WELLNESS ( Elementary Schools)

From the parent/student guides at the elementary schools. 

The following recommendations were designed to support the District's wellness policy (Policy JL).  They provide a common language for schools, teachers, students, and parents to make healthy choices in their classrooms.  Teachers should ensure students are not excluded based on food choices.  The recommendations should be adapted appropriately to specific context in each school and classroom.  As with all things, the best approach is for each of us to use our common sense. 

• Healthy Snack Options: Instead of foods with minimal nutritional value, the district recommends healthy snack options or non-food alternatives for parties, celebrations, and meetings.  Healthy snack options include fun snacks (broccoli “dinosaur stalks” or silly fruit shapes), crunchy snacks (carrots with dip or bagel slices), and salty snacks (pretzels or low fat popcorn).  Non-food alternatives include school supplies (pencils or erasers), athletic gear (sweat bands or jump ropes), or fashion wear (bracelets or shoe laces).  A more extensive list of healthy snack options and non-food alternatives is available at: http://www.sau25.net/CurrAssess/WellnessGuidelines.htm.
• Birthday Celebrations: The district recommends that birthdays be celebrated in a healthy way.  Healthy celebrations can reduce the number of times students have sugary treats at school.  A well planned celebration can also help the school community be sensitive to students with allergies and other food-related health concerns.  The district recommends two options.  The teacher selects which option a classroom follows:
• Option 1: On a student’s birthday, the student can be recognized with a non-food reward such as a certificate or special privileges for the day (lunch with teacher or the principal, wearing of a crown, or reading of a favorite book to the class).
• Option 2: Classrooms can have monthly celebrations, scheduled by the teacher, for all the students with a birthday in that month. 
• Food Rewards: The district recommends that food not be used as a student reward unless it is a necessary and integral part of the curriculum.

WELLNESS (Intermediate, Middle and High Schools)

The following recommendations were designed to support the District's wellness policy (Policy JL).  They provide a common language for schools, teachers, students, and parents to make healthy choices in their classrooms.  Teachers should ensure students are not excluded based on food choices.  The recommendations should be adapted appropriately to specific context in each school and classroom.  As with all things, the best approach is for each of us to use our common sense. 

• Healthy Snack Options: Instead of foods with minimal nutritional value, the district recommends healthy snack options or non-food alternatives for parties, celebrations, and meetings.  Healthy snack options include crunchy snacks (carrots with dip or bagel slices) and salty snacks (pretzels or low fat popcorn).  Non-food alternatives include school supplies or athletic gear.  A more extensive list of healthy snack options and non-food alternatives is available at: http://www.sau25.net/CurrAssess/WellnessGuidelines.htm.
• Food Rewards: The district recommends that food not be used as a student reward unless it is a necessary and integral part of the curriculum.

GOALS

The primary goals of the district wellness program are to promote student health, reduce student overweight/obesity, facilitate student learning of life long healthy habits and increase student achievement.  There is nothing wrong with an occasional treat, but unhealthy choices can become the norm rather than the exception.  Treats used for celebrations and as classroom rewards, can expose children to high-fat, high-sugar, low-nutrient choices.  Constant exposure to low-nutrient foods makes it difficult for children to learn how to make healthy food choices.  By providing students with nutritious choices wherever food is available (including the classroom), schools can positively influence children’s eating habits.

The District Wellness Policy recommends guidelines for food choices for refreshments served at parties, celebrations, and meetings during the school day as well as student reward alternatives.  It recommends, it does not require. 

What we know:

• Healthy Kids Learn Better: Research clearly demonstrates that good nutrition is linked to better behavior and academic performance. To provide the best possible learning environment for children, schools must also provide an environment that supports healthy behaviors.
• A Clear Policy Provides Consistent Messages: Providing healthy classroom celebration demonstrates a school commitment to promoting healthy behaviors. It supports the classroom lessons students are learning about health, instead of contradicting them. Healthy celebrations promote positive lifestyle choices to reduce student health risks and improve learning.
• A Clear Policy Promotes a Healthy School Environment: In order to positively change eating behaviors, students need to receive consistent, reliable health information and ample opportunity to use it.  Healthy celebrations are an important part of providing a healthy school environment.
• A Clear Policy Creates Excitement About Nutrition: Children are excited about new and different things, including fun party activities and healthy snacks (see below for ideas). School staff and parents need not worry that children will be disappointed if typical party foods aren’t served in the classroom. Holiday treats and traditional birthday parties with cake will still be available at home.
• A Clear Policy Protects Children with Food Allergies: When parents send in food, it is difficult to ensure the safety of children with food allergies. Schools can protect food allergic children by providing nonfood celebrations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why does the district have these recommendations?

