ST. LEO SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY (revised September 2024)
St. Leo School recognizes that children need access to healthful foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to grow, learn, and thrive. Good health fosters student attendance and education. The promotion of health and wellness requires a comprehensive school wellness program that includes academic, physical, social and emotional growth and development of all students at all levels. Student health and success in school are interrelated. St. Leo School System has established an on-going wellness committee appointed by the principal. The committee will include the assistant principal, one of our nurses, the physical education teachers, classroom teacher representatives, guidance/student support, and a member of the food services staff.
The wellness committee will meet at a minimum of 3 times a year (once each trimester) and focus on educating and supporting students and staff with regard to healthier lifestyle choices. The Wellness Program at St. Leo School is a collaboration between curriculum, before and after school activities/programs and community connections. In order to accomplish these goals, the focus will be on the following areas:
Nutrition Education and Wellness: Students will receive nutrition education that fosters the adoption and maintenance of healthy eating behaviors. Collaboration between the cafeteria, classrooms, and the Health Office will be established and maintained. Healthy food options will be comparably priced and prominently displayed in the cafeterias to encourage healthy choices.
USDA Child Nutrition Programs and School Meals: School meals promote fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat items. The cafeterias may provide periodic food promotions to encourage taste testing of healthy new foods being introduced on the menu. Students in grades K-8 are provided 20 minutes for lunch followed by 20 minutes of recess. Classroom teachers supervise students during lunch on a rotating schedule. Food service director is in charge of ensuring that professional development in the area of food and nutrition is provided for food service managers and staff. Families provide snacks for students. St. Leo School follows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Life-Threatening Food Allergy Guidelines. All foods made available on campus must adhere to food safety and security guidelines. Child nutrition programs shall comply with federal, state and local requirements. Child nutrition programs are accessible to all children. Nutrition guidelines will be established with the adherence to the above requirements in conjunction with our food service personnel. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide nutritious choices and appropriate portions. School food service staff, at the school and district level, will ensure compliance with nutrition policies within school food service areas and will report on this matter to the principal.
Physical Activity: All students in grades PK-8 have physical education classes twice each week. PK and Kindergarten have class a total of 1 hour each week and grades 1-8 for 1.5 hours each week. Physical education classes will have the same student/teacher ratios used in other classes. The physical education program is provided adequate space and equipment and conform to all applicable safety standards. When possible, physical education will be taught by a licensed instructor. All staff involved in physical education should be provided with opportunities for professional development. Academic activities shall not take the place of physical education. Classrooms shall incorporate, where appropriate, short breaks that include physical movement. St. Leo School offers Cross Country to students in grades 5-8, Basketball in grades 1-8, and a variety of clubs like Pumped up Penguins for early childhood students, Volleyball Club, Golf Club, Monday Miles for students who like to run/jog. All students shall have daily recess PK-8.
The Wellness Committee shall review nutrition and physical activity policies, evidence on student health impact and effective programs, and program elements. The Wellness Committee will prepare a report annually for the Superintendent and School Committee evaluating the implementation of the policy/regulations and include any recommended changes.
St. Leo School recognizes that children need access to healthful foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to grow, learn, and thrive. Good health fosters student attendance and education. The promotion of health and wellness requires a comprehensive school wellness program that includes academic, physical, social and emotional growth and development of all students at all levels. Student health and success in school are interrelated. St. Leo School System has established an on-going wellness committee appointed by the principal. The committee will include the assistant principal, one of our nurses, the physical education teachers, classroom teacher representatives, guidance/student support, and a member of the food services staff.
The wellness committee will meet at a minimum of 3 times a year (once each trimester) and focus on educating and supporting students and staff with regard to healthier lifestyle choices. The Wellness Program at St. Leo School is a collaboration between curriculum, before and after school activities/programs and community connections. In order to accomplish these goals, the focus will be on the following areas:
Nutrition Education and Wellness: Students will receive nutrition education that fosters the adoption and maintenance of healthy eating behaviors. Collaboration between the cafeteria, classrooms, and the Health Office will be established and maintained. Healthy food options will be comparably priced and prominently displayed in the cafeterias to encourage healthy choices.
USDA Child Nutrition Programs and School Meals: School meals promote fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat items. The cafeterias may provide periodic food promotions to encourage taste testing of healthy new foods being introduced on the menu. Students in grades K-8 are provided 20 minutes for lunch followed by 20 minutes of recess. Classroom teachers supervise students during lunch on a rotating schedule. Food service director is in charge of ensuring that professional development in the area of food and nutrition is provided for food service managers and staff. Families provide snacks for students. St. Leo School follows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Life-Threatening Food Allergy Guidelines. All foods made available on campus must adhere to food safety and security guidelines. Child nutrition programs shall comply with federal, state and local requirements. Child nutrition programs are accessible to all children. Nutrition guidelines will be established with the adherence to the above requirements in conjunction with our food service personnel. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide nutritious choices and appropriate portions. School food service staff, at the school and district level, will ensure compliance with nutrition policies within school food service areas and will report on this matter to the principal.
Physical Activity: All students in grades PK-8 have physical education classes twice each week. PK and Kindergarten have class a total of 1 hour each week and grades 1-8 for 1.5 hours each week. Physical education classes will have the same student/teacher ratios used in other classes. The physical education program is provided adequate space and equipment and conform to all applicable safety standards. When possible, physical education will be taught by a licensed instructor. All staff involved in physical education should be provided with opportunities for professional development. Academic activities shall not take the place of physical education. Classrooms shall incorporate, where appropriate, short breaks that include physical movement. St. Leo School offers Cross Country to students in grades 5-8, Basketball in grades 1-8, and a variety of clubs like Pumped up Penguins for early childhood students, Volleyball Club, Golf Club, Monday Miles for students who like to run/jog. All students shall have daily recess PK-8.
The Wellness Committee shall review nutrition and physical activity policies, evidence on student health impact and effective programs, and program elements. The Wellness Committee will prepare a report annually for the Superintendent and School Committee evaluating the implementation of the policy/regulations and include any recommended changes.