Code: EFA
Adopted: 11/8/2022

The ESD is committed to the optimal development of every student and believes that a positive, safe and health-promoting learning environment is necessary for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental and social success.

To help ensure students possess the knowledge and skills necessary to make healthy choices for a lifetime, the superintendent shall prepare and implement a comprehensive ESD nutrition program consistent with state and federal requirements for ESDs sponsoring the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or the School Breakfast Program (SBP). The program shall reflect the Board’s commitment to providing adequate time for instruction that fosters healthy eating through nutrition education and promotion, serving healthy and appealing foods at ESD schools, developing food-use guidelines for staff and establishing liaisons with nutrition service providers, as appropriate.

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Implementation

The ESD shall manage and coordinate the implementation of this local wellness policy.

The Implementation will consist of, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Delineating roles, responsibilities, actions and timelines specific to each school;
2. Generating and disseminating information about who will be responsible to make what change, by
   how much, where and when;
3. Establishing standards for all foods and beverages provided (but not sold) to students during the school day.
4. Establishing standards and nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages sold to students during
   the school day on participating school campuses that meet state and federal nutrition standards for NSLP and SBP, competitive foods, permit marketing of same that meets the competitive food
   nutrition standards, and promotes student health and reduces child obesity; and
5. Establishing specific goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity[, physical
   education] and other school-based activities that promote student wellness.

The Board designates the ESD principal(s) to be responsible for ensuring each school meets the goals outlined and complies with this policy.

Record Keeping

The ESD will retain the following records to document compliance with the local wellness policy requirements at the ESD’s administrative offices:

1. The written local wellness policy;
2. Documentation to demonstrate the policy has been made available to the public;
3. Documentation of efforts to review and update the local wellness policy, including an indication of
   who participates in the update and the methods the ESD uses to make stakeholders aware of their
   ability to participate;
4. Documentation to demonstrate compliance with the annual public notification requirements;
5. Documentation of the ESD’s most recent assessment on the implementation of the local wellness
   policy;

Notification of Policy

The ESD will inform the public about the content and implementation of the local wellness policy, and
post the policy and any updates to the policy on the ESD website annually. Included will be, if available,
the most recent assessment of the implementation, and a description of the progress being made in
attaining the goals of the policy. The ESD will publicize the name and contact information of the ESD or school official(s) leading and coordinating the policy and information on how the public can get involved with the local wellness policy. This information will be published on the ESD’s website and in ESD communications.

Triennial Progress Assessments

At least once every three years, the ESD will evaluate the implementation of this policy and its progress
with a triennial assessment and produce a progress report that will include:

1. The extent to which schools under the jurisdiction of the ESD are in compliance with the policy;
2. The extent to which the ESD’s policy compares to model local school wellness policy; and
3. A description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the ESD’s policy.

The ESD will publish the triennial progress report on the ESD website when available. The ESD will
update or modify the policy based on results of the triennial assessment.

Community Involvement, Outreach and Communications (Review of, and Updating Policy)

The ESD will actively communicate ways in which the community can participate in the development,
implementation and periodic review and update of the local wellness policy. The ESD will communicate information about opportunities. The ESD will ensure that communications are culturally and linguistically appropriate to the community.

Parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the Board, school administrators, and the general public will be solicited to participate in the periodic review and update of the local school wellness policy.

NUTRITION PROMOTION AND NUTRITION EDUCATION

 Nutrition promotion and nutrition education positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by using
evidence-based strategies and techniques and nutrition messages and by creating food environments that support healthy nutrition choices.

To promote nutrition education in the schools, the principal is responsible for ensuring the following goals are implemented:

1. Nutrition education is provided throughout the student’s school years as part of the ESD’s
   age-appropriate, comprehensive nutrition program, and is aligned and coordinated with the Oregon
   Health Education Standards and school health education programs;
2. Nutrition education will include culturally relevant, participatory activities that include social
   learning strategies and activities that are aligned and coordinated with the Oregon Health Education
   Standards and school health education programs;
3. Teachers will receive curriculum-specific training;
4. Parents and families are encouraged through school communications to send healthy snacks/ meals and reusable water bottles with their student to school;
5. Families and community organizations are involved, to the extent practicable, in nutrition education;
6. Nutrition education homework that students can do with their families is assigned (e.g., reading and
   interpreting food labels, reading nutrition-related newsletters, preparing healthy recipes);
7. Materials on how to assess one’s personal eating habits, set goals for improvement and achieve those goals.

