Board approves policy to combat obesity
By STEVE SMITH Times Staff Writer
“I think it's a good deal,” Jim Waugh said - but then, he chuckled, he could hear someone asking if that meant they weren't going to be allowed to have birthday cake anymore.
There will be no “food police,” Julie Jensen said; because what this is all about is “healthy food choices” - with “choice” being the word of emphasis.
Waugh is a member of the school board of El Dorado USD 490; Jensen is the district's school improvement coordinator.
When the school board held its regular June meeting its agenda “menu” did indeed include food.
Board members gave their approval to a student wellness policy and accompanying wellness guidelines manual.
The policy and manual were developed by a district wellness committee, and came about as the result of the requirement to comply with the provisions of a Senate bill passed by the Kansas Legislature.
The policy and manual pertain to providing healthful foods and beverages; physical activities; and wellness education.
They have the primary goal of preventing and reducing childhood obesity.
According to the introduction to the manual, it is “intended to set forth guidelines for use by all school staff, families and members of the community to help make significant progress in solving the nutritional problems of children.
“Schools have especially important critical roles to play” in addressing that issue, according to the manual.
Building principals will have the responsibility to ensuring building compliance with student wellness policies and guidelines.
“Staff and students will view physical activity as a positive healthy lifestyle choice,” the manual states, and therefore use or withholding of various forms of physical activity will not be a form of punishment.
“Where vending or school stores are available to students,” the manual states as it addresses vending criteria, the sale of ‘foods of minimal nutritional value' is not allowed where school meals are served or eaten during the meal period.
“Water and/or electrolyte replacement beverages sold in vending machines will be available when possible.”
The manual also looks at health codes and classroom food safety.
It also has a number of “healthy ideas” for classroom snacks and parties.
“Snacks are important for providing children with nutrients to support growth and learning,” the manual states.
“Parties are an opportunity to celebrate. With a little imagination, snacks and parties can be fun and still provide healthy, nutrient-rich foods.”
Oh, yes; about that birthday cake - “once in awhile,” according to the portion of the manual which looks at healthy classroom snacks/parties ideas, “a piece of birthday cake can fit into a healthy diet.
“However, if each student brings in cake for his or her birthday, eating cake becomes a regular occurrence.”
One suggestion offered is to “keep cake a ‘sometimes' food” by “having all students with birthdays in the same month celebrate on one day.
“Another idea is to limit parties with cake and other sugary or high fat foods to once a month or less, and/or provide alternative foods for children with special dietary needs, including allergies and diabetes.”
Alternatives to using food as a reward, as well as a list of non-food items for fundraising and a list of healthy foods and beverages for fundraisers, are also contained in the manual.
USD 490 Superintendent Tom Biggs said he was “very pleased” with the policy and manual, adding “a lot of effort” went into their development.
Monday board agenda
Food will again be on the school board's agenda Monday night when it holds its July regular monthly meeting.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the board room of the district offices, 124 W. Central.
Among items on the board's agenda is setting of school breakfast and lunch prices.
School board members are also scheduled to consider textbook rental and drivers education fees.
Monday night's meeting will also be the occasion for reorganization of the board for the 2006-07 term.
A new board president and vice president will be elected.
Also to be appointed will be a board clerk and assistant clerk; treasurer; food service program representative; hearing officer for free and reduced meal applications; governmental relations representative to the Kansas Association of School Boards; ex officio representative to the PIE (Partners in Education) board; ex-officio representative and alternate to El Dorado Inc.; and district Freedom of Information officer.
The board will also be designating representatives to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System and setting its 2006-07 meeting dates.
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