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6142.101(a)
Instruction
Student Wellness
The Colchester Public School District promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness,
good nutrition and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment.
To support our Wellness Policy, the following regulations will be followed:
National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast
Reimbursable meals served in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National
School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program will follow the USDA meal
pattern requirements and nutrient standards.
Food sold or served in and by the Colchester Public Schools shall include nutritious and
low-fat foods which may include, but shall not be limited to, low-fat dairy products, and
fresh or dried fruit whenever food is available for purchase during the school day. This
includes foods sold in vending machines, school stores, fundraisers and any other food
sales during the school day.
The sale of beverages shall be limited to the following:
• milk, which may be flavored but contains no artificial sweeteners and no more
than 4 grams of sugar per ounce;
• nondairy milks, such as soy or rice milk, which may be flavored but contains no
artificial sweeteners, no more than 4 grams of sugar per ounce, no more than 35%
of calories from fat per serving, and no more than 10% of calories from saturated
fat per serving;
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice or combination of such juices, containing no added
sugars, sweeteners, or artificial sweeteners;
• beverages that contain only water and fruit or vegetable juice and have no added
sugars, sweeteners, or artificial sweeteners; and
• water, which may be flavored but must contain no added sugars, sweeteners,
artificial sweeteners, or caffeine.
A school breakfast program will be offered in all schools.
The school lunch and breakfast programs will use low fat foods and preparation
methodology as required by state guidelines.
All parents will be provided with free and reduced meal forms. Information will also be
posted on the district web site and advertised in local newspapers.
6142.101(b)
Instruction
Student Wellness
National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast - continued
Data on student preferences will guide the food service director in menu decisions to
promote increased participation.
Lunch will be served after recess in grades 1-5.
The food services staff will receive required training as needed and food service
supervisors will attend state conferences and presentations as they become available and
will share information with all food service personnel.
The school menus will use whole grains and fresh fruits.
Serving size of beverages is limited to state guidelines for calorie content.
Only lowfat milk shall be sold in school.
Lunchroom Climate
Colchester Public Schools shall provide a lunchroom environment where students have:
• adequate space to sit and eat in pleasant, clean surroundings;
• adequate time for meals (at least twenty minutes daily for lunch and at least ten
minutes daily for breakfast); and
• convenient access to hand washing facilities before meals.
Other Foods Sold for Fundraising or Nonprofit Purposes
The federal government standards requiring schools to provide meals under the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans do not apply to competitive foods sold or served outside the
food service areas in the Colchester Public Schools.
Any fundraising requires approval by a school administrator. Foods sold in classrooms,
at school-sponsored activities, and/or in school stores during the school day must meet
the Connecticut Nutrition Standards.
Beverages, other than those listed in this regulation, and foods not meeting nutrition
standards may be sold if the sale is in connection with an event occurring after the end of
the regular school day or on the weekend; the sale is at the event location; and the food or
beverages are not sold from a vending machine or school store.
6142.101(c)
Instruction
Student Wellness
Other Foods Sold for Fundraising or Nonprofit Purposes - continued
Pursuant to state statute, whenever any group makes foods available for purchase in
school during the school day, low-fat dairy products and fresh or dried fruits must be
available at the same time for purchase by students.
Snack machines with food items that adhere to the Connecticut Nutrition Standards may
be available to students during the school day.
All fundraising projects that occur outside of the school day are encouraged to follow the
State and Federal Nutrition Standards.
Classroom Incentives
As a rule, staff members shall not use candy or any food as incentives and/or rewards.
Deprivation of food shall never be used as punishment.
Student Nutrition Education
The Colchester Public Schools has developed and implemented a comprehensive,
developmentally appropriate, curriculum approach to nutrition in all grades. Instructional
staff integrates nutritional themes into daily lessons when appropriate. The health benefits
of good nutrition shall be emphasized. These nutritional themes include but are not
limited to:
*Knowledge of My Pyramid and the Dietary *Healthy diet
Guidelines for Americans *Food labels
*Healthy heart choices *Major nutrients
*Sources and variety of foods *Multicultural influences
*Guide to a healthy diet *Serving sizes
*Diet and disease *Proper food safety sanitation
*Understanding calories *Body-size acceptances, healthy
*Healthy snacks weight and dangers of unhealthy
*Healthy breakfast weight-control practices
Nutrition education will be offered to parents beginning at the elementary level. The
Colchester Public Schools will continue to educate parents throughout the elementary,
middle and high school levels via newsletters and programs offered by the School
Readiness Council, as well as postings on the District /School website and/or
presentations on healthy lifestyles.
