Annually, the district allocates Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid (DPIA) and Student Wellness and Success Funds (SWSF) provided by the State of Ohio for the betterment of all students.

The District receives just over $230,000 in DPIA funding annually, and these funds are used to extend the school year past the state minimum operating hours as required by law.

Additionally, the District receives just over $425,000 in SWSF funding, which is used to support student counselors at BMS and BHS, homeless and foster student support, and student wellbeing initiatives for all buildings at Bulldog Place.

 The District shall assess the Wellness Policy at least once every three years on the extent to which schools in the District are in compliance with the District policy, the extent to which the District policy compares to model wellness policies, and the progress made in attaining the goals of the District Wellness Policy.  The assessment shall be made available to the public on the School District's web site.

The most recent assessment of the District Wellness Policy occurred in August 2023.

8510 - WELLNESS

As required by law, the Board of Education establishes the following wellness policy for the Batavia Local School District as a part of a comprehensive wellness initiative.

The Board recognizes that good nutrition and regular physical activity affect the health and well-being of the District's 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, by supporting the development of good eating habits, and by promoting increased physical activity both in and out of school.

Schools alone, however, cannot develop in students healthy behaviors and habits with regard to eating and exercise. It will be necessary for not only the staff, but also parents and the public at large to be involved in a community-wide effort to promote, support, and model such healthy behaviors and habits.

The Board of Education establishes the following goals in an effort to enable students to establish good health and nutrition habits:

1. Nutrition Education:

    

   1. is included in the health curriculum so that instruction is sequential and standards-based and provides students with knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to lead healthy lives;

       

   2. is integrated into other subject areas of the curriculum, when appropriate, to complement the standards and benchmarks for health education;

       

   3. promotes the benefits of a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products and low-fat and fat-free dairy products.

       

2. Physical Activity/Physical Education:

    

   1. A sequential, comprehensive physical education program is provided for students K-12 that provides for instruction related to the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for participation in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.

       

   2. Students with disabilities and special health care needs are afforded physical activities to the extent possible as outlined in their Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

       

   3. Planned instruction in physical education teaches cooperation, fair play and responsible participation.

       

   4. Planned instruction in physical education meets the needs of all students and takes into account physical, gender and cultural differences.

       

   5. Recess is provided on a regular basis for age-appropriate grade levels.

       

   6. Opportunities are provided for students to participate in extra-curricular, intramural and/or interscholastic activities (including competitive athletics) which promote physical activity.

       

3. Other School-Based Activities:
    

   1. The schools provide attractive and clean environments in which the students eat.

       

   2. The schools schedule mealtimes so there is a minimum of disruption by bus schedules, recess and other special programs or events.

       

   3. Activities such as tutoring or club meetings are discouraged during mealtimes, unless students may eat during those activities.

       

   4. Students, parents and other community members have access and are encouraged to use the schools' outdoor physical facilities outside the school day.

       

   5. Schools are encouraged to continue using electronic identification and payment systems thereby eliminating any stigma or identification of students eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals.
       

   6. Free drinking water shall be available to students during designated meal times and may be available throughout the school day.
       

4. Nutrition Promotion: Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus, during the school day, will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
   
   Additionally, the District shall:

    

   1. encourage students to increase their consumption of healthful foods during the school day;

       

   2. create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits;

       

   3. provide opportunities for students to develop the knowledge and skills for consuming healthful foods.

All foods and beverages sold to students as fund-raisers outside of the school meals program during the regular and extended school day for consumption on the school campus shall meet the USDA Competitive Food regulations, the Alliance for A Healthier Generation’s Competitive Foods and Beverages Guidelines, and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

Furthermore, with the objectives of enhancing student health and well being, and reducing childhood obesity, the following guidelines are established: 

1. In accordance with Policy 8500, entitled Food Service, the food service program shall comply with Federal and State regulations pertaining to the selection, preparation, consumption, and disposal of food and beverages, including but not limited to the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, as well as to the fiscal management of the program.

