Wellness Policy

OHEL CHAYA is committed to a school environment which protects and promotes the health of our students.

We are committed to transmitting nutrition messages in the classrooms as well as in the lunchroom

– Teachers will integrate nutrition education into curriculum

– Nutrition education will promote fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat dairy products, healthy food preparation methods, and accurate portion sizes;

– Staff is strongly encouraged to model healthful eating habits

– Families will be requested to pack snacks that are nutritious

– Skill development, such as reading labels to evaluate the nutrient quality of foods, meal planning, analysis of health information;

School meals will include a variety of healthy choices while accommodating special dietary needs and ethnic and cultural food preferences.  

OHEL CHAYA is awaiting participation in the USDA school lunch program.

– All reimbursable meals will meet nutrition standards mandated by the USDA, as well as any additional state nutrition standards that go beyond USDA requirements;

All cafeteria staff will be provided training on USDA meal plans/reimbursable meals so they can properly advise students as to the meal components they may/must take, as well as food safety;

– Students will be provided at least 20 minutes eat lunch after being seated;

– Meals will be served in a clean and pleasant setting and under appropriate supervision. Rules for safe behavior will be consistently enforced;

– Students will have access to hand washing/hand sanitizing facilities before meals

 -Participation in school meal programs will be promoted.

Fundraising

– Non-food fundraising is promoted. When in-school fundraising involves food, items must meet the minimum nutrition standards for competitive foods

Celebrations

 Only foods that meet nutrition standards will be allowed at school celebrations;

– Parents will be made aware in advance of when a celebration with food is taking place and what is to be served; -.

Drinking Water

– Students and school staff members will have access to free, safe, fresh drinking water at all times throughout the school day. Cups will be available in the cafeteria if water fountains are not present, and water cups will be available near water fountains. 

– Water will be promoted as a substitute for sugar-sweetened beverages

– School staff will be encouraged to model drinking water consumption.

 Other

Food used as reward or punishment

Research clearly indicates that the use of food to reward/reinforce desirable behavior and academic performance, etc. has negative, unintended consequences. The use of food as a reward and withholding food as a punishment are strictly prohibited.

Physical Activity

All students will have opportunities for physical activity beyond physical education class on a daily basis. Classroom health education will reinforce the knowledge and skills needed to maintain a physically active lifestyle. Students will be encouraged to reduce sedentary time, and will not be required to engage in sedentary activities for more than two hours without an opportunity to stretch and move around. Short (3-5 minute) “energy release” physical activity breaks will be provided. Student will be encouraged to participate in physical activities and sports during recess breaks

Evaluation and Enforcement

This wellness policy was adopted by OHEL CHAYA.  This wellness policy shall be reviewed semi-annually by a group comprising individuals from the following : parents, teachers, students, school administration, food service director and staff. Policy is reviewed and revised, as needed.