Accordion
Does Your Wellness Policy Measure Up?
Local Wellness Policy Triennial Assessment
A local school wellness policy is a written plan that includes methods to promote student health and wellness. This optional assessment form can be used to complete the assessment of the policy, which must be conducted at least once every three years. The required components of the assessment include:
I. Compliance with the local school wellness policy;
II. How the local school wellness policy compares to model local school wellness policies; and
III. Progress made in attaining the goals of the local school wellness policy.
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General Information
District Name: RSU 06 / MSAD 06
Names of schools included in this assessment: Bonny Eagle High School, Bonny Eagle Middle School, Buxton Center Elementary School, Edna Libby Elementary School, George E. Jack Elementary School, H.B. Emery Jr. Memorial School, Hollis Elementary School, Steep Falls Elementary School, The Learning Center at Frank Jewett
Date: May 2025
The local wellness policy can be found online: District Website (bonnyeagle.org), Our School Board, Policies & Administrative Rules, Section J, JL Wellness Policy
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Leadership
Does the policy identify at least one school official with the authority and responsibility to ensure that each school within the district complies with the policy? ☒Yes
NOTES: Clay Gleason, Superintendent
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Public Involvement & Notification
Does the policy allow parents, students, School Food Service, Teachers of Physical Education, School Health Professionals, School Administrators, School Board Members, and the General Public to participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of the policy? ☒YES
NOTES: District Wellness Committee participation is offered to all and highly encouraged.
Parent: Multiple Wellness Committee members listed are also parents of students in our District.
Student: No current representative.
School Food Service: Erin Miller
Physical Education Teacher: No current representative.
School Health Professional: Cheryl Poitras
School Administrator: Sue Sydnor
School Board Member: Paul Welch, Christina Silvestri
General Public: No current representative.
Other: Lori Napolitano (Assistant Superintendent), Jennifer Barschdorf (HR), Kayla Gray (HR), Mitzii Smith (Transportation), Cherie Goranites (Adult Ed), Tonya Muchemore (Technology), Heath Cormier (Technology), Janet Keuch (Ed Tech), Reegan Hebert (MaineHealth)
Annually, the public is informed about the content and implementation of the policy & the progress towards meeting the goals. ☒In Progress
NOTES:
- School secretaries send out Opening Day packets on behalf of District Administration at the beginning of each school year, which include District Wellness Policy and Committee information.
- Our Wellness Policy is posted on our District website and available to the public.
- Will request that this Triennial Assessment also be posted on our District website and made available to the public.
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Assessment
Enter the goals from the LWP below. Indicate if they are being met, partially met, or not being met. Use the ‘notes’ section to indicate how the goals are being met and additional work that is needed.
Nutrition Education Goals:
Provide students with nutrition education that teaches the knowledge and skills needed to adopt healthy eating behaviors. The District shall teach, model, encourage, and support healthy eating by all students. Schools shall provide nutrition education throughout K-12 curriculum, and engage in nutrition promotion that:
Is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health. ☒MEET
Promotes fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, and healthy food preparation methods. ☒MEET
NOTES: This is achieved via programming provided throughout K-12 curriculum, as well as nutrition education and promotion done in all cafeterias and by healthy school meals being available to all students.
Provide nutrition-related skills including but not limited to planning healthy meals, understanding and using food labels, and critically evaluating nutrition information, misinformation, and commercial food advertising, and how to assess personal eating habits, set goals for improvement, and achieve those goals. ☒MEET
NOTES:
High School:
Foundations of Wellness (mandatory for all students to graduate from BEHS):
- Physical Education course that includes a full unit on Nutrition.
Middle School:
Grade 7 Health (mandatory):
- Includes a unit on Nutrition (approx. 20 days)
Food for Wellness (optional, elective course):
- Includes a Nutrition for Wellness unit (approx. 12 days)
Elementary Schools:
Nutrition education is based on programming and / or support provided by individual teachers and / or the School Nutrition team (in the serving lines, cafeterias, etc.).