    

2. As set forth in Policy 8531, entitled Free and Reduced Price Meals, the guidelines for reimbursable school meals are not less restrictive than the guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

    

   The sale of foods of minimal nutritional value in the food service area during the lunch period is prohibited.

    

3. The sale of foods and beverages to students that do not meet the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards to be consumed on the school campus during the school day is prohibited.

    

4. All food items and beverages available for sale to students for consumption on the school campus (any area of property under the jurisdiction of the school that is accessible to students during the school day) between midnight and thirty (30) minutes after the close of the regular school day shall comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, including, but not limited to, competitive foods that are available to students a la carte or as entrees in the dining area (except entree items that were offered on the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) menu on the day of and the day after they are offered on the NSLP or SBP menu), as well as food items and beverages from vending machines, from school stores, or as fund-raisers, including those operated by student clubs and organizations, parent groups, or boosters clubs.
    

5. All foods offered on the school campus during the school day shall comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including competitive foods that are available to students a la carte in the dining area, as classroom snacks, from vending machines.
    

6. All food and beverages hat are provided, other than through sale, on the school campus during the school day (which may include for classroom parties and at holiday celebrations) shall comply with the food and beverage standards approved by the Superintendent.
    

7. The operation of the District food service program is in accordance with existing District policies relating to food and complies with Federal and State regulations pertaining to the selection, preparation, consumption and disposal of food and beverages.
    

8. The food service program strives to be financially self-supporting however, if it is necessary to subsidize the operation, it will not be through the sale of foods with minimal nutritious value.
    

9. The food service program will provide all students affordable access to the varied and nutritious foods they need to be healthy and to learn well, regardless of unpaid meal balances and without stigma.
    

10. Groups making food available via snacks in classrooms, vending machines, fundraisers, parties, holiday celebrations and after school activities (including athletics) are encouraged to provide foods that promote student health and well-being.
     

11. Food service personnel are provided opportunities, as needed, for professional development to ensure that they remain current on nutrition and health regulations and guidelines.
     

12. The school shall prepare and distribute to staff, parents, and after-school program personnel a list of snack items that comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

The Board provides assurance that guidelines for reimbursable school meals are not less restrictive than regulations and guidelines issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.

The Board designates the Superintendent/designee and the building principals with the operational responsibility for measuring and evaluating the District's implementation and progress under this policy. The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines necessary to implement this policy.

The Superintendent shall appoint a District-wide Wellness Committee that includes parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, educational staff (including health and physical education teachers), mental health and social services staff, school health professionals, members of the public, and school administrators to oversee development, implementation, evaluation and periodic update of this policy. The Wellness Committee shall be an ad hoc committee with members recruited and appointed annually. School level health advisory teams may assist in the planning and implementation of these Wellness initiatives.

The Wellness Committee shall be responsible for: 

1. assessment of the current school environment;

    

2. review of the District’s Wellness policy;

    

3. presentation of the Wellness policy to the Board for approval;

    

4. measurement of the implementation of the policy; and

    

5. recommendation for the revision of the policy, is necessary.

 Before the end of each school year, the Wellness Committee shall recommend to the Superintendent any revisions to the policy it deems necessary and/or appropriate.  In its review, the Wellness Committee shall consider evidence-based strategies in determining its recommendations.

The Superintendent shall report annually to the Board on the Wellness Committee’s progress and on its evaluation of the policy’s implementation and areas for improvement, including status of compliance by individual schools and progress made in attaining the policy’s goals.

 The District shall assess the Wellness Policy at least once every three years on the extent to which schools in the District are in compliance with the District policy, the extent to which the District policy compares to model wellness policies, and the progress made in attaining the goals of the District Wellness Policy.  The assessment shall be made available to the public on the School District's web site.

Revised 1/12/16

Revised 6/19/17

© Neola 2021

Legal

42 U.S.C. 1751, Sec. 204

42 U.S.C. 1771

7 C.F.R. Parts 210 and 220