Wellness Policy for:

Henry County Schools

Federal Public Law (PL108.265 Section 204) states that by the first day of the 2006 school year beginning after June 30, 2006, all schools must develop a local wellness policy that involves parents, students, representatives from the School Nutrition program, school board, school administrators and the public. The Local Education Authority (LEA) will establish a plan for measuring implementation of the local wellness policy.

The Henry County Schools System is committed to providing a school environment that enhances learning and development of lifelong wellness practices that will promote student health, prevent childhood obesity, and combat problems associated with poor nutrition and physical inactivity.

To accomplish these goals:

  1. School Nutrition programs will comply with federal, state and local requirements and will be accessible to all children.
  2. Sequential and interdisciplinary nutrition education will be provided and promoted. Nutrition education will be integrated into eating experiences and into the curriculum at all grade levels.
  3. All foods and beverages made available on campus (including vending, concessions, a la carte, student stores, parties and fundraising) during the day are consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Nutrition analysis will be available for all menu items online and in each school.
  4. All foods and beverages on school grounds will adhere to food safety and security guidelines.
  5. The dining environment will be safe, comfortable, pleasing and allow ample time and space for eating meals. Food and/or physical activity will not be used as a reward or punishment.
  6. Physical education programs will promote life long participation in physical activity.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Kaiser Family Foundation, as many as 58 percent of all Virginians are overweight or obese, 23 percent do not exercise on a regular basis, and an estimated 25 percent of Virginians smoke or use other tobacco products. In fact, obesity in Virginia has jumped 10 percent in just the last decade -- more than any other state in the nation. ()

Nutrition Standards Goals

Henry County Schools acknowledges that the feeding of children is primarily a family responsibility. In order to supplement the efforts, every school will operate a school nutrition program to ensure that all students have affordable access to varied and nutritious foods they need to stay healthy and learn well. Nutrient analysis for all foods menued is distributed to each school and the information is also located on the website of Henry County Schools. The objectives of the guidelines are to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity.

Healthy Eating Recommendations – as adopted by the HenryCountySchool Board and the School Health Advisory Board (VA Healthy Kid Initiative)

  1. All foods and beverages offered on school grounds will meet or exceed state and federal guidelines. Specified portions will be offered during school lunch and breakfast programs according to the dietary guidelines and nutrient analysis.
  1. All food provided will contain no less than 5% of the daily value per serving of at least one of the eight essential nutrients: iron, calcium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin; thiamine, or riboflavin. Whenever possible, 10% of the daily value per serving is recommended.
  1. Juice beverages will contain 100% fruit juice. Water, fat-free (skim) and low fat (1%) milk, including flavored varieties will be available as a beverage choice.
  1. All snack foods, throughout the cafeterias will contain no more than 300 calories per item. It is suggested that classroom snack activities will feature healthy choices.
  1. All snack foods used in the cafeterias will contain 30% or less fat, except those with nuts or seeds, and less than 35% sugar.
  1. Schools will not offer any competitive food sources, (a la carte), that do not meet federal nutritional guidelines.
  1. School Nutrition Programs will offer a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. Meals including appealing low fat items and food purchasing and preparation practices are used to reduce fat content.
  1. Portioned salads with low-fat or fat-free dressing will be available daily to employees and students for lunch. (Must be pre-ordered in the elementary schools).
  1. Students will have adequate time to eat their school meals: a minimum of 10 minutes for breakfast and 20 minutes for lunch from the time the student is seated.

Nutritional Education:

  1. Nutritional education will be integrated into other areas of the curriculum such as math, science, language arts and social studies. There will be collaboration between the cafeteria and classrooms to reinforce nutrition educations.
  2. The school cafeteria will serve as a “learning laboratory” for nutrition education through the following activities:
  3. A minimum of monthly taste testing of new nutrient-rich food items with nutritional information provided
  4. Bulletin Boards in each cafeteria with fun nutritional facts appropriate for various age levels.
  5. Highlight nutrition information for special food items such as new dishes, vegetarian items and low fat features
  6. School nutrition staff will participate in regular professional development focusing on basic knowledge of nutrition, preparation, and proper serving techniques.
  1. Nutrition education will involve sharing information with families and the broader community to positively impact students and the health of the community. This information will be provided by the central School Nutrition Office to encourage families to teach children about health and nutrition.
  2. Students will be encouraged to start each day with a healthy breakfast.
  3. Menus and nutrition analysis/messages will be posted monthly on the Henry County Schools’ website.