Students shall receive consistent nutrition messages throughout the schools, including classrooms, cafeteria, field trips to farms, school gardens, etc., and school-home communications. ☒PARTIALLY MEET
NOTES: Consistent nutrition messaging and promotion are achieved the majority of the time. However, there are occasions when classroom or building celebrations, field trips, etc. that do not meet these goals are permitted.
Nutrition education is aligned with state and federal learning objectives and standards. ☒MEET
NOTES: Per Erin Maguire, Grades 6-12 Curriculum Coordinator, our health and nutrition programming aligns with the MDOE Health Standards, the Maine Guiding Principles, and the Food and Consumer Science National Standards.
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Nutrition Promotion Goals:
The District shall promote healthy food and beverage choices for all students throughout the school campus, as well as encourage participation in school meal programs. ☒PARTIALLY MEET
NOTES: Please see above.
Schools shall promote consumption of water as an essential element in maintaining overall health and wellness. ☒MEET
NOTES: Water fountains and / or water dispensers are available and accessible to all students in each school building. Potable water is also provided in each cafeteria at each meal service daily if there is no water fountain or water dispenser readily available.
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Physical Activity Goals:
Physical activity during the school day (including but not limited to recess, classroom physical activity breaks, or physical education) should not be withheld as consequence or punishment to the extent practicable. In a case of safety/behavioral concerns, those must be addressed before participating in recess. ☒MEET
NOTES: Currently, all PK-5 students have a minimum of 30 minutes of recess (physical activity) daily. There are also numerous opportunities for physical activity with motor breaks, agility, and sensory activities throughout the day. PK-5 students also have 40 minutes of physical education class each week.
Currently, middle school students have opportunities for regular unstructured recess time (physical activity) and physical education classes throughout the week, but the amount of time varies across classes and grade levels.
At MSAD 6, high school students are required to take 1 credit of physical education at some point during high school. This is a local requirement. Currently, the state of Maine does not require PE for high school students, just health. Extracurricular activities/sports are offered and encouraged.
State Law prohibits schools from withholding recess as a form of discipline.
To the extent practicable, the District shall ensure that its grounds and facilities are safe and that equipment is available to students to be active. The District shall conduct necessary inspections and repairs - ☒PARTIALLY MEET
NOTES: This is currently a work in progress at some schools. Playground equipment at some locations is in need of repair – this is currently being addressed by our Facilities department.
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Other school-based activities that promote student wellness goals:
The MSAD 6 schools, with prior approval of the Superintendent, may implement other appropriate wellness activities that support consistent wellness messages, promoting and incorporating healthy eating and physical activity in the school culture. ☒MEET
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Nutrition Standards for foods SOLD to students:
The District is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages sold to all students on the school campus support healthy eating. ☒MEET
NOTES: All foods and beverages sold to students during the school day (a la carte items) meet USDA Smart Snack nutrition standards.
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Nutrition standards for foods NOT SOLD/provided during the school day:
The foods and beverages sold and served after school hours are strongly encouraged to meet the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools or NSLP nutrition standards, including before/after care, whether run by the school or an outside party, and the extended school day, including after school programming and clubs. ☒MEET
NOTES: The Smart Snack requirement for after school programs and activities is challenging because the District does not actually provide these snacks. Generally, they are sold as concessions or parent booster groups provide them for participants. Healthy options are strongly encouraged, but not required.
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Food & Beverage Marketing:
Does the policy only permit the marketing of food and beverage that meet federal smart snack guidelines? ☒MEET
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Triennial Assessment:
Every three years the policy has been evaluated for compliance. ☒YES
The policy has been compared to model policies (i.e. Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Rudd Center’s WellSAT 3.0). ☒YES
NOTES: The MSAD 6 Wellness Policy has been compared to the Rudd Center’s WellSAT model policy. Our policy scored well in many areas – 81 for total comprehensiveness and 65 for total strength. Of note, this tool was tested in a sample of 50 school districts around the country and the average comprehensiveness score was 54 and the average strength score was 33.
