On September 5, 2013, Kate Hatch coordinated a Healthy Schools Program workshop. This is the second year that Shannon Vogler from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation Foundation will provide support so districts can meet federal expectations regarding the district’s Wellness Policy.
Through the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (new Child Re-Authorization Act of 2010) every school in the nation who receives federal funding for school meals was required to make significant changes to their school meal pattern last year, as well as adopt new wellness policy guidelines around competitive foods and beverages. Schools were also required to review and adopt new guidelines to their wellness policy and establish wellness councils or committees to direct the design, implementation and evaluation of that policy. Schools must report on their implementation and evaluation of wellness goals each year to continue to receive federal funding.
The Healthy Schools Program workshop provides technical assistance and guides schools through a strategic planning process to help meet those requirements. The Healthy Schools Program also has a best practice Framework to direct schools in the right direction and the national leverage and expertise in resources to support schools in implementation. Educators know that “healthy kids learn better, are more attentive and have less behavioral problems”, so creating a healthier school environment is also a key strategy schools can use to overcome barriers to learning and provide a healthy place for students to learn and staff to work.
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