The Greater Amsterdam School District (GASD) Board of Education (BOE) believes in a Coordinated and Comprehensive approach to staff and student wellness that is sensitive to individual and community needs. To that end, the BOE believes that children of all ages who begin each day as healthy individuals can:

• Learn more;

• Learn better

• Are more likely to complete their formal education.

The BOE also believes that healthy staff can:

• More effectively perform their assigned duties

• Model appropriate wellness behavior for students.

The GASD believes that a hungry child cannot learn. Academic performance and quality of life issues are affected by the choice and availability of good foods in our schools. Healthy foods support student physical growth, brain development, resistance to disease, emotional stability and ability to learn.

• Nutrition guidelines that require the use of products that are high in fiber, low in added fats, sugar and sodium, and served in appropriate portion sizes consistent with USDA standards shall be established for all foods offered by the GASD Food Services Department or contracted vendors. Menu and product selection shall utilize student, parent, staff and community advisory groups whenever possible.

• Nutrition services policies and guidelines for reimbursable meals shall not be more restrictive than federal and state regulations require.

Dining Area

• The GASD shall provide a clean, safe, enjoyable meal environment for students.

• The GASD shall provide enough space and serving areas to ensure all students have access to school meals with minimum wait time.

• Drinking fountains shall be made available in all schools, so that students can get water at meals and throughout the day.

• All students shall be encouraged to participate in school meals program and the identity of students who eat free and reduced price meals shall be protected.

Time to Eat

• The GASD shall ensure an adequate time for students to enjoy eating healthy foods with friends in school.

• The GASD shall schedule lunchtime as near the middle of the school day as possible.

Nutrition Education

• Students in grades K through 12 shall receive nutrition education that is interactive and teaches the skills they need to adopt healthy eating behaviors.

• Students shall receive consistent nutrition messages throughout schools, classrooms, cafeterias, homes, community and media.

• Nutrition shall be integrated into the health education or core curricula (e.g., math, science, language arts).

• The GASD shall ensure that staff that provides nutrition education has the appropriate training.

• Nutrition services shall be available to support classroom activities for all students that include hands-on applications of good nutrition practices to promote health and reduce obesity.

Food or Physical Activity as a Reward or Punishment

• The GASD shall prohibit the use of food as a reward or punishment in schools.

• The GASD shall not deny student participation in recess or other physical activities as a form of discipline or for classroom make-up time.

Consistent School Activities and Environment

• The GASD shall ensure that all schools' fundraising efforts are supportive of healthy eating, and approved by designated building leadership.

• The GASD shall provide opportunities for professional training and development for food service staff and teachers in the areas of nutrition and physical education.

• The District encourages parents, teachers, school administrators, students, food service professionals, and community members to serve as role models in practicing healthy eating and being physically active, both in school and at home.

• The District encourages all students to participate in school meals program, i.e., the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs.

All Foods and Beverages Available on School Campuses during the School Day

Students' lifelong eating habits are greatly influenced by the types of foods and beverages available in their daily environment. In addition to ensuring that reimbursable school meals meet program requirements and nutrition standards, GASD believes it must also establish standards or guidelines to address all foods and beverages sold or served to students, including those available outside of the school meal programs.

• GASD makes decisions on these guidelines based on nutrition goals, not on profit making.

• GASD encourages participation in a "farm to school" program and sees value in buying local and buying fresh whenever possible.

• A la carte offerings to students shall be nutritious and meet federal recommended guidelines and shall be selected with input from students, parents and staff.

• Refreshments served at celebrations and meetings during the school day shall be nutritious.

• Foods and beverages sold during the school day on school campuses shall be nutritious and meet federal recommended guidelines. (i.e., bake sales, fund raisers, etc.)

Vending Machines: Operational only after regular school day ends

• All snack and beverage vending and/or sales shall provide a minimum of 20% available options high in fiber, and low in sugar, fat, and sodium.