Potential areas for improvement identified:
Federal Requirements:
- Regulates food and beverages served at class parties and other school celebrations in elementary schools.
o Addressed (i.e. must be Smart Snack compliant, alternatives for students with various dietary needs and restrictions must be available, etc.), but food is still allowed as opposed to offering non-food activities or privileges only.
- Addresses making triennial assessment results available to the public and specifies what will be included.
o Partially addressed. Does not mention “the extent to which the LEA’s local school wellness policy compares to model local school wellness policies.”
- Addresses a plan for updating policy based on results of the triennial assessment.
o Not mentioned.
Nutrition Environment and Services:
- Addresses how to handle feeding children with unpaid meal balances without stigmatizing them.
o Not mentioned and not currently needed – school meals are free of charge for all students.
- Specifies how families are provided information about determining eligibility for free / reduced price meals.
o Not mentioned and not currently needed – school meals are free of charge for all students.
- Addresses purchasing local foods for the school meals program.
o Not mentioned.
- Addresses foods and beverages containing caffeine at the high school level.
o Not mentioned.
- Addresses nutrition standards for all foods and beverages served and sold to students after the school day, including aftercare on school grounds, clubs, and after-school programming.
o Our policy “strongly encourages” or “encourages” that all foods and beverages served and / or sold to students after school hours meet USDA Smart Snack nutrition standards, but it is not required.
Nutrition Education:
- Nutrition education is integrated into other subjects beyond health education.
o Suggested and encouraged, but not required.
- Links nutrition education with the food environment.
o Suggested and encouraged, but not required.
- Nutrition education addresses agriculture and the food system.
o Not mentioned.
Physical Education and Physical Activity:
- Addresses time per week of physical education instruction for all elementary school students.
o At least 30 minutes of physical education is currently required per week. Should state 150 minutes per week.
- Addresses time per week of physical education instruction for all middle and high school students.
o All middle and high school students are currently required to participate in physical education per state physical education requirements. Should state 225 minutes per week.
- Addresses qualifications for physical education teachers for grades K-12.
o Not mentioned.
- Addresses providing physical education training for physical education teachers.
o Suggested, but vague.
- Addresses family and community engagement in physical activity opportunities at all schools.
o The District is to promote and notify families and the community about health promotion efforts and opportunities to participate in school-sponsored activities, but it is not required that schools develop comprehensive physical activity programs that address family and community engagement in physical activity.
- Addresses before and after school physical activity for all students including clubs, intramural, interscholastic opportunities.
o Suggested and encouraged, but not required.
- Joint or shared-use agreements for physical activity participation at all schools.
o Suggested and encouraged when feasible, but not required.
- District addresses active transport (Safe Routes to School) for all K-12 students who live within walkable / bikeable distance.
o Not mentioned.
- Addresses physical activity not being used as a punishment.
o Not mentioned.
Integration and Coordination:
- Addresses the establishment of an ongoing school building-level wellness committee.
o Not mentioned.
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A copy of the assessment is made available to the public. ☒YES
NEPN/NSBA CODE: JL
Wellness Policy
MSAD 6 (hereto referred to as the District) recognizes that student wellness and good nutrition are related to students’ physical and psychological well-being and their readiness to learn. The Board of Directors is committed to providing a school environment that supports student wellness, healthy food choices, nutrition education and regular physical activity. The Board believes that students who learn and practice healthy lifestyles in their formative years may be more likely to be conscious of the importance of good nutrition and exercise as adults, practice healthy habits, and reduce their risk of obesity, and the possible onset of related illnesses. The District shall establish and maintain an infrastructure for management, oversight, implementation, communication about and monitoring of the policy and its established goals and objectives. This policy applies to all students, staff, and schools in the District. Specific measurable goals and outcomes are identified within each section below.
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Wellness Goals
The Board has identified the following goals associated with student wellness.
