Engaging the Community in a School-wide Wellness Plan

NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, San Francisco

This was my first session on Sunday and was presented by Joseph Santos, Massachussetts Association of Schools Council President, Dr. Edward Costa III, Superintendent, and Tom McGowan, Committee Past Chair.

STATISTICS

• 58 Million Americans living with serious health risks from obesity
• 22 Million Americans with heart diesease
• 16 Million Americans with diabetes
• 8 Million Americans with cancer
• 800,000 Americans with HIV/AIDS
• 61% of Americans are overweight
• 40% of American children are overweight
• 1 0ut of every 4 children are overweight
• 35-40% of family food budgets are spent on fast foods
• the rate of obesity in children has doubled in 20 years
• 1 out of every 4 adolescents has high blood pressure
• Type II diabetes (adult) is now common in school aged children
• Medicine, doctors and hospital expenses for children due to lack of exercise was $76 billion in 2000
• 61.5% of all children do NOT participate in physical activity during non-school hours
• Overweight impacts student academic achievement and emotional-social development of students

FEDERAL MANDATE

Section 204 of Public Law 108-265 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act requires all schools to develop and adopt written Wellness Policies by July 1, 2006. Policies must be implemented in the 2006-2007 school year.

SIX CONDITIONS TO ACHIEVE POLICY GOALS

1. Community Involvement and the Health Advisory Council
2. Nutritional Guidelines and Standards for Schools (including staff)
3. Nutrition Education
4. Physical Activity Guidelines
5. Monitoring and Policy Review
6. Guidelines for Reimbursable Meals

For the complete power point presentation, click HERE.

For a copy East Longmeadow School Wellness Policy, click HERE.