Nutrition & Wellness

Click here to download a copy of our Wellness Policy

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DuBois Integrity Academy

Local Wellness Policy

 

Introduction

DuBois Integrity Academy recognizes that good nutrition and regular physical activity affect the health and well-being of all students. Furthermore, research suggests that there is a positive correlation between a student's health and well-being and his/her ability to learn. Moreover, schools can play an important role in the developmental process by which students establish their health and nutrition habits by providing nutritious meals and snacks through the schools' meal programs, supporting the development of good eating habits and promoting increased physical activity both in and out of school.

DuBois Integrity Academy is committed to creating school environments that promote and protect the overall well-being of all students and staff. The guidelines listed below encourage a comprehensive wellness approach that is sensitive to both individual and community needs.

Local School Wellness Policy Leadership

School level

DuBois Integrity Academy will establish an ongoing Wellness Committee that will meet a minimum of four times per year to ensure compliance and to facilitate the implementation of DuBois Integrity Academy wellness policy.

• The school Nutrition Director and additional stakeholders shall have the responsibility to comply with federal and state regulations as they relate to the DuBois Integrity Academy wellness policy.

• The Nutrition Director will be responsible for establishing the Wellness Committee that will ensure compliance with the policy.

• The Wellness Committee should include, but not be limited to, the following stakeholders: the Nutrition Director, teachers, school nurse, Dean of Students, registrar, parent liaisons, physical education instructor, and a representative of the Food Service Management Company. We will also invite members of the community to participate, such as local pastors, restaurant owners and local city government officials.

• The Wellness Committee is responsible for:

  • Ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations for competitive food and beverage items sold on the school campus (7 CFR 210.11 and FAC 5P-2.002);

  • Maintaining a school calendar identifying the dates when exempted competitive food fundraisers will occur in accordance with the frequency specified in paragraph (c) of FAC 5P-2.002;

 

• And reporting its school’s compliance of the regulations to the Nutrition Director, the person responsible for ensuring overall compliance with the DuBois Integrity Academy wellness policy.

 

• DuBois Integrity Academy will review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques in establishing goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity and other school-based activities that promote student wellness to include, at a minimum, a review of Smarter Lunchroom tools and techniques.

 

 

Nutrition Promotion

Nutrition promotion can positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by creating food environments that encourage healthy choices and encourage participation in the school meal programs.

• At a minimum, utilize Smarter Lunchroom tools and strategies to promote and reinforce healthy eating in the school environment, ensuring that messages are clear and consistent.

• Increase student awareness of useful nutrition information from brochures, worksheets, handouts and digital content by 20-25%.

• Increase the variety of opportunities that allow parents to engage in support of school wellness initiatives by 20-25%.

• Discover effective ways to communicate school wellness messages and identify healthy eating and active living messages that resonate with parents. Examples may include presentations, newsletters, social media posts, and printed materials which highlight a wellness topic of interest.

• Organizations operating concessions at school functions will promote healthy food choices by introducing several healthier items at a lower profit margin to encourage student selection.

• School food service, in partnership with other school departments and community organizations, will work to creatively market and promote locally-produced food to students, through activities such as:

  • Developing cafeteria themes relating to local farmers and products grown in the region.

  • Developing creative campus fundraisers based on healthy food items, integrating farm-grown produce where appropriate.

 

 

Nutrition Education

Academic performance and quality of life issues are affected by the choice and availability of nutritious foods in our schools. Healthy foods support student physical growth, brain development, resistance to disease, emotional stability and ability to learn.

• The nutrition benchmarks included in Georgia’s Physical Education Standards shall be taught as part of the structured and systematic unit of instruction general education classes (e.g., math, science) where there is a natural fit.

• Students receive nutrition education that is interactive and teaches skills they need to adopt age-appropriate healthy eating behaviors. Classroom lectures, activities and student participation are provided in nutrition and health classes. Classroom written tests (such as multiple choice, essay and fill in the blank) are given in the areas of nutrition. (Example topics include: mindful eating, balanced meals, how to read nutrition facts labels)

• Students will understand how food reaches the table and the implications that has for their health and future.