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Healthy Eating
This policy outlines the District’s approach to ensuring environments and opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day. Specifically, this policy establishes goals and procedures to ensure that:
1. Schools shall provide quality nutrition education that focuses on the skills students need to develop and maintain lifelong healthy eating behaviors;
2. Nutrition education shall continue to be updated and integrated into other subjects as appropriate to complement, not replace, the health education program;
3. Students in the District have access to healthy foods throughout the school through reimbursable school meals in accordance with federal and state nutrition standards and schools shall also encourage maximum participation in school meal programs;
4. Administrators and staff are encouraged and supported to practice healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviors in and out of school.
5. Parents shall be encouraged to provide nutritionally sound snacks and/or non-food items from home for classroom parties, celebrations, or events;
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Physical Activity
1. The physical education program shall provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to be physically fit and take part in healthful physical activity on a regular basis;
2. Physical education classes shall keep all students involved in purposeful activity for a majority of the class period;
3. Physical education classes shall provide opportunity to learn for students of all abilities;
4. The District shall provide a physical and social environment that encourages safe and enjoyable physical activity and fosters the development of a positive attitude toward health and fitness throughout the school day;
5. Appropriate professional development shall be provided for physical education staff and other staff involved in the delivery of such programs.
6. The schools shall encourage parents to support their children’s participation in physical activity, to be physically active role models, and to include physical activity in family events.
I. School Wellness Committee
Committee Role and Membership
The District shall convene a representative district wellness committee (hereto referred to as the DWC) that meets at least 5 times per year to establish goals for and overseeschool health and wellness policies and programs, including development, implementation, and periodic review and update of this district-level wellness policy. The Superintendent shall appoint a district-wide wellness committee seeking representation from all relevant stakeholder groups such as: Board Member, School Administrator, School Nurse, Classroom and Physical Education Teachers, Support staff representative(s), School Nutrition Director, Student Representative, Community Organization or Agency Representative, and Parent or Community Representative. The Wellness Committee shall serve as an advisory committee in regard to student wellness issues and shall be responsible for making recommendations related to the wellness policy, wellness goals, administrative or school regulations and practices, or raising awareness of student health issues. With the prior approval of the Superintendent/designee, the Wellness Committee may survey parents, students and the community and/or conduct focus groups or community forums.
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Leadership
The Superintendent or designee(s) shall convene the DWC and facilitate development of and updates to the wellness policy, and shall ensure each school’s compliance with the policy. The designated official for oversight is the Superintendent of Schools.
II. Wellness Policy Implementation, Monitoring, Accountability and
community Engagement
Implementation Plan
The District shall develop and maintain a plan for implementation to manage and coordinate the execution of this wellness policy. The plan shall have specific goals and objectives for nutrition standards for all foods and beverages available on the school campus, food and beverage marketing, nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, physical education, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. This information shall be made available on the District website.
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Recordkeeping
The District shall retain a copy of the School Board approved wellness policy online on the District’s webpage. Additional documentation shall be made available online at the web address above.
1. The written wellness policy;
2. Documentation demonstrating that the policy has been made available to the public;
3. Documentation of efforts to review and update the local schools’ wellness policy; including an indication of who is involved in the update and methods the district uses to make stakeholders aware of their ability to participate on the DWC.
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Annual Notification of Policy
The District shall actively inform families and the public each year of basic information about this policy, including its content, any updates to the policy, and implementation status. The District shall make this information available via the District website and/or district-wide communications.
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Triennial Progress Assessments
At least once every three years, the District shall evaluate compliance with the wellness policy to assess the implementation of the policy and include:
1. The extent to which schools under the jurisdiction of the District are in compliance with the wellness policy;
2. A description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the District’s wellness policy.
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Community Involvement, Outreach and Communications
The District is committed to being responsive to community input, which begins with awareness of the wellness policy. The District shall actively communicate ways in which representatives of DWC and others can participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the wellness policy.
