D70 Wellness Policy

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Pueblo County District 70’s School Wellness Policy

Mission: It is the mission of Pueblo County School District 70 to improving the health of its students, staff, and community by creating wellness-based policy, promoting quality and nutritious meal choices, enforcing activity-centered learning in the classroom, developing health curriculum, and housing an environment suitable for a safe and quality education to instill life-long healthy habits.

Vision: Pueblo County citizens will embrace healthy life choices that include adopting a life-long learning strategy, maintain regular physical activity and healthy eating practices, have the capacity and means to become a productive member of society, and have the compassion and tools to aid others to compel positive generational effects in our community.

Pueblo County School District 70 commits to the following:
Adopt the Whole School, Community, Child wellness model as the framework in coordinating policy, process, and practice involving wellness initiatives.

The WSCC Model, developed by ASCD and the CDC, promotes a collaborative and coordinated approach to student health and academic achievement. We can achieve the goal of students who are healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged through attention to 10 component areas: health education; physical education & physical activity; nutrition environment & services; health services; counseling, psychological, & social services; social & emotional climate; physical environment; employee wellness; family engagement; community involvement.

Provide a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors.
The entire school environment shall be aligned with healthy school goals to positively influence a student’s understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to nutrition education, nutrition promotion, mental/emotional health, family engagement, and regular physical activity. This type of learning environment will teach students to use appropriate resources and tools to make informed and educated decisions about lifelong healthy habits, beneficial physical activity, and comprehensive health.

Support and promote proper dietary habits contributing to students’ health status and academic performance.
All foods and beverages available on school grounds and at school-sponsored activities, during the school day, shall meet or exceed the USDA and Colorado Department of Education’s advertising and nutrition standards (the school day is defined as midnight to thirty minutes after the last bell). All schools participating in the School Breakfast and/or National School Lunch Program shall comply with any state and federal rules or regulation.

Regarding competitive food service as defined by the USDA and Colorado Department of Education. (These guidelines are available through the District’s Nutrition Services Department).

Produce and utilize wellness-based curriculum in the classroom.
As a vital component to reaching kids and instilling lasting behaviors, it’s important to continually introduce and reiterate best practices. Therefore, it’s our mission to provide daily wellness instruction into our classrooms, some activity-based and some lesson- based, to adequately create positive change and lasting effects. New wellness curriculum must be continually created and sought after to provide comprehensive, dynamic, and effective methods for teaching our children and community.
Provide more opportunities for students to engage in physical activity.

A quality physical education program is an essential component for all students to learn about and participate in physical activity. Physical activity should be included and documented in a school’s daily education program from grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Physical activity includes but is not limited to: regular instructional physical education, classroom fitness breaks, field trips including physical activity, co- curricular activities, and recess in accordance with the Colorado Department of Education content standards and Colorado State mandates. Physical activity will not be imposed or taken away as a form of discipline for students.

Provide a safe and effective learning environment that encourages family engagement.
A person’s home life is directly correlated to one’s ability to effectively learn and adapt new skills. Trauma is consistently linked to a broad variety of negative life circumstances including: poverty, juvenile delinquency, adult crime, low academic achievement, substance abuse, mental disorders, and poor health. Positive reinforcement at home is as important as the lessons we teach and the safety of our school borders. So, engaging families and compelling them to be involved in a positive light is just as important as introducing information to our students.

Meet or exceed policy implementation and reporting requirements.
The district will establish and maintain a District Wellness Committee with USDA required stakeholder representation. The committee is responsible for wellness policy and program development adaptation, creating the district wellness vision and annual focus, and seeking funding sources and community partnerships.

The District will maintain a position of District Wellness Coordinator with appropriate authority to oversee implementation, data collection, and create/disseminate annual progress reports to the public (including students, staff, and the community).

Each school must have a School Wellness Leader responsible for leading and coordinating wellness-related curriculum development, activities, and instruction for their students, staff, and community. The School Wellness Leader will also gather and disseminate wellness-related information and opportunities to students, staff members, and the community and report this information to the District Wellness Coordinator.

Pursuant to federal law, the following parties have jointly developed this school wellness policy: Tony Montoya, D70 Board President; Andy Beeman, D70 HR Director; Charlene Romero, D70 Nurse; Lindsey Dunbar, Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment; Stacy Cristelli, Parkview Medical Center; and Brian Axworthy, D70 Nutrition Services Supervisor and Parent.

Also involved in the creation of this policy: Tina Valdez with the School Nursing Department; Miranda Stovall and Mary Cristelli with Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment; Kathy Harrison, Assistant Principal with Pueblo County High School; Michelle Blackford, PE teacher with Pueblo West High School; Angie Gorham, PE teacher with Vineland Middle School; Angie Fillmore, Principal with Vineland Elementary; Lindsay Moore, Mesa Parent with Saint Mary Corwin.

Adopted: June 16, 2009 Revised: January 3, 2012 Revised: October 1, 2013 Revised: December 2, 2014 Revised: April 5, 2019 Revised: February 18, 2020 Revised: February 2, 2021 Revised: June 21, 2022

LEGAL REF.:
Section 204 of P.L. 111-296
C.R.S. 22-32-136 C.R.S. 22-32-134.5 C.R.S. 22-32-136.5
1 CCR 301-79 HB11-1069

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Pueblo County School District 70 does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, national origin, religion, age, disability, need for special education services, genetic information, pregnancy or childbirth status, or other status protected by law in admission or access to, or treatment, or employment in its education programs or activities. Additionally, a lack of English language skills is not a barrier to admission or participation in activities. Inquiries about ADA, Section 504, Title VI, and Title IX may be addressed to the Superintendent of Schools, 301 28th Lane, Pueblo, Colorado 81001. 719-295-6548 or krein@district70.org

Pueblo County School District 70, Pueblo, CO