• The staff responsible for nutrition education will be adequately prepared and participate regularly in professional development activities to effectively deliver an accurate nutrition education program as planned. Preparation and professional development activities will provide basic knowledge of nutrition combined with skill practice in program-specific activities and instructional techniques and strategies designed to promote healthy eating habits.

 

Physical Activity

DuBois Integrity Academy shall ensure that physical activity is an essential element of

each school’s instructional program. The program shall provide the opportunity for all students to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to participate in a lifetime of physical activity.

• All students get 45 minutes of physical education once a seek.

• The MOVE TO LEARN, LET’S MOVE initiative takes place in the classroom 10 minutes per day, where students get active in the classroom by moving to the video series.

• All elementary school students will have at least 20 minutes of daily recess. Each school will provide space, equipment and an environment conducive to safe and enjoyable play.

• Students will have an increase in both the number and variety of physical activity opportunities offered to them.

 

Other School-Based Activities

DuBois Integrity Academy will integrate wellness activities across the entire school setting. These initiatives will include nutrition, physical activity and other wellness components so that all efforts work towards the same set of goals and objectives used to promote student well-being, optimal development and strong educational outcomes.

 

 

General Guidelines

• DuBois Integrity Academy shall consider the components of the Centers for

Disease Control’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model in

establishing other school-based activities that promote wellness.

• The goals outlined by the wellness policy will be considered in planning all school-based activities (such as school events, field trips, dances and assemblies).

• Afterschool programs will encourage healthy snacking and physical activity.

• DuBois Integrity Academy shall actively develop and support the engagement of students, families and staff in community health-enhancing activities and events at the school or throughout the community.

• Each school within DuBois Integrity Academy shall be in compliance with drug, alcohol and tobacco-free polies.

Eating Environment

• Students will be provided an adequate amount of time to consume their meal with a minimum of 20 minutes after receiving their food from the line.

• Each school will work to provide nutritious, fresh, locally grown food that reflects Georgia’s bountiful harvest.

• Convenient access to facilities for hand washing, oral hygiene, an potable water will be available during meal periods.

Employee Wellness

• The DuBois Integrity Academy wellness committee will have a staff wellness subcommittee that focuses on staff wellness issues, identifies and distributes wellness resources and performs other functions that support staff wellness in coordination with human resources staff.

• All staff will be provided with opportunities to participate in physical activities and healthy eating programs that are accessible and free or low-cost.

 

Health Services

• A coordinated program of accessible health services shall be provided to scholars and staff and shall include, but not be limited to, violence prevention, school safety, communicable disease prevention, health screening, including body mass index, community health referrals, immunizations, parenting skills and first aid/CPR training.

Behavior Management

• Teachers and other school personnel will not deny or require physical activity as a means of punishment.

 

Guidelines for All Foods and Beverages Available During the School Day

DuBois Integrity Academy shall operate and provide food service in accordance with

USDA’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP) standards and applicable laws and regulations of the state of Georgia. The guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by USDA.

General Guidelines

• All reimbursable meals will meet nutrition standards mandated by USDA, as well as any additional state nutrition standards that go beyond USDA requirements.

• School meals will include a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including whole grains and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, while accommodating special dietary needs and ethnic and cultural food preferences.

• To the maximum extent possible, all schools in DuBois Integrity Academy will participate in available federal school meal programs, including the SBP, NSLP, ASSP, AMP, and SFSP.

• Free, potable water will be made available to all children during each meal service.

• Schools are encouraged to offer fresh, seasonal, locally grown food at every location on the school site where food is sold and at all school-sponsored events and activities.

 

Competitive Foods

• All foods and beverages sold on the school campus to students outside of

reimbursable school meals are considered “competitive foods,” and must comply with the nutrition standards for competitive food as defined and required in 7 CFR 210.11.

• School campus means, for the purpose of competitive food standards implementation, all areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to students during the school day.

• School day means, for the purpose of competitive food standards implementation, the period from midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day.

• Competitive foods include items sold a la carte in the cafeteria, from vending machines, school stores, snack bars and for in-school fundraisers.