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III. Nutrition Standards
School Meals
The District is committed to serving healthy meals to children, with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat milk that are moderate in sodium, and low in saturated fat. All schools within the District participate in USDA child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP). All schools within the District are committed to offering school meals through the NSLP and SBP programs, and other applicable federal child nutrition programs, that:
1. Are accessible to all students;
2. Are appealing and attractive to children (Examples to support this: taste testing in the cafeteria, bus schedules align with meal schedules, using the USDA Smarter Lunchroom tools);
3. Are served in clean and pleasant settings, with adequate space and seating, and with appropriate supervision to ensure the following of rules and safe behavior;
4. Meet or exceed current nutrition requirements established by local, state, and federal statutes and regulations. The District offers reimbursable school meals that meet USDA Nutrition Standards: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/nutrition-
standards-school-meals.
The District and the School Lunch Program commit to the following:
1. Promote healthy food and beverage choices;
2. School meals are administered by a team of child nutrition professionals;
3. Dietary accommodations shall be made in accordance with federal guidelines;
4. Students are served lunch at a reasonable and appropriate time of day and shall be provided adequate time (minimum of 20 minutes) to eat lunch;
5. Participation in federal child nutrition programs shall be promoted among students and families to help ensure that families know what programs are available in their children’s school (this shall include the promotion of the Summer Food Service Program);
6. Parents shall be advised that free and reduced meal programs are available and the eligibility criteria shall be made public;
7. Utilizing our Point of Sale (POS) system, the district shall take steps to ensure no overt overidentification of eligibility and that competitive foods are sold from the same lines as reimbursable meals (Free and reduced lunch applications are available on the district website and are sent home as part of a “Welcome to School” packet.);
8. School personnel are encouraged to model nutritious food choices and eating habits;
9. School personnel shall assist students in developing the healthy practice of washing hands before eating; especially in the elementary grades;
10. School staff may not provide permission for students to leave campus for the purpose of getting lunch (The District has a closed campus policy.);
11. All school nutrition staff, including the Food Service Director, shall meet all USDA
12. Professional Standards at the state and local levels;
13. Specific nutrition information shall be provided to parents upon request;
14. PreK-5 schools are encouraged to provide recess before lunch.
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Water
To promote hydration, free, safe, unflavored drinking water shall be available to all students throughout the school day. The District shall make drinking water available where school meals are served during meal times, providing students with cups and pitchers of water if no filling station is available. Students shall be allowed to bring and carry water bottles filled with only water with them throughout the day.
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Competitive Foods and Beverages
The District is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages sold to all students on the school campus support healthy eating. The foods and beverages sold and served after school hours are strongly encouraged to meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. The District encourages that foods and beverages served to students in before/after care, whether run by the school or an outside party, shall meet Child and Adult Care Food Program Nutrition standards, Smart Snack standards, or National School Lunch Program standards. The District encourages that foods and beverages sold to students during the extended school day, including after school programming and clubs, shall meet Smart Snack standards. A summary of the standards and information, as well as a Guide to Smart Snacks in Schools are available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/guide-smart-snacks-school
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Celebrations and Rewards
1. Foods and beverages served at school day celebrations are expected to comply with the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards;
2. Foods and beverages are expected to not be used as rewards, incentives, or withheld as discipline for student behavior or performance. Non-food items or physical activity are recommended as rewards or incentives;
3. When foods and beverages are offered, there shall be alternatives available for students to accommodate various dietary needs and restrictions;
4. The Food Service Director shall provide parents and staff with a list of party foods that meet the Smart Snack standards. It is suggested that the staff use the District’s Food Service Department to ensure good nutrition.
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Fundraising
It is recommended that schools avoid participation in fundraising and corporate incentive programs that promote a message inconsistent with our goals for a healthy school community.
1. During the school day, all schools district-wide shall use either 1) non-food fundraisers and encourage those promoting physical activity (such as walk-a-thons, Jump Rope for Heart, fun runs, etc.) or 2) foods and beverages that meet or exceed the Smart Snacks nutrition standards (such as popcorn, fruit baskets, pizza kits).
2. Fundraising efforts for groups that meet outside of school hours are encouraged to sell non-food items (such as wrapping paper, candles, greeting cards, t-shirts, etc.) or foods and beverages that meet or exceed the Smart Snacks nutrition standards (such as popcorn, fruit baskets, pizza kits).
