6140

Policy Code: 6140 Student Wellness

The Clay County Board of Education (the “board”) recognizes that it is important for students to
maintain their physical health and receive proper nutrition in order to take advantage of educational
opportunities. The board further recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to a
student’s physical well-being, growth, development, and readiness to learn. The board 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. As part of that commitment, the
board directs the superintendent to oversee the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation
of this policy and other school system efforts to encourage students to be healthy and active, including
compliance with the State Board of Education’s Healthy Active Children Policy, SHLT-000, as further
described in Section F, below. The superintendent may designate a school system official to carry out
this responsibility (“lead wellness official”).
The superintendent or designee shall make the most current version of this policy available to
members of the school community and the public by posting it on the school system website and/or by
distributing it annually through other means reasonably intended to reach the school community and
public. In addition, the superintendent or designee shall provide a copy of this policy to the North
Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) when requested to do so.
A. School Health Advisory Council
The board will maintain a school health advisory council to help plan, update, implement,
promote, and monitor this policy as well as to address other health and nutrition issues within the
school system. The council serves as an advisory committee regarding student health issues
and works in conjunction with the lead wellness official charged with oversight of this policy and
the school system’s efforts to promote student and employee health and wellness in compliance
with state and federal requirements. The council is authorized to examine related research and
laws, assess student needs and the current school environment, review existing board policies
and administrative regulations, collaborate with appropriate community agencies and
organizations, and help raise awareness about student health issues. The council also may
make policy recommendations to the board related to this policy and other policies concerning
student wellness and in conjunction with the lead wellness official, shall periodically review and
suggest revisions to this policy. In addition, the council may assist in the development of a plan
for measuring and assessing implementation of this policy and in developing methods to inform
and update the public about the content and implementation of this policy as described in
Sections F and G, below.
The council will be composed of representatives from the school system, the local health
department, and the community. The council must include members of each of the following
groups: the school board, school system administrators, school system food service
representatives, physical education teachers, school health professionals, students, parents or
guardians, and the public. The council will provide information to the board about the following
areas or concerns: (1) physical activity, (2) health education, (3) employee wellness, (4) health
services, (5) social and emotional climate, (6) nutrition environment and services, (7) counseling,
psychological, and social services, (8) physical environment, (9) family engagement, and (10)
community involvement.
The council shall provide periodic reports to the board and public regarding the status of its
work. In addition, the council shall assist the lead wellness official in creating an annual report
that includes the minutes of physical activity and the minutes of physical education and/or
healthful living education received by students in the system each school year, as well as any
other information required by the State Board of Education or NCDPI.
6140
1 of 7
6140 B. Nutrition Promotion and Nutrition Education
The board believes that promoting student health and nutrition enhances readiness for learning
and increases student achievement. The general goals of nutrition promotion and nutrition
education are (1) to provide appropriate instruction for the acquisition of behaviors that
contribute to a healthy lifestyle for students and (2) to teach, encourage, and support healthy
eating by students.
The board will provide nutrition education within the Healthful Living Standard Course of Study
and the grade level expectations outlined in the Healthful Living Essential Standards adopted by
the State Board of Education. Nutrition education should be designed to provide all students
with the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthy lives. Students should learn to address
nutrition-related health concerns through age-appropriate nutrition education lessons and
activities.
Nutrition education and promotion should extend beyond the school environment by engaging
and involving families and communities. School system personnel may coordinate with
agencies and community organizations to provide opportunities for appropriate student projects
related to nutrition. School system personnel are to work to disseminate and promote consistent
nutrition messages throughout the school system, schools, classrooms, school dining areas,
homes, community, and media.
C. Nutrition Standards and Guidelines for All Food and Beverages Available at School
Consistent with policy 6200, Goals of School Nutrition Services, all foods available in the
system’s schools during the school day that are offered to students should help promote student
health, reduce childhood obesity, provide a variety of nutritional meals, and promote lifelong
healthy eating habits. All foods and beverages sold at school must meet the nutrition standards
established in policy 6230, School Meal and Competitive Foods Standards, including the
following:
1. School Lunch, Breakfast, and Snack Programs
Foods provided through the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, or After School
Snack Programs must comply with federal and state nutrition standards. The director of
child nutrition shall ensure that school system guidelines for reimbursable meals are not
less restrictive than regulations and guidelines issued for schools in accordance with
federal law.
2. Competitive Foods
All foods sold on school campuses in areas that are accessible to students during the
school day (defined as the period from midnight through 30 minutes after the dismissal bell
rings) in competition with the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs
(“competitive foods”) are prohibited. Competitive foods include food, snacks, and
beverages from a la carte menus, vending machines, and outside suppliers, as well as
foods or beverages sold in school stores and at fund-raisers. Vending machine sales also
must comply with the requirements of G.S. 115C-264.2.