• Unless being sold by DuBois Integrity Academy food service program, it is impermissible for any competitive food item sold to students during the school day to consist of ready-to-eat combination foods of meat or meat alternate and grain products, as defined in 7 CFR 210.10 and 210.11. (FAC 5P-2.002)

• To be allowable, all competitive food items sold to students must meet general nutrition requirements and nutrient standards.

General nutrition requirements for competitive foods:

• Be a grain product that contains 50 percent or more whole grains by weight or have a whole grain as the first ingredient; or

• Have as the first ingredient one of the non-grain major food groups: fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein foods (meat, beans, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, etc.); or

• Be a combination food that contains 1⁄4 cup of fruit and/or vegetable.

• If water is the first ingredient, the second ingredient must be one of the above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nutrient standards for competitive foods:

 

Nutrient Standard

Snack Items and Side Dishes

(including any added accompaniments)

Entrée Items

(including any added accompaniments)

 

Calories

200 calories or less

350 calories or less

 

 

Sodium Limits

200 mg or less

480 mg or less

 

Total Fat Limits

35% or less of total calories

35% or less of total calories

 

Saturated fat

Less than 10% of total calories

Less than 10% of total calories

 

Trans fat

0 g of trans fat as served (less than or equal to 0.5 g per portion)

0 g of trans fat as served (less than or equal to 0.5 g per portion)

 

Sugar

35% of weight from total sugar as served or less

35% of weight from total sugar as served or less

 

Exemptions:

• Any entrée item offered as part of the breakfast or lunch program is exempt if it is served as a competitive food on the day of service or the day after service in the breakfast or lunch program.

• Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables with no added ingredients, except water.

• Canned fruits with no added ingredients except water, which are packed in 100 percent juice, extra light syrup or light syrup.

• Low sodium/No salt added canned vegetables with no added fats.

• Reduced fat cheese, nuts, seeds and nut/seed butters, as well as seafood and whole eggs with no added fat are exempt from the total fat and saturated fat standards.

 

*Refer to 7 CFR 210.11 competitive food service standards for additional exemptions.

 

Nutrition standards for beverages:

Portion sizes listed are the maximum that can be offered.

 

Beverages

Elementary

Middle

High

Plain water

unlimited

unlimited

unlimited

Unflavored low-fat milk

8 fl. oz.

12 fl. oz.

12 fl. oz.

Unflavored or flavored fat-free milk

8 fl. oz.

12 fl. oz.

12 fl. oz.

 

100% fruit or vegetable juice

8 fl. oz.

12 fl. oz.

12 fl. oz.

100% fruit or vegetable juice diluted with water but no added sweeteners

8 fl. oz.

12 fl. oz.

12 fl. oz.

Other flavored and/or carbonated beverages that are labeled to contain 5 calories or less per 8 fl. oz., or 10

calories or less per 20 fl. oz.

 

Not allowed

 

Not allowed

 

20 fl. oz.

Other flavored and/or carbonated beverages that are labeled to contain 40 calorie or less per 8 fl. oz. or 60 calories

or less per 12 fl. oz.)

 

Not allowed

 

Not allowed

 

12 fl. oz.

 

For elementary and middle school students: foods and beverages must be caffeine-free except for trace amounts of naturally occurring caffeine substances. Food and beverages for high school students may contain caffeine.

Standards for food and beverages available during the school day that are not sold to students:

 

• The school will provide parents and teachers a list of ideas for healthy celebrations/parties, rewards and fundraising activities.

• Class parties or celebrations shall be held after the lunch period.

• Schools will limit celebrations that involve food during the school day to no more than two class parties per week.

 

Fundraising

• Fundraising efforts will be supportive of healthy eating by complying with all applicable regulations and nutrition standards for competitive foods while also emphasizing the sale of nonfood items.

• No fundraisers that include the sale of food items will occur until thirty (30) minutes after the conclusion of the last designated meal service period.