• Foods and beverages sold through school vending machines should meet acceptable nutritional standards that consist of the following:

1. Plain, bottled water and approved, flavored waters;

2. Milk, as that term is defined in C.R.S. 25-5.5-101 and shall include but not necessarily be limited to chocolate milk, soy beverage, rice beverage and other similar dairy or nondairy beverage.

3. One hundred percent fruit juices or fruit-based drinks composed of no less than 50% juice, without additional sweeteners.

4. An electrolyte replacement beverage that contains 42 grams or fewer of additional sweetener per 20 ounce serving.

5. Nuts, seeds, dairy products, fresh fruits or vegetables, dried fruits or vegetables, and packaged fruits in their own juice.

6. At least 20% of any other food items must be considered: "Balanced Choice Healthy Foods" which are described as follows:

• 480 mg sodium

• 5% sugar

• 35% fat calories

• 10% saturated fat calories

• 200 calories total.

Healthy living skills shall be taught as part of the regular instructional program. The K through 12 Health Education program, within a Coordinated School Health Framework, shall provide the opportunity for all students to understand and practice concepts and skills related to health promotion and disease prevention.

• The GASD shall provide for an interdisciplinary, sequential, standards-based, skills-driven, student-centered health education program based upon New York State Standards.

• In accordance to NYS Standards, students in the GASD shall receive instruction and practice based on the three Standards: Personal Health and Fitness; A Safe and Healthy Environment; and Resource Management.

• In accordance to NYS, students shall receive instruction and practice to acquire and develop skills in self management, relationship management, communication, stress management, goal setting, decision making, and advocacy that enhance personal, family and community health.

• In accordance with NYS, students shall receive age-appropriate Functional Knowledge that includes, but is not limited to, the following: Physical Activity and Nutrition; Tobacco, Alcohol, and other Drugs; HIV/AIDS; Family Life/Sexual Health; Intentional Injury; Violence Prevention; Disease Prevention; first aid and other required health areas.

• In accordance with NYS regulations, their instruction shall be provided as follows: Grades K through 6 by regular classroom teachers or a certified health educator; a certified health educator shall provide a 1/2 year course of study in grade 7; and a certified health educator shall provide 1/2 year course of study in grade 10, 11 or 12.

• Students shall have the opportunity to practice behaviors that enhance health and/or reduce health risks during the school day and as part of before or after school programs.

The GASD believes that Physical Education and physical activity shall be an essential element of each school's instructional program. The primary goals for schools' physical activity components are to:

• Provide opportunities for every student to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for specific physical activities.

• Maintain students' physical fitness, to ensure students' regular participation in physical activity.

• Teach students the short- and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthful lifestyle.

The Physical Education (PE) Program

• The PE program shall be designed to stress physical fitness and encourage healthy, active lifestyles.

• The PE program shall consist of physical activities of at least moderate intensity and for a duration that is sufficient to provide a significant health benefit to students, subject to the differing abilities of students.

• A certified physical education teacher shall teach and encourage activity during physical education classes.

• In accordance with NYS regulations, students in kindergarten through grade five are required to participate in a minimum of 30 minutes, three days a week.

• In accordance with NYS regulations, students in grades 6 through 8 are required to participate one period every other day throughout the year. In addition to physical education classes, intramural programs (6 through 8) and modified sports (grades 7 through 9) shall be offered throughout the year.

• In accordance with NYS regulations, students in grades 9 through 12 are required to complete 2 full credits for graduation. In addition to physical education classes, intramural programs and interscholastic sports shall be offered throughout the year.

Physical Activity Programs

• Students shall be given opportunities for physical activity during the school day through PE classes, daily recess periods for elementary school students, and the integration of physical activity into the academic curriculum.

• Students shall be given opportunities for physical activity through a range of before and/or afterschool programs including, but not limited to, intramurals, interscholastic athletics, and physical activity clubs.