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Nutrition Promotion
Nutrition promotion and education positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by using evidence-based techniques and nutrition messages, and by creating food environments that encourage healthy nutrition choices and encourage participation in school meal programs. Nutrition promotion also includes marketing and advertising nutritious foods and beverages to students and is most effective when implemented consistently through a comprehensive and multi-channel approach by school staff, teachers, parents, students, and the community. The District shall promote healthy food and beverage choices for all students throughout the school campus, as well as encourage participation in school meal programs. Schools shall promote consumption of water as an essential element in maintaining overall health and wellness.
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IV. Nutrition Education
The goal of the District is to provide students with nutrition education that teaches the knowledge and skills needed to adopt healthy eating behaviors. The District shall teach, model, encourage, and support healthy eating by all students. Schools shall provide nutrition education throughout K-12 curriculum, and engage in nutrition promotion that:
1. Is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health;
2. Promotes fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, and healthy food preparation methods;
3. Provide nutrition-related skills including but not limited to planning healthy meals, understanding and using food labels, and critically evaluating nutrition information, misinformation, and commercial food advertising, and how to assess personal eating habits, set goals for improvement, and achieve those goals;
4. Students shall receive consistent nutrition messages throughout the schools, including classrooms, cafeteria, field trips to farms, school gardens, etc., and school-home communications;
5. Nutrition education is aligned with state and federal learning objectives and standards.
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Food and Beverage Marketing in Schools
The District is committed to providing a school environment that ensures opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day while minimizing commercial distractions. It is the intent of the District to protect and promote students’ health by permitting advertising and marketing for only those foods and beverages that are in compliance with Smart Snacks standards, consistent with the District’s wellness policy. As the District/School Nutrition Services Department/Athletics Department/PTA/PTO reviews existing contracts and considers new contracts, equipment and product purchasing (and replacement) decisions should reflect the applicable marketing guidelines established by the District wellness policy.
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V. Physical Activity & Education
Physical activity during the school day (including but not limited to recess, classroom physical activity breaks, or physical education) should not be withheld as consequence or punishment to the extent practicable. In a case of safety/behavioral concerns, those must to be addressed before participating in recess. To the extent practicable, the District shall ensure that its grounds and facilities are safe and that equipment is available to students to be active. The District shall conduct necessary inspections and repairs.
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Physical Education
The District shall provide physical education curriculum, using an age-appropriate, sequential physical education curriculum consistent with national and state standards for physical education. The physical education curriculum shall promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and shall help students develop skills to engage in lifelong healthy habits. The curriculum shall support the essential components of physical education. All students shall be provided equal opportunity to participate in physical education classes. The District shall make appropriate accommodations to allow for equitable participation for all students and shall adapt physical education classes and equipment as necessary. Schools may not allow students to substitute other school or community activities for required physical education time or credit. All District elementary students in each grade shall receive physical education for at least 30 minutes per week throughout the school year, per state physical education requirements. All District secondary students (middle and high school) are required to participate in physical education, per state physical education requirements. The District physical education program shall promote student physical fitness through individualized fitness and activity assessments (via the Presidential Youth Fitness Program or other appropriate assessment tool) and shall use criterion-based reporting for each student.
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Essential Physical Activity Topics in Health Education
Health education shall be required in all grades (elementary) and the District shall require middle and high school students to take and pass at least one health education course. The District shall include in the health education or PE curriculum a minimum of 12 of the following essential topics on physical activity:
