Wellness Policy & Committee Information

Purpose of Wellness Policy (source cdc.gov)

Based on the 2004 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act mandated 6 components for SWPs across the domains of nutrition, physical activity and education, school meals and competitive foods, and plans for implementation and stakeholder involvement.
A local school wellness policy (wellness policy) is a written document that guides a local educational agency (LEA) or school district’s efforts to create supportive school nutrition and physical activity environments. This is important because each local education agency participating in federal Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, is required to develop and implement a wellness policy.

• Include goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote students wellness. In developing these goals, local educational agencies must review and consider evidence-based strategies.

• Include nutrition guidelines for all foods sold on each school campus during the school day that are consistent with federal regulations for school meals and Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

• Include policies for foods and beverages made available to students (e.g., in classroom parties, classroom snacks brought by parents, other foods given as incentives).

• Include 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.

• Permit parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, school administrators, and the general public to participate in the development, implementation, and update of the local school wellness policy.

• Identify one or more school districts or school officials who have the authority and responsibility to ensure each school complies with the policy.

• Inform and update the public (including parents, students, and others in the community) about the local school wellness policy on an annual basis.

• At least once every 3 years, measure how schools are in compliance with the local school wellness policy, the extent to which the local education agency’s local wellness policy compares to model local school wellness policies, and the progress made in attaining the goals of the local wellness policy. Make the assessment available to the public.

 

The SUFSD Wellness Committee focuses on promoting student and staff wellness.

• Staff: Promote staff wellness throughout the school year and plan an annual spring wellness professional development day.  

• Students: Assess and update current district adopted wellness policy and promote adoption of practices under the policy.

 

Committee Members

Rory Malone - Coordinator of MTSS, Community Partnerships, & Mental Health

John Dippold - Athletic Director

Karen Henry - Assistant Superintendent for Business

Mike Emmi - 21st Century Grant Coordinator

Shawn Mitchell - Teacher

Michael Herr - Food Service Director

Bridget Nadzan - Dean of Students

James Rolince - Parent

Keith Lasher - Solvay Success Academy

Linda Ponza - Teacher

Maria Mercer - Teacher

Nicole Halloran - Athletic Trainer

Rachel Verdoliva - District Nutritionist

 

Summary of 2023-2024 Wellness Policy Triennial Review & Action Steps

1. Use of WellSAT-Interview tool to assess policy and practices.

2. Third party rater:

   1. Adriana Savage - Onondaga County Health Department Health Schools Department - Using the WellSAT-I, assessed and provided feedback of the district’s written Wellness Policy for areas in need of clarification.

   2. Wellness Policy Subcommittee reviewed feedback and identified areas and language to enhance the written wellness policy.

   3. Revisions to written Policy included:

      1. Increased specificity surrounding time provided to students to eat lunch and breakfast

      2. Indicating that all students provide free/reduced lunch as part of community eligibility.  Therefore no application is needed and all students’ privacy is protected.

      3. Updated language surrounding “Smarter Lunchroom”
          

3. The Wellness Policy Sub-Committee completed the WellSAT-I with the Food Service Director, Director of Athletics, Health/PE Teacher, District Nutritionist, and Coordinator of MTSS, Community Partnerships, and Mental Health.  Summary and action steps reviewed with the Wellness Committee.  

   1. Identified actionable items to strengthen and clarify the execution of Wellness Policy throughout the district.  

      1. Strengthen the link between nutrition education and the food environment. (NE7)

      2. Nutrition education addresses agriculture and the food system.  (NE8)

      3. Ensure vending machine food meet Smart Snacks standards. (NS4)

      4. Ensure food and beverage requirements for in-school parties are communicated at the elementary level. (NS9)

      5. Encourage teachers to provide physical activity breaks for students during the school day. (PEPA14)

      6. Collaborate with Onondaga County Health Department on Safe Routes to school to encourage biking/walking. (PEPA16)

      7. Coordinate with Principals to create school level Wellness Committees. (ICE8)

4. Updating of Policy Language and submission to Board of Education for Approval (pending).  

SUFSD FOOD SERVICE PAGE
SUFSD Wellness Policy - Updated June 2023
NYS Wellness Policy Assessment Tool - Completed 2/27/24
WellSAT-I Wellness School Assessment Tool - Completed 11/29/23