The district will provide professional development for Physical Education teachers and
opportunities for outside training.
Nutrition training will be integrated into Family and Consumer Sciences and Health and
Physical Education electives.
6142.101(d)
Instruction
Student Wellness
Student Nutrition Education (continued)
A Healthy and Balanced Living Curriculum will be in place for every grade, K-12, with
standards-based assessments based on the CT Framework. Cooperative activities will be
included in this curriculum, and ongoing student self-assessment in both health and
physical education will be used to promote a physically active lifestyle. The curriculum
will be evaluated and revised on a seven-year cycle to align with state guidelines and
national standards.
Elementary students in grades 1-5 will receive at least 80 minutes per week of physical
education and engage in moderate to vigorous activity during that time.
The teacher/ student ratio for Physical Education classes will be no greater than class size
ratios as specified in the Agreement between the Colchester Board of Education and the
Colchester Federation of Teachers.
Waivers for physical education will be limited to health concerns documented by a
physician’s note or recommendation by school nurse after consultation with
parent/guardian.
All students in grades 4, 8, and 10 will participate in the Connecticut Physical Fitness
Assessment.
Health and wellness training for teachers will be provided as required/indicated.
Family and Community Involvement
In order to promote family and community involvement in supporting and reinforcing
nutrition education in the schools, the building Principal is responsible for ensuring that:
• Nutrition education materials and cafeteria menus are sent home with students
and/or included in school newsletters; and posted on school websites;
• Parents are encouraged to send healthy snacks/meals/beverages to school;
• Families are invited to attend exhibitions of student health projects or health fairs;
• Communications are sent to notify students/parents when the School Readiness
Council and/or other Town Agencies offer nutrition education workshops and
town-wide events to promote healthy nutrition;
• As part of the Health Curriculum, nutrition education homework that students can
do with their families is assigned (e.g., reading and interpreting food labels,
reading nutrition-related newsletters, preparing healthy recipes, etc.); and
• School staff members work closely with other agencies and community groups to
provide opportunities for student-volunteer projects related to nutrition.
6142.101(e)
Instruction
Student Wellness
Family and Community Involvement (continued)
A district-wide wellness committee has been established as required by federal/state law
for the purposes of monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the district’s
Wellness Policy and Regulations. The committee will meet a minimum of four times
annually. Committee members shall include:
• District Food Service Supervisor
• Parent representative from each school level (preK-5, 6-12)
• Student representative from each school level (preK-5, 6-12)
• Staff member representative from each school level (preK-5, 6-12)
• Administrative Representatives (school and district level)
• Physical Education/Health Program Teacher Leader
• School Nurse
• Health Education Teacher
• Physical Education Teacher
Food and Beverages Offered to Students at School
The Colchester Public Schools encourages the use of healthy foods for all school
functions and activities during the school day, e.g. parties, celebrations, feasts, sporting
events, etc. Suggested foods will be shared with parents/guardians. Foods of minimal
nutritional value will be discouraged.
Water will be available at water fountains in all areas of the schools.
Physical Activity
Because research shows that physical activity promotes academic success, students will
not be held from recess for academic remediation. Staff members will not deny
participation in recess or other physical activity opportunities as a form of discipline or
punishment unless the safety of students is in question.
Elementary students in grades 1-5 will be provided with supervised recess time daily and
provided with play equipment that encourages physical activity.
The physical education program provides safe and adequate equipment and facilities.
Fitness opportunities are available to students and staff through planned programs and/or
consent to use the athletic facilities.
Fitness activities will be encouraged during the school day.
Intramurals and/or interscholastic activities will be offered at the middle and high school
levels contingent upon budgetary resources.
6142.101(f)
Instruction
Student Wellness
Physical Activity (continued)
The school system has a partnership with Youth Services and Parks and Recreation
Department that allows for use of school facilities for community fitness activities in
accordance with the Board’s Facility Use Policy.
Communication and Promotion
Fitness activities will be offered as part of community events.
Presentations on nutrition and wellness will be provided to staff.
The Colchester Wellness Advisory Committee will meet on a regular basis to review the
implementation of the policy and evaluate its effectiveness.
Data on school fundraising, student fitness, and school meal participation will be
reviewed by the District Wellness Advisory Committee on an annual basis and a report
will be provided to the Board of Education.
Regulation adopted: January 8, 2008 Colchester Public Schools
Revised: August 6, 2009 Colchester, CT