School Type

Maximum Number of School Days to Conduct Exempted Fundraisers

Elementary Schools

5 days

Middle School/Junior High Schools

10 days

Senior High Schools

15 days

Combination Schools

10 days

•  The school board is permitted to grant a special exemption from the standards for competitive foods as specified above for the purpose of conducting infrequent school-sponsored fundraisers, not to exceed the following maximum number of school days per school campus each school year:

 

 

• Each school’s Healthy School Team will maintain a school calendar identifying the dates

when exempted competitive food fundraisers will occur. (FAC 5P-2.002)

 

 

Policy for Food and Beverage Marketing

School-based marketing will be consistent with policies for nutrition education and health promotion. As such, the following guidelines apply:

• Schools will only be allowed to market and advertise those foods and beverages that

meet or exceed USDA’s Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

• Marketing activities that promote healthful behaviors are encouraged. Examples may include: vending machine covers promoting water, pricing structures that promote healthy options in a la carte lines or vending machines, sales of fruit for fundraisers and coupons for discounted gym memberships.

• DuBois Integrity Academy will foster a cafeteria environment that promotes healthy eating, including the incorporation of fresh, locally grown foods into student meals.

• DuBois Integrity Academy nutrition department’s replacement and purchasing

decisions will reflect the marketing guidelines mentioned above.

 

 

Evaluation and Measurement of the Implementation of the Wellness Policy

DuBois Integrity Academy wellness committee will update and make modifications to the wellness policy based on the results of the annual review and triennial assessments and/or as local priorities change, community needs change, wellness goals are met, new health information and technology emerges and new federal or state guidance or standards are issued. The wellness policy will be assessed as indicated at least every three years following the triennial assessment.

Triennial Progress Assessments

DuBois Integrity Academy will assess the local school wellness policy to measure wellness policy compliance at least once every three years. This assessment will measure the implementation of the local school wellness policy, and include:

• The extent to which DuBois Integrity Academy is in compliance with the local school wellness policy;

• The extent to which the local school wellness policy compares to model local school wellness policies; and

• A description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the local school wellness policy.

 

Informing the Public

DuBois Integrity Academy will ensure that the wellness policy and most recent triennial assessment are always available to the public. DuBois Integrity Academy will also actively notify households on an annual basis about any updates made to the wellness policy and the availability of the triennial assessment results, as well as provide information to the community about the school nutrition environment.

 

• DuBois Integrity Academy will ensure the most updated version of the wellness policy and triennial assessments are always available on the school website for the public to view.

• DuBois Integrity Academy will present wellness policy updates, as applicable, during meetings with the Parent Teacher Association/Organization, school board, district superintendent, health and wellness committee and other interested groups or stakeholders.

• Wellness updates will be provided to scholars, parents and staff, as applicable, in the form of handouts, DuBois Integrity Academy website, articles and the school newsletter, to ensure that the community is informed, and that public input is encouraged.

• Each school will provide all parents with a complete copy of the local school wellness policy at the beginning of the school year.

 

Community Involvement

DuBois Integrity Academy is committed to being responsive to community input, which begins with awareness of the wellness policy. DuBois Integrity Academy will actively communicate ways in which parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, school administrators, representatives from the local agriculture community, food and nutrition professionals and the public can participate in the development, implementation and annual review of the local school wellness policy through a variety of means, including:

• DuBois Integrity Academy will consider student needs in planning for a healthy nutrition environment. Scholars will be asked for input and feedback using surveys and attention will be given to their comments.

• DuBois Integrity Academy will use electronic mechanisms, such as email or displaying notices on DuBois Integrity Academy website, as well as non-electronic mechanisms, such as newsletters, presentations to parents or sending information home to parents, to ensure that all families are actively notified of any updates to the wellness policy, as well as how to get involved and support the policy.

• At the final public-school board meeting of each year, the local school wellness policy will be discussed, and all stakeholders will be asked to provide feedback on the policy. All comments and recommendations will be reviewed and considered.

• A team of district and community representatives will be established to support the food service director and teachers in implementing local purchasing and other farm-to-school activities on an ongoing basis.

 

Record Keeping

Records to document compliance with the requirements of the local school wellness policy will include, but is not limited to the following:

• The written local school wellness policy;

• Documentation demonstrating compliance with community involvement requirements, including requirements to make the local school wellness policy and triennial assessments available to the public as consistent with the section on informing and updating the public; and

• Documentation of the triennial assessment of the local school wellness policy.

 

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.