BlueLine gif Hard Rule

OPI gifSchool Wellness Policy: Guidance for Montana Schools

Home   

Spacer Gif
 
Document Location: http://www.opi.mt.gov/schoolfood/wellness.html
Last Modified: 2/11/08

PDF icon Quick Guide for Using the School Wellness Policy Web Site

Local School Wellness Policy:  Guidance for Montana Schools

In 2004, Congress passed a law requiring each local educational agency participating in the USDA’s School Nutrition Programs to establish a local wellness policy by July 2006.  This requirement is intended to help combat childhood overweight and obesity; and to promote health enhancing behaviors in children.  The requirements included in the law, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, apply to all schools participating in the School Nutrition Programs (e.g. National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Special Milk Program). 

*For the purpose of this site, “wellness” refers to nutrition education and physical activity.*

 
IMPORTANT!

Schools must have a school wellness policy in place by the end of school year 2005-06.   The four requirements for the wellness policy are listed below.  Schools are encouraged to visit the USDA’s website by following the links included with the requirements and in the “Resources” section (below).  The Office of Public Instruction, Health Enhancement and Safety Division, looks forward to helping schools access existing information about how to establish a school wellness policy that will meet federal and state regulations and suit local needs.  New resources and policies will be added to this website as they become available.

Montana Board of Public Education Supports School Wellness Policy:
In January 2005, The Montana Board of Public Education adopted a position statement that encourages all Montana schools to have a school wellness policy in place by September 2006 and that such policy is consistent with the requirements of the USDA school wellness policy.  It states:

“By the 2006-07 school year, school wellness policies will be required in all schools that participate in federally funded school nutrition programs.  All students in all schools can benefit from the purposes of a school wellness policy.  To this end, the Board of Public Education encourages all Montana school districts to adopt and implement a school wellness policy.”


blue line


Requirements of the School Wellness Policy


As per the 2004 Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, a school wellness policy must include, at a minimum, the following four components:

  • Goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that are designed to promote student wellness in a manner that the local educational agency deems appropriate;

  • Nutrition guidelines for all foods available on each school campus during the school day,  with the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity, and assuring that school meals guidelines are consistent with federal requirements;

  • A plan for measuring implementation of the wellness policy, including the designation of one or more persons charged with operational responsibility for ensuring that the school meets the local wellness policy; and

  • Involvement of parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, the school board, school administrators, and the public in the development of the school wellness policy."


Pears and Apples

Requirements of the School Wellness Policy

Links to Help With Policy Implementation

Model Policies

Supporting Resources

For More Information

Contact information:
Christine Emerson, School Nutrition, 406-444-2501

Katie Bark, Montana Team Nutrition, 406- 994-5641

Cathy Kendall, Coordinated School Health, 406-444-0829

line

RESOURCES:

Please note:  Montana policies will be added as they are developed.  Educational agencies are encouraged to contribute to this website!  If your educational agency has a policy that your would like to share, please contact the Office of Public Instruction using the contact information provided.

Links to Help With Policy Implementation:

Model Policies:

Supporting Resources:

School Wellness Policy Workshop Resources

School Wellness Policy FAQs PDF icon

School Wellness Policy Implementation Checklist PDF icon

Maintain, Measure and Evaluate PDF icon

Menus and MyPyramid PDF icon

Nutrition Standards for Healthy Food Choices PDF icon

Healthy Vending Strategies PDF icon

HealthierUS School Challenge PDF icon

  10 Ways to Increase Physical Activity at School PDF icon

line

For More Information:

Coordinated School Health Program
School Nutrition Programs
Montana School Board Association External Link icon

Christine Emerson
School Nutrition Programs
Office of Public Instruction
P.O. Box 202501
Helena, MT 59620-2501
(406) 444-2501
Fax: 444-2955E-mail: cemerson@mt.gov
Cathy Kendall
Coordinated School Health
Office of Public Instruction
P. O. Box 202501
Helena, MT 59620-2501
(406) 444-0829
E-mail: cakendall@mt.gov

Katie Bark
Montana Team Nutrition Program
Montana State University
202 Romney Gym, P.O. Box 173360
Bozeman, MT 59717-3360
(406) 994-5641
Fax: (406) 994-7300
E-mail: kbark@mt.gov

Back to Top GIF

                                                      

                                       

 

 

                                        

                                                       

                                           

                                               

                                                

                                         

                                                           

 


Corner fill Gif