Wellness Policy

  • A local school wellness policy (“wellness policy”) is a written document that guides a school district’s efforts to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn.

    The wellness policy requirement was established by the Child Nutrition and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004 and further strengthened by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). It requires each school district participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program to develop a wellness policy and implementation plan.  The responsibility for developing, implementing, and evaluating a wellness policy is placed at the local level, so the unique needs of each school under the school districts jurisdiction can be addressed. At HISD it is the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) that oversees development and assessment of the district wellness policy and plan.

     

    The USDA requires School Districts to conduct an assessment of the wellness policy at least every three years. This assessment will determine:

    • Compliance with the Wellness Policy and Plan;
    • How the Wellness Policy compares to model wellness policies; and
    • Progress made in attaining the goals of the wellness policy year to year.

     

    School wellness policies are required to include:

    • Specific goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness.
    • Standards and nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages sold to students on the school campus during the school day that are consistent with federal regulations for:
    • School meal nutrition standards; and
    • Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
    • Standards for all foods and beverages provided, but not sold, to students during the school day (e.g., in classroom parties, classroom snacks brought by parents, or other foods given as incentives).
    • Policies for food and beverage marketing that allow marketing and advertising of only those foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
    • Description of public involvement, public updates, policy leadership, and evaluation plan.

    A copy of the HISD Local Wellness Policy is here:

    https://www.houstonisd.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=110798&dataid=347024&FileName=FFA_LOCAL.pdf