On May 22, 2007, the Bedford School Board adopted a Wellness Policy to promote a healthy environment in schools.  The recommendations are a result of this policy, which requires the district to write “recommendations to guide food choices for refreshments served at parties, celebrations, and meetings during the school day as well as student reward alternatives.”  All schools in the United States that participate in the federally funded National School Meals Program are required to have a wellness policy in place by the start of the 2006-2007 school year.

2. How were the recommendations developed? 

In late 2006, the Bedford Curriculum Committee evaluated the implementation of the Wellness Policy.  The Committee directed the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Assessment to write these recommendations.  A working group of teachers drafted the recommendations which were reviewed by teachers, parents, and administrators before being included in the 2007-08 Bedford School District Parent Handbook.

3. What are Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV)?

FMNV are defined as foods that do not have a minimum of at least 5% of the daily value of at least one of the specified nutrients (protein, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, calcium, and iron).  FMNV include, but are not limited to soda and soda water, water ice, chewing gum, candy-coated popcorn, and certain candies including hard candy, jellies and gums, marshmallow candies, fondant, licorice, and spun candy.

4. Where can I access important wellness/nutrition information and forms?

Bedford School District Wellness Policy: http://www.sau25.net ==> District Information ==> Policy Manual ==> Students ==> Policy JL               

Federal website: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org

Parent Resources: http://www.newenglanddairycouncil.org and http://www.cspinet.org/schoolfoodkit/

5. Can school clubs/ parent groups bring snacks/ refreshments to classrooms for celebrations?

Yes.  The recommendations simply encourage families and school related groups to find alternatives to food for these types of celebrations in order to give students a consistent message throughout the school environment.  The recommendation is for snacks/ refreshments to meet the NH Healthy Schools Coalition guidelines.

6. May all children in the classroom share the snacks/ refreshments that a parent brings from home?

This must be discussed with the classroom teacher to determine if allergies or medical restrictions need to be considered in the snack/ refreshment selection.

7. Can food be used in the classroom for incentives and rewards?

Yes, if the food is an integral and necessary part of the curriculum.  It is recommended that teachers consider non-food alternatives and take care not to exclude children based on food choices and .

8. Can food be prepared and cooked in the classroom, as part of the curriculum, under the guidance of teachers?

Yes, but the food prepared and cooked must be a necessary and integral part of the curriculum.

7. Do the recommendations restrict food that parents provide for their child to eat at school?

No. Parents may provide food of their own choice for their child's consumption at school.

10. Do the recommendations restrict food that school-related groups can provide students?

No.  The Wellness Policy states that the school board “encourages school related groups such as parent-teacher groups, booster clubs, and student organizations to adhere to NH Health Schools Coalition Guidelines, with the understanding that these groups will not be prohibited from selling food or beverages that fail to meet or exceed these guidelines.”

Healthy food options can reward and celebrate students while improving the school environment at the same time.  When students are provided with healthy snacks, they get nutritional value from the snack and are more likely to have energy for further school work.  Healthy snack options are nutrient-rich foods that contain essential nutrients often lacking in children’s diets. They contain little or no added sugar, fat or salt.  Eating these types of snack foods more often can significantly improve a child’s diet.  Healthy snacks are part of healthy celebrations which could include serving healthy food and/or beverages at a celebration, providing extra time for recess for the celebration, and/or letting the birthday boy/girl choose a game or activity to play.  Some healthy snack options are:

Sweet

• Low-fat yogurt - squeezable, smoothies, parfaits or banana splits (yogurt and fruit topped with cereal, granola or crushed graham crackers)
• Fresh fruit assortment, fruit and cheese kabobs, fruit salad, fruit with low-fat whipped topping
• Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, banana chips)
• Graham crackers
• Animal crackers
• Angel food cake, plain or topped with fruit
• Waffles or pancakes topped with fruit
• Low-fat pudding
• Low-fat breakfast or granola bars
• Fruit packaged in natural juices (not syrup)

Salty

• Pretzels
• Low-fat popcorn
• Hot pretzels
• Pizza with low-fat toppings (vegetables, lean ham, Canadian bacon)
• Pizza dippers with marinara sauce
• Ham, cheese or turkey sandwiches or wraps (with low-fat condiments)
• Quesadillas or bean burrito with salsa
• Low-fat tortilla chips with salsa or bean dip
• Nuts and seeds (Check for food allergies before serving.)