Goals for Other School Based Activities Designed to Promote Student Wellness

BMI (Body Mass Index) information will be collected from K, 3, 5, 7 and 9th grade students during physical education class as part of the cumulative fitness record. School nurses and physical education instructors will conduct annual height and weight screening of the students in grades 3 – 9 as part of the student health record.

All screening data will be plotted on Growth Charts and sent home to all parents of students in grades K, 3, 5, 7 and 9.

A “Health Intervention Team” will be established at each school to assist in health referrals for students whose health status may require additional consultations. Members may include the physical education instructor, school nurse, guidance counselor, classroom teacher and principal. Information that may be included in the consultations is weight management, fitness, personal wellness goals and health planning as a total child approach to improvement and health knowledge. Any student or family may request referral assistance from this intervention team.

Students shall have access to valid health information. Elementary school nurses will have the opportunity to provide classroom instruction that may include: proper hand washing, respiratory disease prevention, dental hygiene and safety. Middle school nurses may disseminate health related information on bulletin boards, school newsletters, etc.

Bottled water will be allowed in classrooms throughout the day to encourage hydration.

Employee health screenings will be offered annually to all employees and their family members over the age of 18.

Employees and their family members over the age of 18 will be encouraged to participate in annual flu injection clinics.

Nurses will assist and support the enrollment of eligible children in Medicaid, FAMIS, and other state children’s health insurance programs.

Schools will value health and well-being of all employees and will plan and implement activities and policies that support personal efforts by employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Nurses will monitor blood pressures for all employees who are interested.

Employees will receive “recertification points” for enlisting in a fitness program and becoming physically active in the program.

10,000 Steps Program –Work with the local Healthy Community Initiative group to implement the program for teachers, staff members, students, etc. to interested parties. Solicit local companies and/or grant money to purchase pedometers for employees and students who are interested in walking.

Review absentee rates with the epidemiologist at the Henry-Martinsville Public Health Department. Excessive absenteeism related to health may be analyzed to determine optimal wellness at each school site and for the school division and community.

Physical Activity Guidelines

School personnel shall develop and implement a comprehensive plan to encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity in students and staff.

  1. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in physical activity during the school day through physical education classes, daily recess periods for elementary school students, and the integration of physical activity into the academic curriculum where appropriate.
  2. Parents will be encouraged to support their children’s participation in physical activity, to be physically active role models and to include physical activity in family events.
  3. Elementary students will receive a minimum of 90 minutes per week of physical activity with a certified physical education teacher.
  4. Middle and high school students will receive, during the semester they are enrolled in a health and physical education class, an average of 150 minutes per week of physical activity with a certified physical education teacher.
  5. All students will be encouraged to participate in before-school and after-school physical activity programs including intramurals, marching band, clubs, and so forth.
  6. A minimum of 70% of students in grades 4-12 will pass the Virginia Wellness-Related Fitness Testing for the 2006-2007 school year. The target pass rate for each subsequent year will increase by a minimum of 5%.
  7. In an effort to inform parents about Wellness-Related Fitness Testing, they will be notified of their children’s initial test results (fall of each school year or start of term/semester for middle/high school) along with suggestions for helping them improve their children’s fitness levels in preparation for final testing (spring of each school year or end of term/semester for middle/high school). In addition, parents will be provided background information about Wellness-Related Fitness Testing, including what is tested, pass rates, and so forth.
Governor’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard

The Governor's Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard recognizes and rewards schools for encouraging healthy habits. The Web-based Scorecard application allows schools to compete locally and on a statewide level to see which school is healthiest. Points are awarded according to their implementation of best practices, including:

  • Providing a minimum of 30 minutes daily recess that promotes physical activity;
  • Encouraging middle and high school students to design their own individualized exercise plans;
  • Creating school- and community-based Fitness or Nutrition Nights;

Schools earn points by completing the scorecard and – if their scores qualify them – they receive a Gold, Silver, or Bronze award for exemplary health practices.

Wellness Policy

Henry County Schools

May 4, 2006