the nutrition needs of school children within their calorie requirements. The school meal programs aim to improve the diet and health of school children, help reduce childhood obesity, model healthy eating to support the development of lifelong healthy eating patterns and support healthy choices while accommodating cultural food preferences and special dietary needs.
All schools within the District that participate in USDA child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and any additional Federal child nutrition programs, will meet the nutrition requirements of such programs. The District may also operate additional nutrition-related programs and activities. All schools within the District are committed to offering school meals through the NSLP and SBP programs, and other applicable Federal child nutrition programs, that:
Are accessible to all students;
Are appealing and attractive to children;
Are served in clean and pleasant settings;
Meet or exceed current nutrition requirements established by local, state, and Federal statutes and regulations. (The District offers reimbursable school meals that meet USDA nutrition standards.); and
Promote healthy food and beverage choices following Smarter Lunchroom techniques.
Staff Qualifications and Professional Development
All school nutrition program directors, managers, and staff will meet or exceed hiring and annual continuing education/training requirements in the USDA professional standards for child nutrition professionals. These school nutrition personnel will refer to USDA’s Professional Standards for School Nutrition Standards website to search for training that meets their learning needs.
Water
To promote hydration, free, safe, unflavored drinking water will be available to all students throughout the school day and throughout every school campus (“school campus” and “school day” are defined in the glossary). The District will make drinking water available to students where school meals are served during meal times.
Competitive Foods and Beverages
The District is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages available to students and staff on the school campus during the school day support healthy eating. Staff are expected to model healthy nutrition habits in the presence of students. The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (e.g., “competitive” foods and beverages) will meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, at a minimum.
Smart Snacks aim to improve student health and well-being, increase the consumption of healthful foods during the school day and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits. A summary of the standards and information and a Guide to Smart Snacks in Schools. A Guide to Smart Snacks in School (azureedge.us)
To support healthy food choices and improve student health and well-being, all foods and beverages outside the reimbursable school meal programs that are sold to students on the school campus during the school day will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks nutrition standards or, if the state policy is stronger, will meet or exceed state nutrition standards. These standards will apply in all locations and through all services where foods and beverages are sold, which may include, but are not limited to, à la carte options in cafeterias, vending machines, school stores, and snack or food carts. Proceeds from competitive food and beverage sales occurring one-half hour before to one-half hour after meal periods shall be directed to Nutrition Services to maintain the integrity of the CPS Nutrition Services Program.
Celebrations and Rewards
All foods offered on the school campus must meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standard. This includes celebrations, parties, and classroom snacks, whether brought by parents or provided by school staff. Food will not be used as an incentive or reward. The District will provide ideas for non-food incentives and rewards.
Fundraising
Foods and beverages that meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards may be sold through fundraisers on the school campus during the school day. The District will make available to parents and teachers a list of healthy fundraising ideas or comparable resources.
Foods that will not be consumed on school premises may be used for fundraising activities