WELLNESS POLICY

Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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.

Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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.

1. Local School Wellness Policy Leadership

School level

Each school within Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. will establish an ongoing Healthy School Team that will meet in January and November of each year to ensure compliance and to facilitate the implementation of Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. wellness policy.

• The school principal and local school staff shall have the responsibility to comply with federal and state regulations as they relate to Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. wellness policy.
• In each school, the principal will be responsible for establishing the Healthy School Team that will ensure compliance with the policy.
• The Healthy School Team should include, but not be limited to, the following stakeholders: parents, students, school food service program representatives, school administrators, school health professionals, physical education teachers and the public.
• The Healthy School Team 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 Food Service Manager, the person responsible for ensuring overall compliance with Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. wellness policy.

Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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.

2. 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 the number of on campus locations that students can access useful nutrition information by 10-15%.
• 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.
• Nutrition education messages from the classroom will be modeled in the cafeteria and across campus by offering locally-grown food whenever possible within the school meals programs as well as in a la carte sales, including vending machines.
• 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:
  • Featuring food grown in the school garden in the cafeteria, through sampling and inclusion in school meals based upon availability and acceptability.
  • 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.

3. 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 Florida’s Physical Education Standards shall be taught as part of the structured and systematic unit of instruction during physical education classes and will be integrated into other subject areas (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. Staff and school food service in partnership with community organizations will integrate hands-on experiences at least once per year such as:
  • Farmer’s market tours and visits to community gardens integrating core curriculum whenever possible.
  • Use of school gardens and cafeteria as a learning lab, harvesting vegetables from the school garden and incorporating them into school meals/snacks whenever possible.
  • Hosting farmers in the classroom and cafeteria for interactive discussions and presentations
• 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.

4. Physical Activity

Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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 in grades K-5 shall receive 150 minutes per week of instructionally relevant physical education. For middle school physical education in grades 6-8, all students shall receive a minimum of one semester of physical education in each of the three years.  In grades 9-12, students receive a minimum of one credit of physical education in senior high school as required.  One semester must be personal fitness while the second semester may be any physical education course offered by Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. with the approved state course codes.  (Sunshine State Standards)
• 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.
• Staff will be encouraged to participate in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (e.g., brisk walking, jogging, swimming) every week. Staff will be informed of the opportunity to participate in physical activity in afterschool programs and community events.
• Regular classroom teachers will be encouraged to provide short physical activity breaks between lessons or classes at least biweekly as appropriate.

5. Other School-Based Activities

Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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

• Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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.
• Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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 Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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 provide nutritious, fresh, locally grown food that reflects Florida’s bountiful harvest.
• School food service will work with school departments, community partners and the student health council to facilitate student understanding of fresh, local, sustainably grown food.
• Convenient access to facilities for hand washing and oral hygiene will be available during meal periods.

Recycling

• Each school shall maximize the reduction of waste by recycling, reusing, composting and purchasing recycled products.

Employee Wellness

• Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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 students 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.

Use of School Facilities Outside of School Hours

• Each school will promote the use of school facilities outside of school hours for physical activity programs offered by community-based organizations and for the school community’s use. Parents will be allowed to bring their children to the school and have access to basketball courts, playgrounds and track facilities.

Behavior Management

• Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. is committed to prohibiting the use of food as a reward, unless incorporated into an activity that promotes positive nutrition messages (such as a guest chef or field trip to a farm).
• Teachers and other school personnel will not deny or require physical activity as a means of punishment.

6. Guidelines for All Foods and Beverages Available During the School Day

Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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 Florida. 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 Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. 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.
• Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. will source 5-10% of all fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers when practicable.
• 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 the 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 Refine Therapeutic Learning Center Inc.) 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.