Crunchy

• Bagel slices with peanut butter or jam, fruit or grain muffin (low-fat)
• Trail/cereal mix (whole-grain, low-sugar cereal mixed with dried fruit, pretzels)
• Whole wheat English muffins
• Rice cakes
• Breadsticks
• Vegetable trays with low-fat dip, celery and carrots with peanut butter and raisins
• Whole-grain crackers with cheese cubes, string cheese or hummus

Drinks

• Low-fat or nonfat plain or flavored milk
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice
• Flavored/sparkling water (without added sugars or sweeteners)
• Sparkling punch (seltzer and 100% fruit juice)
• Fruit smoothies (blend berries, bananas and pineapple)

NON-FOOD ALTERNATIVES

Attention, praise, or thanks are often more highly valued by children than food. Simple gestures like pats on the shoulder, verbal praise (including in front of others), nods, or smiles can mean a lot. These types of social rewards affirm a child’s worth as a person.

Rewards for a class

• Extra recess
• Eating lunch outdoors
• Going to the lunchroom first
• Reading outdoors
• Holding class outdoors
• Extra art, music, PE, or reading time
• Listening to music
• Dancing to music
• Playing a game or doing a puzzle together
• “Free choice” time at the end of the day
• A song, dance, or performance by the teacher or students
• A book read aloud to the class by the teacher
• A field trip

Recognition for special accomplishment/ birthday

• Trophy, plaque, ribbon, or certificate in recognition of achievement or a sticker with an affirming message (e.g., “Great job”)
• Recognizing a child’s achievement on the school-wide morning announcements and/or the school’s website
• A photo recognition board in a prominent location in the school
• A phone call, email, or letter sent home to parents or guardians commending a child’s accomplishment
• A note from the teacher to the student commending his or her achievement

Privileges

• Going first
• Choosing a class activity
• Helping the teacher
• Having an extra few minutes of recess with a friend
• Sitting by friends or in a special seat next to or at the teacher’s desk
• Leading the class
• Playing a game
• Reading to a younger class
• Making deliveries to the office
• Reading the school-wide morning announcements
• Helping in another classroom
• Eating lunch with a teacher or principal
• Listening with a headset to a book on tape or CD
• Going to the library to select a book to read
• Working at the school store
• Taking a walk with the principal or teacher
• Designing a class or hall bulletin board
• Writing or drawing on the blackboard/whiteboard
• Taking care of the class animal for a day
• Allowing a child to choose an extra recess activity for the class on his/her birthday.

School supplies

• Pencils: colored, with logos, or other decorations
• Pens
• Erasers
• Notepads/notebooks
• Boxes of crayons
• Stencils
• Stamps
• Plastic scissors
• Bookmarks
• Highlighters
• Chalk (e.g., sidewalk chalk)
• Markers
• Coloring books
• Rulers
• Glitter
• Pencil sharpeners, grips, or boxes
• Gift certificate to the school store

Sports equipment and athletic gear

• Paddleballs
• Frisbees
• Water bottles
• NERF balls
• Hula hoop
• Head and wrist sweat bands
• Jump rope

Toys or trinkets

• Stickers
• Yo-yos
• Rubber balls
• Finger puppets
• Stuffed animals
• Plastic or rubber figurines
• Toy cars, trucks, helicopters, or airplanes
• Plastic sliding puzzles or other puzzle games
• Slinkies
• Gliders
• Magnifying glasses
• Spinning tops
• Marbles
• Jacks
• Playing cards
• Stretchy animals
• Silly putty
• Bubble fluid with wand
• Balloons
• Capsules that become sponges/figures when placed in water
• Inflatable toys (balls, animals)
• Small dolls or action figures

Fashion wear

• Hair accessories (barrettes, elastics, or ribbons)
• Bracelets, rings, necklaces
• Sunglasses
• Eyeglasses with nose disguise
• Hat or cap
• T-shirt
• Sneaker bumper stickers
• Shoe laces

Miscellaneous

• Key chains
• Flashlights
• Cups
• Magnets
• Crazy straws
• Backscratchers
• A plant, or seeds and pot for growing a plant
• Books

A token or point system, whereby children earn points that accumulate toward a bigger prize.  Children can be given fake money, tokens, stars, or a chart can be used to keep track of the points they have earned. Points can be exchanged for privileges or prizes when enough are accumulated. A point system also may be used for an entire class to earn a reward. Whenever individual children have done well, points can be added to the entire class’s “account.” When the class has earned a target number of points, then they receive a group reward.  Possible prizes include those listed above and:

• Gift certificate to a bookstore or sporting goods store
• Movie pass or rental gift certificate
• Ticket to sporting event
• Puzzle
• Book
• Stuffed animal
• Magazine subscription
• Board game
• Step counter (pedometer)
• Sports equipment, such as tennis racket, baseball glove, soccer ball, or basketball