Wellness
Health & Wellness Information
The School District of Jefferson recognizes its responsibility to provide a healthy learning environment by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity. The Wellness Policy promotes lifelong wellness behaviors and links healthy nutrition and exercise to students' overall physical well-being.
With the assistance of a dedicated Wellness Committee that is made up of support staff, teachers, administration, local health care providers and parents, the District's Wellness Policy, Guidelines & Snack List provide families with guidance on what food items are safe to bring into our schools.
The District is committed to serving healthy meals to our students. The school meal programs aim to improve the diet and health of school children, model healthy eating patterns, and support healthy choices while accommodating cultural food preferences and special dietary needs.
MyPlate
Our district participates in the National School Lunch Program, following strict national and state nutrition guidelines, and provides nutritious lunches that contain one-third of the recommended dietary allowance of nutrients. Our district adheres to the recommended USDA dietary guidelines from MyPlate. This new Food Guide focuses on nutrition and fitness, because the two go hand in hand. It is designed to help kids and parents to not only understand the guidelines but to also provide practical advice on how to provide healthy and balanced diet. Recommendations are tailored for kids based on age, gender, and exercise habits. And, our district has also developed a comprehensive school wellness policy and upholds the USDA's Federally Mandated Nutritional Value requirements, which defines the nutrition guidelines for school meals.
For parents, this program offers a convenient method of providing a nutritionally balanced lunch at the lowest possible price. For schools, the program enhances children's learning abilities by contributing to their physical and mental well being. Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems and are more attentive in class.
USDA Final Rule
The USDA has required that all local school districts, across the country, "develop school wellness policies that establish school environments and promote students' health, well-being, and ability to learn." All school districts must comply with the requirements of this Final Rule. The provisions of the Final Rule mandate that a wellness policy must contain the following elements;
- Specific Goals.
- Standards & nutrition guidelines for foods and beverages.
- Standards for all foods and beverages provided, but not sold, to students.
- Policies for food and beverage marketing.
- Description of public involvement, public updates, policy leadership and evaluation plan.