3. Other Foods Available on the School Campus During the School Day and After the
School Day
School principals shall establish rules for foods and beverages brought from home for
classroom events or parties during the school day or for extracurricular activities after the
6140
2 of 7
6140 school day. The board encourages principals to establish rules that are consistent with the
Smart Snacks in School standards.
Fundraising activities that involve the sale of foods and/or beverages to students during
the school day (from midnight until 30 minutes after the dismissal bell rings) are
prohibited. See policy 6230, School Meal and Competitive Foods Standards.
School principals may establish standards for fund-raising activities conducted after the
school day (beginning 31 minutes after the dismissal bell rings) that involve the sale of
food and/or beverages. The board encourages alternative fundraising activities such as
non-food items or physical activity.
4. Food and Beverage Marketing
Food and beverage marketing on school campuses during the school day must meet
federal and state standards. In accordance with these standards, only foods and
beverages that meet the Smart Snack standards (as described in subsection C.2, above)
may be marketed or advertised on school campuses during the school day. To comply
with this requirement, existing supplies, materials, or equipment that depict noncompliant
products or logos will be replaced or removed in accordance with normal lifecycles or as
otherwise would occur in the normal course of business.
D. Physical Education and Physical Activity
1. Goals of the Physical Education Program
The goal of the physical education program is to promote lifelong physical activity and
provide instruction in the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong participation in
physical activity. To address issues such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type II
diabetes, students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade must have the opportunity
to participate in physical activity as part of the system’s physical education curriculum. The
goal for elementary schools is to provide 150 minutes weekly of quality physical education
with a certified physical education teacher. The goal for middle schools is to provide 225
minutes weekly of Healthful Living Education, divided equally between health and physical
education with certified health and physical education teachers.
2. The Physical Education Course
The physical education course should be designed to foster support and guidance for
being physically active, help students know and understand the value of being physically fit,
and teach students the types of activities that contribute to total fitness. The course is to
be taught in an environment where students can learn, practice, and receive assessment
on developmentally appropriate skills and knowledge as defined in the North Carolina
Healthful Living Standard Course of Study. Students should be engaged in moderate to
vigorous physical activity for fifty percent or more of class time. Class for physical
education should be equivalent in size to those of other academic classes.
3. Physical Activity Requirements and Goals
School personnel should strive to provide opportunities for age- and developmentally-
appropriate physical activity during the day for all students so that students can learn how
to maintain a physically active lifestyle. Schools must provide a minimum of 30 minutes of
moderate to vigorous physical activity daily for kindergarten through eighth-grade
students. Such activity may be achieved through a regular daily physical education class
6140
3 of 7
6140 as described in Sections D.1 and D.2 above, or through recess, dance, classroom
energizers and/or other curriculum-based physical activity programs of at least 10 minutes
duration, that, when combined, total 30 minutes of daily physical activity. Principals shall
work with teachers to ensure that students meet the minimum physical activity
requirement. The board will periodically measure and report progress toward meeting
these goals.
To ensure that students have ongoing opportunities for physical activity and maintain a
positive attitude towards physical activity, structured/unstructured recess and other
physical activity may not be taken away from students as a form of punishment. In
addition, severe and inappropriate exercise may not be used as a form of punishment for
students.
E. Other School-Based Activities to Promote Wellness
In addition to the standards discussed above, the board adopts the following goals for school-
based activities designed to promote wellness:
1. Schools will provide a clean and safe meal environment.
2. Students will be provided adequate time to eat meals.
3. Drinking water will be available at all meal periods and throughout the school day.
4. Professional development will be provided for school system nutrition staff.
5. To the extent possible, the school system will utilize available funding and outside
programs to enhance student wellness.
6. Food will not be used in the schools as a reward or punishment.
7. As appropriate, the goals of this wellness policy will be considered in planning all
school-based activities.
8. Physical activity opportunities before and after school will be available. All elementary,
middle, and high schools and community programs may offer extracurricular physical
activity programs, such as physical activity clubs or intramural programs. All high schools,
and middle schools, as appropriate, will offer interscholastic sports programs. Schools
will offer a range of activities that meet the needs, interests, and abilities of all students,
including boys, girls, students with disabilities, and students with special healthcare needs.
9. After-school childcare and enrichment programs will provide and encourage—verbally
and through the provision of space, equipment, and activities—daily periods of moderate
physical activity for all participants. The programs will also encourage healthy eating
habits, such as the Discovery Program.