• GASD will make efforts to keep school or district-owned physical activity facilities open for use by students outside school hours.

• GASD shall work with the community to create ways for students to walk or bike safely to and from school.

• Each school shall encourage parents and guardians to support their children's participation in physical activity, to be physically active role models, and to include physical activity in family events.

• GASD shall provide training to enable teachers, and other school staff to promote enjoyable, lifelong physical activity among students.

The GASD believes that a safe and healthy environment supports academic success for all students. Safer school communities promote healthier students. Healthier students progress better in school and make greater contributions to their community

• GASD school buildings and grounds,structures, busses and equipment shall meet all current health and safety standards; and be kept inviting, clean, safe and in good repair.

• All GASD school buildings and offices shall maintain an environment that is free of tobacco, alcohol, and prohibited substances.

• Safety procedures and appropriate training for students and staff shall always support personal safety, an environment free from harassment, and an environment free of a threat or act of violence.

• Each work site, school and classroom shall work to create an environment where students, parents or guardians and staff are respected, valued, and accepted with high expectations for personal behavior and accomplishments.

The Greater Amsterdam School District is committed to developing and providing programs and services to staff, students, and their families that promote social and emotional well-being to optimize conditions for teaching and learning.

In so doing, each school shall provide a supportive environment that includes the services of guidance counselors, school psychologists and social workers. Such an environment shall encourage students, families, and staff to request assistance when needed and shall link them to school or community resources.

• In accordance to NYS regulations, these programs shall help students who exhibit any attendance, academic, behavioral, or adjustments problems.

• Furthermore, these programs shall address, but not be limited to, issues such as Suicide, depression, anxiety, and antiviolence.

The Greater Amsterdam School District believes an effective health care delivery system that promotes academic achievement by providing a broad scope of services from qualified health care providers will improve the mental and physical health of students and staff.

• Primary coordination of health services shall be through a trained school health care practitioner with the support and direction of GASD. Critical health issues will be addressed through County Public Health Departments in collaboration with GASD.

• The GASD shall collaborate with community health liaisons and resources to promote health and wellness for students, families, staff and community. Critical health issues will be addressed through County Public Health Departments in collaboration with GASD.

• Coordinated and comprehensive programs of accessible health services shall be provided to students and staff and shall include, but not be limited to, nursing, violence prevention, school safety, communicable disease prevention, health screening, community health referrals, immunizations, parenting skills, first aid, CPR/AED, and other priority health education topics.

The Greater Amsterdam School District believes in fostering solid family, school and community partnerships. GASD further believes that long-term, effective family, school and community partnerships positively impact student wellness.

• Family, student, and community partners shall be included on an ongoing basis in the Wellness Program planning process within the GASD.

• The diverse, cultural makeup of the school community shall be valued in planning and implementing wellness activities.

• Community partnerships shall be developed and maintained as a resource for the GASD programs, projects, activities, and events.

• GASD shall actively support the engagement of students, families, and staff in community health enhancing activities and events throughout the community to respond more effectively to the health- related needs of students.

The Greater Amsterdam School District is fully aware that a healthy staff can more effectively perform their duties and serve as powerful role models for healthy living. The District shall provide information about wellness resources and service and establish a staff committee to assist in identifying and supporting the health, safety and well-being of the staff. All personnel involved in the school health program shall possess the necessary qualifications, training, and or experience essential to their duties.

• All GASD buildings and offices shall maintain an environment that is free of tobacco, alcohol, and prohibited substances.

• GASD shall provide an accessible and productive work environment free from physical dangers or emotional threat that is as safe as possible and consistent with applicable occupation and health laws, policies, and rules.

  • Responding to the professional improvement needs of all staff and schools;

  • Training for staff that is offered at their place of work;

  • Involvement of staff unions & professional organizations in planning.

• GASD shall support the development and implementation of staff wellness activities to ensure that all staff shall have access to opportunities that enhance their health.