Nutrition promotion, including marketing and advertising nutritious foods and beverages to students, will be implemented consistently through a comprehensive and multi-channel approach, (e.g., in the classroom, cafeteria and at home) by staff, teachers, parents, students and the community.

To ensure adequate nutrition promotion, the following goals will be implemented:

1. Information about availability and location of a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is
   distributed;
2. Nutrition promotion materials are sent home with students, published on the ESD website, and
   distributed at parent-teacher conferences;
3. Families are invited to attend exhibitions of student nutrition projects or health fairs;
4. Physical activity is a planned part of all school-community events.

School Meals

 Schools within the ESD may participate in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) child nutrition
program(s), administered through the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), which may include the
NSLP the SBP, Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP),After School Snack Program (ASSP),Special
Milk Program (SMP),Summer Food Service Program (SFSP),Supper programs or others. The ESD also
operates additional nutrition-related programs and activities including Farm-to-School programs, school gardens, Breakfast in the Classroom, Mobile Breakfast carts or Grab ‘n’ Go Breakfast.

The school’s available meal program(s) operate to meet meal pattern requirements and dietary
specifications in accordance with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and applicable federal laws and
regulations.

The principal(s) will support nutrition and food services operation as addressed in Board policy EFAA – ESD Nutrition and Food Services and its accompanying administrative regulation EFAA-AR –
Reimbursable Meals and Milk Programs.

Water

Free, safe, unflavored, drinking water will be available to all students throughout the school day and
throughout every school campus. The ESD will make drinking water available where school meals are
served during mealtimes.

Competitive Foods and Beverages

The ESD controls the sale of all competitive foods. 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 Smart Snacks Standards.¹ 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, snack or food carts and fund raising.

Celebrations and Rewards/Incentives

All foods and beverages offered on the school campus [will meet or exceed] [are encouraged to meet] the nutrition standards set by the USDA and the Oregon Smart Snacks Standards. This includes, but is not limited to, celebrations, parties, and classroom snacks brought by parents. This information will be
conveyed to staff and parents. 

Fund Raising

Foods and beverages that meet or exceed the nutrition standards set by the USDA and the Oregon Smart Snacks Standards may be sold through fund raisers on the school campus during the school day. Such requests to conduct a fund raiser will be submitted to the principal for approval before starting.

Food and Beverage Marketing in Schools

Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus during the school day will meet or exceed the nutrition standards for competitive foods set by the USDA.

The ESD (i.e., school nutrition services, athletics department, PTA, PTO) will review existing contracts,
new contracts and equipment, and product purchase or replacement to reflect the applicable food and
beverage marketing guidelines.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

 A quality physical education program is an essential component for all students to learn about and
participate in physical activity. The ESD will develop and assess student performance standards and
program minute requirements in order to meet ODE’s physical education content standards and state law.

Physical activity should be included in the school’s daily education program for grades pre-K through 12 and include regular, instructional physical education, as well as co-curricular activities and recess.

In order to ensure students are afforded the opportunity to engage in physical education and physical
activity in the school setting, the following goals are established:

1. Staff encourages and provides support for parental involvement in their children’s physical
   education;
2. Physical education courses will be the environment where students learn, practice and are assessed
   on developmentally appropriate knowledge, skills and confidence to become physically literate;
3. Instruction, provided by adequately prepared teachers, i.e., licensed or endorsed to teach physical
   education, will meet the state adopted academic content standards for physical education (Oregon
   Revised Statute (ORS) 329.045). Teachers of physical education shall regularly participate in
   professional development activities annually;
4. Physical activity will be integrated across curricula and throughout the school day. Movement will
   be made a part of all classes or courses as part of a well-rounded education;
5. Physical activity during the school day (including, but not limited to, recess, classroom physical
   activity breaks or physical education) will not be used as a punishment or a reward;
6. Physical activity is a planned part of all school-community events;
7. Materials promoting physical activity are sent home with students and published on the ESD
   website.

A student with a disability shall have suitably adapted physical education incorporated as part of their
individualized education program (IEP) developed under ORS 343.151. A student who does not have an IEP but has chronic health problems, other disabling conditions or other special needs that preclude them from participating in regular physical education instruction, shall have suitably adapted physical education incorporated as part of their individualized health plan, developed by the ESD.

Other Activities that Promote Student Wellness

The ESD will integrate wellness activities throughout the entire school environment. The ESD will
coordinate and integrate other initiatives related to physical activity, physical education, nutrition and other wellness components so all efforts are complementary, not duplicated and work toward the same set of goals promoting student well-being, optimal development and strong educational outcomes.