10. The school district will assess and, if necessary and to the extent possible, make
needed improvements to make it safer and easier for students to walk and/or bike to
school or after-school activities. When appropriate, the district will work together with local
public works, public safety, and/or police departments in those efforts. The school district
will also encourage students to use public transportation when available and appropriate
for travel to school.
11. School spaces and facilities should be available to students, staff, and community
6140
4 of 7
6140 members before, during, and after the school day, on weekends, and during school
vacations. These spaces and facilities also should be available to community agencies
and organizations offering physical activity and nutrition programs. School policies
concerning safety will apply at all times.
12. Administrators, teachers, school nutrition personnel, students, parents or guardians,
and community members will be encouraged to serve as positive role models to promote
student wellness.
F. Implementation and Review of Policy
1. Oversight and Monitoring of Implementation and Progress
The lead wellness official, in conjunction with the school health advisory council, shall
oversee the implementation of this policy and monitor system schools, programs, and
curricula to ensure compliance with and to assess progress under this policy, related
policies, and established guidelines or administrative regulations. Each principal shall be
responsible for and shall report to the lead wellness official regarding compliance and
measurements of progress in his or her school. Staff members responsible for programs
related to student wellness also shall report to the lead wellness official regarding the
status of such programs.
2. Review of Policy
The lead wellness official shall work with members of the school health advisory council to
periodically review and update this policy based on the triennial assessment of the school
system’s compliance with the policy (see subsection F.4, below), progress toward meeting
the policy goals, and other relevant factors. The lead wellness official shall document the
review process and participants, and the method used to notify the school health advisory
council and/or other stakeholders of their ability to participate.
3. Annual Reporting
The lead wellness official shall prepare annual written reports to the superintendent and
NCDPI/State Board of Education that provide all information required by the
superintendent and/or the state pertaining to the school system’s efforts to comply with this
policy and SBE Policy SHLT-000.
4. Triennial Assessment
Beginning with school year 2017-18, and at least once every three years thereafter, the
superintendent or designee shall report to the board and public on the system’s
compliance with laws and policies related to student wellness, the implementation of this
policy, and progress toward meeting the goals of the policy. At a minimum, the
superintendent or designee shall measure and report the following:
1) the extent to which the individual schools are in compliance with this policy;
2) the extent to which the board’s wellness policy compares to model local school
wellness policies and meets state and federal requirements; and
3) a description of the progress made in attaining the goals of this policy.
The report may also include the following items:
6140
5 of 7
6140 4) a summary of each school’s activities undertaken in support of the policy goals;
5) an assessment of the school environment regarding student wellness issues;
6) an evaluation of the school nutrition services program;
7) a review of all foods and beverages sold in schools for compliance with
established nutrition guidelines;
8) a review of guidelines for foods and beverages available, but not sold, during the
school day, as described in subsection C.3, above;
9) information provided in the report from the school health advisory council, as
described in Section A, above; and
10) suggestions for improvement to this policy or other policies or programs.
G. Public Notification
1. The school system will publish contact information for the lead wellness official on the
school system website.
2. The lead wellness official shall assist the school health advisory council with annually
informing and updating the public about this policy and its implementation and State Board
Policy SHLT-000.
3. The superintendent or designee shall make public the results of the triennial assessment
described in subsection F.4 of this policy.
4. All information required to be reported under this section and any additional information
required by the state to be reported publicly shall be widely disseminated to students,
parents, and the community in an accessible and easily understood manner, which
includes posting the Wellness Assessment Checklist (completed by the principals at the
end of January, June, and October) on the school system website.
H. Recordkeeping
The superintendent shall maintain records to document compliance with this policy and all
federal and state requirements. These records, at a minimum, must include:
1. a written copy of this policy and any updates;
2. the most recent triennial assessment for each school;
3. documentation demonstrating:
a. the efforts to review and update this policy, as described in subsection F.2 of this
policy;
b. how this policy and information about the most recent triennial assessments have
been made available to the public, as described in Section G;
c. compliance with the annual reporting requirements of subsection F.3; and
d. other efforts to involve the school health advisory council and/or other community
6140
6 of 7
6140 members in the implementation of or assessment of compliance with this policy.
Legal References: Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, 42 U.S.C. 1751; Healthy,
Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, P.L. 111-296; National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.; 7
C.F.R. 210.11, 210.12, and 210.31; G.S. 115C-264.2; 16 N.C.A.C. 6H.0104; State Board of
Education Policies SHLT-000, CHNU-002
Cross References: Goals of Student Health Services (policy 6100), Goals of School Nutrition Services
(policy 6200), School Meal and Competitive Foods Standards (policy 6230)
Adopted: June 26, 2017
Revised: December 17, 2018; March 23, 2020; August 23, 2021; December 19, 2022

Clay County Schools

6140
7 of 7