Student Wellness

RCPS Policy 9.16

Leadership

The Roanoke County Public Schools (RCPS) wellness policy leader, i.e., wellness coordinator, with support from the health and wellness committee, i.e., school health advisory board (SHAB) shall implement and ensure compliance with the Local School Wellness Policy (Wellness Policy) by leading the review, update, and evaluation of the policy.

Public Involvement

The division will invite a diverse group of stakeholders and the public to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the Wellness Policy. The public will be notified through social media posts, the division website, or other mode of public notification for opportunities to participate.

School Meals

All schools within RCPS, excluding Burton Center for Arts and Technology, participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and/or any additional federal meal program(s) the division or school participates in. All meals served to students meet or exceed current nutrition requirements established under the Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010, as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 7CFR210.10 and 7CFR220.8.

Select schools within RCPS will provide breakfast through at least one alternative breakfast service model in addition to the traditional breakfast service in the cafeteria to encourage breakfast consumption and ensure access for every student. Alternative breakfast models include Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab-and-Go Breakfast, and Second Chance Breakfast.

Foods Sold Outside of School Meal Programs (Smart Snacks)

Any foods and beverages sold to students at school during the school day other than those foods provided as part of the school meal programs shall meet the standards established in USDA-FNS Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in Schools (Smart Snacks) rule. The school day is defined by USDA as the period from midnight the night before to 30 minutes after the end of the instructional day. This includes foods and beverages sold in vending machines and a la carte.

Foods Provided, Not Sold

The division encourages foods offered on the school campus meet or exceed the USDA-FNS Smart Snacks rule including those provided at celebrations or classroom snacks brought by staff or family members. Foods and beverages will not be used as a reward or withheld as punishment.

Food and Beverage Marketing

Marketing of any foods and beverages on the school campus during the school day must meet the USDA-FNS Smart Snacks rule.

School-Sponsored Fundraisers

Fundraising during school hours will sell school recommended non-food items or foods and beverages that meet or exceed the USDA-FNS Smart Snacks rule or the designated exemption requirement. Schools are encouraged to promote physical activity fundraisers such as walk-a-thons, jump rope for heart, and fun runs.

Any fundraiser that sells food or beverages may not be conducted during meal service times. This includes from 6:00 a.m. to the end of the breakfast period and from the beginning of the first lunch period to the end of the last lunch period.

The fundraiser designee approves, tracks, and monitors fundraisers to ensure compliance with the nutrition standards for school-sponsored fundraisers. The fundraiser designee for RCPS is the school principal, and a fundraiser-tracking document is kept on file in the main office.

Nutrition Education

RCPS provides at least 140 minutes of nutrition education to every student and exceed the expectations of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Health Standards of Learning (SOLs) by integrating nutrition concepts and skills into mathematics, language arts, social science, and elective courses throughout the school year.  In addition, a Nutrition and Wellness course is offered at all five base high schools. The cafeteria environment reinforces nutrition education provided in the classroom.

Nutrition Promotion

RCPS promotes positive nutrition habits in the cafeteria, classrooms, and throughout the school environment. Schools may participate in nutrition promotion through farm to school activities, such as:

• Local foods served in school are promoted with signage and/or social media posts;
• Special events revolve around agriculture or farming;
• Career exploration, internships, and mentoring opportunities are available;
• An active school garden is operated, and garden produce is offered in the cafeteria;
• A local agricultural farmer visits our school each school year;
• Students take field trips to local agricultural farms.

Physical Education/Physical Activity

RCPS provides every student with physical education that exceeds the expectations of the VDOE Physical Education SOLs and teaches the skills needed to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of personal fitness and develop the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and confidence needed to be physically active for life. A program of physical activity is provided for all students in grades kindergarten through five consisting of at least 20 minutes per day or an average of 100 minutes per week during the school year. A program of physical activity is available to all students in grades six through 12 with a goal of at least 150 minutes per week on average during the school year.

Other Activities that Promote Student Wellness

RCPS provides school climates that support social and emotional wellbeing and promote positive relationships among students, staff, parents, and community members.  All RCPS schools implement positive behavior interventions and supports as part of their strategic plan. Schools provide students with instruction to increase self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.  In addition, mental health instruction is provided, and counseling services and resources are available to students.

Triennial Assessment

The division will evaluate compliance with the Wellness Policy no less than once every three years and make the results available to the public on the school website. The assessment will include the extent to which each school is in compliance with the policy regulations, the extent to which the policy compares to a model policy, and a description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the policy. The assessment results will be used to update the Wellness Policy.

Public Update and Information

Annually, the division will inform families and the public about the content, implementation, and/or any updates to the Wellness Policy through the school website and school board meetings.  In addition, the School Health Advisory Board will meet regularly to offer community and division input.