The ESD will provide the following activities and encourage the following practices which promote local wellness:

1. Scoliosis screenings;
2. Safe Routes to Schools Program;
3. Physically active family and community engagement activities for families to learn about healthy
   eating or to practice being active together (e.g., skate night, fun run, dance night);
4. Nonfood-related fund raisers;
5. Physical activity energizers during transitions from one subject to another;
6. Intramural sports;
7. Monthly/Weekly school walks;
8. Assemblies which focus on wellness issues such as the importance of breakfast, healthy beverages, and how students and staff can incorporate 60 minutes of physical activity into their day;
9. Use of alternates to food as rewards in the classroom;
10. Creation of connections between out-of-school time (OST) programs that involve staff members
    from OST programs, both school- and community-based, in school initiatives that address healthy
    eating, such as school wellness teams or wellness committees;
11. Integration of social, emotional and mental health supports into school programs (e.g., promote a
    positive school climate where respect is encouraged and students can seek help from trusted adults);
12. Communication between classroom teachers and nutrition staff, so that menus and nutrition
    promotion can be tied into classroom learning and coursework;

Employee Wellness

The ESD encourages staff to pursue a healthy lifestyle that contributes to their improved health status,
improved morale and a greater personal commitment to the school’s overall wellness program. Many
actions and conditions that affect the health of staff may also influence the health and learning of students. The physical and mental health of staff is integral to promoting and protecting the health of students and helps foster their academic success. The ESD’s Employee Wellness Program will promote health, reduce risky behaviors of employees and identify and correct conditions in the workplace that can compromise the health of staff, reduce their levels of productivity, impede student success and contribute to escalating health-related costs such as absenteeism.

The ESD will collaborate with community partners to identify programs, services and/or resources to
compliment and enrich employee wellness endeavors.

The ESD’s Employee Wellness Program may include the following:

1. Health education and health promoting activities that focus on skill development and lifestyle
   behavior that change along with awareness building, information dissemination, access to facilities, and are preferably tailored to employees’ needs and interests;
2. Safe, supportive social and physical environments including organizational expectations about
   healthy behavior, and implementation of policy that promotes health and safety and reduces the risk of disease;
3. Linkage to related programs such as employee assistance programs, emergency care and programs that help employees balance work life and family life;
4. Education and resources to help employees make decisions about health care; and
5. Nutrition and fitness educational opportunities that may include but are not limited to, the
   distribution of educational and informational materials, and the arrangement of presentations and
   workshops that focus on healthy lifestyles, health assessments, fitness activities and other
   appropriate nutrition and physical activity related topics.

The ESD encourages participation from all employees. “Employees” are not limited to instructional staff (i.e., teachers and instructional assistants), but includes all administrators and support staff.

The following groups are seen as essential for establishing, implementing and sustaining an effective
employee wellness program:

1. School personnel who implement existing wellness programs in the ESD (i.e., employee wellness
   committee);
2. ESD personnel who implement health programs for students (e.g., school health coordinator, school nurses, psychologist, health and physical educators, nutrition professionals, counselors and other staff); and
3. Decision makers who have the authority to approve policy and provide administrative support
   essential for a school wellness program ( e.g., Board members, superintendents, human resource
   administrators, fiscal services administrators and principals).

DEFINITIONS

1. “Competitive food” means all food and beverages other than meals reimbursed under programs
   authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act
   available for sale to students on the school campus during the school day.
2. “Food and beverage marketing” is defined as advertising and other promotion in schools. Food and
   beverage marketing often includes an oral, written or graphic statement made for the purpose of promoting the sale of a food or beverage product made by the producer, manufacturer, seller or any other entity with a commercial interest in the product.
3. “Oregon Smart Snacks Standards”2 means the State’s minimum nutrition standards for competitive foods and beverages (ORS 336.423).
4. “School day” means, for the purpose of competitive food standards implementation, the period from the midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day[, i.e., at the conclusion of afternoon student activities, such as athletic, music or drama practices, clubs, academic support and enrichment activities.
5. “School campus” means, for the purpose of competitive food standards implementation, all areas of property under the jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to students during the school day.

^{1, 2} Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Smart Snacks Standards

END OF POLICY

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Legal Reference(s):     

• ORS 327.537
• ORS 329.496
• ORS 329.531                                                                                                                                                         
• ORS 334.125
• ORS 336.423
• OAR 581-051-051-0100
• OAR 581-051-051-0305
• OAR 581-051-051-0306
• OAR 581-051-051-0310
• OAR 581-051-051-0400
• Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, 42 U.S.C. § 1758b (2018).
• National School Lunch Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 210 (2022).
• School Breakfast Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 220 (2022).