Wellness
Wellness Policy: 5405 WELLNESS approved 6 2017.pdf
Environment:
The following have been implemented recently:
- Hand Sanitizer dispensers placed in all classrooms and cafeterias.
- Focus on building P.R.I.D.E. at Nyack HS. Students and staff worked together to keep building clean.
Health Curriculum:
The Nyack Public School District will continue to provide a K-12 health education curriculum that addresses the physical, social, and emotional dimensions of health. Students will develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills through common threads and the New York State Standards of health education, which is tailored to the developmental level of the children of the Nyack Public School District. Recommendations include the following: Each building will perform a needs assessment to insure that students and staff know and are able to meet learning objectives.
K-5 will continue with an inter-disciplinary curriculum to address health education in the classroom instruction in such subjects as mathematics, physical education, science, language arts, and social studies.
The Nyack Public School District will communicate with parents and the community on the health curriculum via the District website, Family Resource Center, and through the health curriculum that involves staff, parents, and the community.
The Wellness Committee will assist in developing and promoting staff and community awareness opportunities and encourage healthy eating, physical activity, and other elements of a healthy lifestyle.
Nutrition:
It is recommended that meals served through the National School Lunch Programs will be appealing and attractive to all of the students.
Reward and punishment – schools will not use foods or beverages for academic performance or good behavior and will not withhold food or beverages as a punishment.
A Sub-Committe has worked extremely hard wth our food service company to bring new recipes to the school lunch menu. Below are some examples:
Beginning in the fall of 2010 Nyack Public Schools implemented a change to food celebrations in our schools. We are encouraging healthy choices for celebrations. Below is a list of approved foods that can be brought in to our schools for celebrations The District Wellness Committee's recommendations are based on the scientific evidence as per the websites below. The Committee makes these recommendations because research shows that good nutrition is linked to better behavior and academic success, our district strives to support healthy behavior, healthy school environment:
References for Healthy Celebration Guidelines.
Healthy Halloween Ideas
More Information on Healthy Celebrations - Click Here
Some Useful Links:
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2626&q=320754#Resources http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/policy_options_healthycelebrations.html http://www.letsmove.gov/schools.php
http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/
http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/
HEALTHY SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS SNACK IDEAS
- Fruit smoothies (blend berries, bananas and pineapple)
- Fresh fruit assortment, fruit and cheese kabobs, fruit salad, fruit with low-fat whipped topping
- Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, banana chips), 100% fruit snacks
- Fruit or grain muffin (low-fat), whole wheat English muffins, hot pretzels
- Vegetable trays with low-fat dip
- Whole-grain crackers with cheese cubes, string cheese or hummus
- Waffles or pancakes topped with fruit
- Pretzels, low-fat popcorn, rice cakes, bread sticks, graham crackers and animal crackers
- Angel food cake, plain or topped with fresh fruit
- Pizza with low-fat toppings (vegetables), pizza dippers with marinara sauce
- Cheese or turkey sandwiches or wraps (with low-fat condiments)
- Yogurt Parfaits with non-fat or low-fat yogurt, low fat, nut-free granola and fruit
- Quesadillas or bean burrito with salsa
- Low-fat breakfast or nut-free granola bars
- Low-fat tortilla chips with salsa or bean dip
- Light or low fat popcorn
- Low-fat pudding
- Applesauce or other fruit cups
- Berries with low-fat whipped topping (cool whip)
- Graham Crackers with jam
- Fresh apple slices with caramel or yogurt dip
- Have each parent bring in one type of fruit and students can make their own fruit salad
PLEASE BE ALERTED THE ITEMS BELOW MAY CONTAIN NUTS:
Granola or Trail mix (pretzels, dried fruit, whole grain low-sugar cereals, sunflower or sesame seeds etc.) Parents can bring in ingredients and students may make their own.
Celery and carrots with peanut butter and raisins
Bagel slices with peanut butter or jam
**Parents should communicate with teacher and class parents regarding food allergies of students**
*** Pay attention to serving sizes. Ask children to take ONE serving of each snack and beverage. ***
*** GOODY BAGS ARE NOT PERMITTED FOR ANY OCCASION IN SCHOOL *** ITEMS SUCH AS DUNKIN DONUTS, CUPCAKES, COOKIES ETC. WILL NOT BE PERMITTED
- We believe that a lack of moderate to vigorous physical activity is a major reason so many of America's youth are overweight.
- It is our belief that if children play for a minimum of 60 minutes each day, they will be able to combat the obesity epidemic.
- Our physical education programs offer wonderful curriculums. However students and their families need to find additional time to be physically active.
- Our schools do a great job offering intramural and physical activity programs before and after school. Please speak with your child's physical education teacher for more information.
- Recess is a good opportunity for students to be physically active. Recess may not be used as a form of punishment unless a student exhibits violent or agressive behavior during the recess period.
Physical Activity:
Below are links pertaining to physical activity:
CDC Physical Activity for Everyone
Fuel up to Play 60
Physical Activity Guidlines for Americans