ADF
WELLNESS POLICY
The Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition, regular physical activity, and positive dietary and lifestyle practices as part of the total learning environment. Our schools contribute to the basic health status of students and staff by facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. This is done according to the recommendations by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Public Health in accordance with Section 204 of Public Law 108-265; June 2004 and the 2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act.
The Ashburnham Westminster Wellness Policy supports practices that develop and implement consistent readiness and wellness processes to address social/emotional, mental health, behavioral, and academic preparedness in a safe environment.
The Ashburnham Westminster School District Wellness Policy is vital to providing school environments that promote and protect students’ and staffs’ health and well-being. The following beliefs guide our efforts:
Communication with parents/guardians, staff and students is essential. We will seek opportunities to educate the school community on trends and information related to health and wellness. We encourage community partnerships that assist the district in this effort.
Consistent with current federal and state nutrition regulations, the Ashburnham Westminster Public Schools will continue to promote the availability of nutritious selections that meet the health and nutrition needs of students.
Support and encourage opportunities for physical activity which include, but are not limited to, K-12 physical education curriculum, recess, extracurricular activities, and sports team/clubs.
Opportunities for professional development to share best practices which incorporate wellness across the curriculum will be offered to all staff. Encouraging a healthy lifestyle for school employees further supports the overall objective of a healthy school community.
The school district will support a School Health Advisory Committee/Wellness Committee which may consist of parents, students, nurses, school physician, physical fitness educators, health educators, school counselors, school food service representative, School Committee member, school administrator, member of the public and other community members. This committee will meet quarterly during each school year and will be responsible for devising a plan for implementation and evaluation of this wellness policy and is charged with operational responsibility for ensuring that schools meet the goals of the district wellness policy. An annual report to the School Committee will be done.
LEGAL REFS: The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, Section204, P.L.108-265
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1751-1769h
The Child Nutrition Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1771-1789
First Reading: 07/25/06 Second Reading: 07/25/06 ADOPTED: 07/25/06 Revised & Readopted: 12/11/18