246.  LOCAL WELLNESS POLICY 

The Career Institute of Technology (CIT) recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to students’ physical well-being, growth, development, and readiness to learn.  The Joint Operating Committee (JOC) is committed to providing a school environment that promotes student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience.  In a healthy school environment, students will learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student achievement.

To ensure the health and well-being of all students, the Joint Operating Committee establishes that the school shall provide to students:

• A comprehensive nutrition program consistent with federal and state requirements.

• Access to reasonable cost for foods and beverages that meet established nutritional guidelines.

• Physical education courses and opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day.

• Curriculum and programs for appropriate career and technical labs and academic courses that are designed to educate students about proper nutrition and lifelong physical activity, in accordance with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and academic standards.

The Administrative Director or designee shall be responsible to monitor the school’s programs and curriculum to ensure compliance with this policy, related, policies, and establish guidelines or administrative regulations.

Staff members responsible for programs related to student wellness shall report to the Administrative Director or designee regarding the status of such program.

The Administrative Director or designee shall annually report to the JOC on the school’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness.  The report may include:

• Recommendations for policy and/or program revisions.

An assurance that school guidelines for reimbursable meals are not less restrictive than regulations and guidelines issued for the school in accordance with federal law shall be provided annually by the Business Manager.

Wellness Committee

CIT’s Wellness Committee will be comprised of at least one (1) of each of the following members approved by the JOC:

• School Administrator
• School Food Service Representative
• Student
• Teacher
• Health Professional
• Parent/Guardian
• Member of the Public

The Wellness Committee shall serve as an advisory committee regarding student health issues and shall be responsible for developing and revising a Local Wellness Policy that complies with law to recommend to the JOC for adoption.

The Wellness Committee shall provide an annual review to the Administrative Director or designee regarding the status of its work, as required.

Nutrition Guidelines

• All foods available in the school during the school day shall be offered to students with consideration for promoting student health and reducing obesity.

• Foods provided through the National School Lunch Program shall comply with federal nutrition standards under the School Meals Initiative.

• The school day at Career Institute of Technology shall be defined as Midnight to ½ hour after students are dismissed from school. 
• Competitive foods are defined as foods and beverages sold to students outside the meal program on the school campus at any time during the school day including ala carte foods, fundraisers, beverages, vending food, and school store food.  Items brought from home for classroom parties or rewards given to students and holiday celebrations are NOT considered under Smart Snack Standards.  These items are not sold to students nor is there any exchange of money, tokens or tickets for receiving the items.

• CIT will make every attempt and educationally appropriate effort to insure that all competitive foods available to students in the school cafeteria during the school day shall comply with the 2014 Smart Snack Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools.

• The CIT school cafeteria will offer an attractive variety of healthy fruits and vegetables daily.

• Other areas or activities that make competitive foods/beverages available in school during the school day shall make every appropriate effort to have their revenues earned by products sold that meet the 2014 Smart Snack Standard Foods in Pennsylvania Schools Act.

Nutrition Education

• Nutrition education, which is designed to teach, encourage, and support healthy eating by students, will be provided within the sequential comprehensive health education program in accordance within the State Board of Education curriculum regulations and the academic standards for Health, Safety, and Physical Education and Family and Consumer Sciences.

• Nutrition education shall be age appropriate, behavior focused, linked to physical activity, and provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead lifelong healthy lives.

• Nutrition education shall be integrated into subjects to complement but not replace academic standards based on nutrition education.

• The staff responsible for providing nutrition education shall be properly trained and prepared and shall participate in professional development.

Physical Activity

• CIT shall strive to provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day for all students with safe and adequate equipment, facilities, and resources.

• Students shall participate in a variety of age-appropriate physical activities designed to achieve optimal health, wellness, fitness, and performance benefits in a safe and enjoyable environment.

• CIT shall provide adequate amount of time during the school day to engage students in daily stretching/exercises that are appropriate in their lab area.

Physical Education

• CIT shall provide quality physical education instruction taught by certified Health and Physical Education Teachers that promotes lifelong physical activity and provides instruction in the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong participation.

• Students shall be moderately to vigorously active as much time as possible within the Physical Education class unless prohibited by a documented medical condition or disability.

• A sequential physical education program consistent with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standards shall be developed and implemented.

• Safe and adequate equipment, facilities and resources shall be provided for physical education courses.

• Appropriate professional development shall be provided for Physical Education staff.

Other School Based Activities

• The goals of the Student Wellness Policy shall be considered in planning all school-based activities.

• CIT shall provide a safe and sanitary meal environment for all students and staff.

• CIT shall provide a school meal environment and nutritional meals for students in accordance with the USDA National School Lunch Program.  CIT shall comply with the Healthy Hunger – Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) and the 2014 Smart Snack Standards in Pennsylvania Schools.
• Drinking water shall be available at all meal periods and throughout the school day.

• CIT shall provide families and community members relevant information in regard to the HHFKA and the 2014 Smart Snack Standards in Pennsylvania Schools and the goals of the Wellness Committee through various methods.

• CIT shall provide appropriate education to all staff on the HHFKA and the 2014 Smart Snack Standards in Pennsylvania Schools and on the components of the Local Wellness Policy.

• Fundraising projects submitted by the Career and Technical Service Organizations (CTSO’s) shall be supportive of healthy eating and student wellness.  CTSO’s that sell competitive foods/beverages will follow the 2014 Smart Snack Standards.  Fundraising outside of the school day does not apply to this rule.

• CIT shall provide the staff with information and facilities to obtain positive and healthy personal wellness goals