2019-2020 Local Wellness Policy
Local Wellness Policy 2019-2020
CE Name: Harmony School of Excellence-District
CE ID: 00508
Schools Operating Under the Local Wellness Policy
Harmony School of Excellence- 001
Harmony School of Endeavor -002
Harmony Science Academy- Bryan- 003
Harmony School of Advancement – 004
Harmony School of Discovery- 005
Harmony School of Technology (formerly known Northwest) – 006
Harmony School of Achievement- 007
Harmony School of Enrichment- 008
Harmony Science Academy – Cypress – 081
Harmony School of Excellence District shall follow nutrition guidelines that advance student health and reduce childhood obesity and shall promote the general wellness of all students through nutrition education, physical activity, and other school based activities.
A- Nutrition Education and Promotion
The school shall implement, in accordance with law, a coordinated health program with nutrition education component and shall use health course curriculum that emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition.
In addition, the district establishes the following goals for nutrition education.
1- Students will receive nutrition education that fosters the adoption and maintenance of healthy eating behaviors.
2- Nutrition education will be a district wide priority and will be integrated into other areas of the curriculum, as appropriate.
3- Staff responsible for nutrition education will be adequately prepared and will participate in professional development activities to effectively deliver the program as planned at least once per semester.
4- The Child Nutrition staff, teachers, and other school personnel will coordinate the promotion of nutrition messages in the cafeteria, the classroom, and school-wide events and other appropriate events.
5- Educational nutrition information will be shared with families and the general public to positively influence the health of all stakeholders. This will include but is not limited to Child Nutrition information in the school newsletter.
B- Physical Activity and Promote Wellness
The district shall implement, in accordance with law, a coordinated health program with physical education and physical activity components and shall offer at least the required amount of physical activity for all grades.
In addition, the district establishes the following goals for physical activity:
1- The district will provide an environment that fosters safe and enjoyable fitness activities for all students, including those who are not participating in competitive sports.
2. Physical education classes will regularly emphasize moderate to vigorous activity.
3. The district will encourage teachers to integrate physical activity into the academic curriculum where appropriate.
4. The district will encourage parents to support their children’s participation, to be active role models, and to include physical activity in family events.
C- School Based Activities to Promote Wellness
The district shall create an environment conducive to healthy eating and physical activity through implementation of the following policies.
Students shall be allowed sufficient time to eat meals.
The lunchroom facilities shall be safe, clean, and visually promote a message of healthy eating and wellness.
Students shall have access to free potable water during mealtimes. The water may be provided through water fountains inside or directly adjacent to the cafeteria, water dispenser, or water pitcher and cups.
Nutrition and physical activity shall be promoted to students and their families at suitable school sponsored events.
The Child Nutrition Assistant will give an annual presentation to teachers and staff informing them about ways to promote healthy living in daily classroom life.
D- Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods Available
The nutrition guidelines for foods served by the district during the school day shall be adequate to advance students health and reduce childhood obesity and shall meet or exceed federal regulations and guidance, and that all foods available on each campus are in accordance with Texas Department of Agriculture policy and school‐established standards.
Fundraising Days
Exempt Days:
TDA policy allow for 6 days per school year for fundraising events that are exempt from the USDA Smart Snack Guidelines. These 6 days will be designated independently by the school principals and published in the school website.
-October 31, 2019
-December 19 & 20, 2019
-February 14, 2020
-April 9, 2020
-May 22, 2020
Fundraising Events Other Than Exempt Days:
Fundraising events other than exempt days must be in compliance with USDA Smart Snack Guidelines and Texas Department of Agriculture regulations. The dates for non-exempt fundraising events will be designated by school principals. These non-exempt fundraising events may occur any days of school.
Guidelines for Reimbursable Meals
The district shall ensure that nutrition guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall be at least as restrictive as federal regulations and guidance and that all foods available on each campus are in accordance with the Texas Department of Agriculture regulations.
Negative Balance Policy
All students in the district are allowed to carry a negative balance up to $10 in their lunch and breakfast accounts. Until each student reaches that dollar amount, he or she will continue to get regular lunch and breakfast service.
Measuring Implementation
The Superintendent or designee shall oversee the implementation of this policy and shall develop administrative procedures for periodically measuring the implementation of the wellness policy. The
Wellness Committee will conduct a yearly review of implementation, to (1) determine if the schools are in compliance with the LWP and (2) determine if the CE’s LWP aligns to model local wellness policies which use evidence-based strategies as well as (3) distribution of assessments results to the public with the results published on the schools’ websites.
Revisions and Updating the Policy
The District Health Committee will update or modify the district wellness policy based on the results of the annual progress reports and triennial assessments, and/or as district policies and priorities change; community needs change; wellness goals are met; and new Federal or State guidance or standards are issued. The wellness policy will be assessed and updated as indicated at least every three years, following the triennial assessment.
Committee Members
The district shall also seek to involve parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, the
Board, administrators, physical education teachers, school health professionals, and the public in the continued development and implementation of this school wellness policy