1. The physical, psychological, or social benefits of physical activity;
2. How physical activity can contribute to a healthy weight;
3. How physical activity can contribute to the academic learning process;
4. How an inactive lifestyle contributes to chronic disease;
5. Health-related fitness, that is, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition;
6. Differences between physical activity, exercise, and fitness;
7. Phases of an exercise session, that is, warm up, workout, and cool down;
8. Overcoming barriers to physical activity;
9. Decreasing sedentary activities, such as TV watching;
10. Opportunities for physical activity in the community;
11. How to find valid information or services related to physical activity and fitness;
12. How to influence, support, or advocate for others to engage in physical activity;
13. How to resist peer pressure that discourages physical activity.
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Recess (Elementary)
All elementary schools shall offer at least 20 minutes of recess on all days during the school year. If recess is offered before lunch, schools shall have appropriate hand-washing facilities and/or hand-sanitizing mechanisms located just inside/outside the cafeteria to ensure proper hygiene prior to eating and students are required to use these mechanisms before eating. In the event that the school or district must conduct indoor recess, teachers and staff shall follow the indoor recess guidelines that promote physical activity for students, to the extent practicable. Recess shall complement, not substitute, physical education class. Recess monitors or teachers shall encourage students to be active, and shall serve as role models by being physically active alongside the students whenever feasible.
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Classroom Physical Activity Breaks (Elementary and Secondary)
The District recognizes that students are more attentive and ready to learn if provided with periodic breaks when they can be physically active or stretch. Thus, students shall be offered periodic opportunities to be active or to stretch throughout the day on all or most days during a typical school week. The District recommends teachers provide short (3-5 minute) physical activity breaks to students during and between classroom time at least three days per week. These physical activity breaks shall complement, not substitute, for physical education class.
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Active Academics
Teachers shall incorporate movement and kinesthetic learning approaches into “core” subject instruction when possible (e.g., science, math, language arts, social studies, and others) and do their part to limit sedentary behavior during the school day. The District shall support classroom teachers incorporating physical activity and employing kinesthetic learning approaches into core subjects by providing annual professional development opportunities and resources, including information on leading activities, activity options, as well as making available background material on the connections between learning and movement. Teachers shall serve as role models by being physically active alongside the students whenever feasible.
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Before and After School Activities
The District may offer opportunities for students to participate in physical activity either before and/or after the school day (or both) through a variety of methods. The District shall work to increase opportunities and ensure adequate access to physical activity.
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VI. Other Activities that Promote Student Wellness
The MSAD 6 schools, with prior approval of the Superintendent/designee, may implement other appropriate wellness activities that support consistent wellness messages, promoting and incorporating healthy eating and physical activity in the school culture.
Community Partnerships
The District shall continue relationships with community partners (e.g., hospitals, universities/colleges, local businesses, SNAP-Ed providers and coordinators, etc.) in support of the implementation of this wellness policy.
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Community Health Promotion and Family Engagement
The District shall promote to parents/caregivers, families, and the general community the benefits of and approaches for healthy eating and physical activity throughout the school year. The District shall use electronic mechanisms (e.g., email or displaying notices on the District’s website), as well as non-electronic mechanisms (e.g., newsletters, presentationsto parents or sending information home to parents), to ensure that all families are actively notified of opportunities to participate in school-sponsored activities and receive information about health promotion efforts. As feasible, school physical activity facilities shall be made available after school hours for student, parent, and community use to encourage participation in physical activity.
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Staff Wellness and Health Promotion
The DWC shall have a staff wellness subcommittee that focuses on staff wellness issues, identifies and disseminates wellness resources, and performs other functions that support staff wellness. The District shall implement strategies to support staff in actively promoting and modeling healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. The District promotes staff member participation in health promotion programs and shall support programs for staff members on healthy eating/weight management that are accessible and free or low-cost. Staff wishing to consume snacks or lunch alongside students are encouraged to have healthy food and beverages present.
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Professional Learning
When feasible, the District shall offer annual professional learning opportunities and resources for staff to increase knowledge and skills about promoting healthy behaviors in the classroom and school.
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Legal Reference: 42 U.S.C. § 1751 (Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids
Act) 7CFR Parts 210 and 220
20-A MRSA § 6662
Cross Reference: JJE-R – Solicitations and Fundraising
Activities KF – Non School Use of MSAD
6 Facilities KFA – Grounds Policy
First Reading: November 6, 2006
Second Reading: December 4, 2006
Adopted: December 4, 2006
Reviewed: February 3, 2014; October 16, 2017; April 6, 2020; November 6, 2023
Revised: February 3, 2014, October 16, 2017; April 6, 2020