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Nutrition and Wellness

Student Wellness Policy

The following are key points from the Student Wellness Policy. We ask that you review these points and keep them in mind when planning classroom and school activities.

  • Consideration shall be given to promoting health and reducing childhood obesity when offering food during the school day
  • Fundraising projects shall be encouraged to be supportive of healthy eating and student wellness
  • The use of food as a reward (or punishment) is discouraged
  • Classroom parties can include fresh fruits and vegetables, water or non-fat milk, low fat frozen yogurt or low fat ice cream as an alternative to regular ice cream, and a selection of peanut/tree nut-free snack choices (there may be times for various reasons that a classroom may not be able to have food items at a classroom party. The classroom teacher will notify their classroom families in such cases)
  • Foods containing potentially life-threatening allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, etc) will be clearly marked
  • Non-food items are suggested as an alternative to food
  • Follow serving sizes

Please contact your School Nurse if you would like a list of non-food items that can be used as rewards, need a list of “safe snacks” or have any other questions regarding your child’s health and well-being. Thank you for supporting our Student Wellness Policy.

Alternatives to Food Rewards

Research clearly demonstrates that healthy kids learn better. To provide the best possible learning environment for children, schools must provide an environment that supports healthy behaviors. Students need to receive consistent, reliable health information and ample opportunity to use it. Finding alternatives to food rewards is an important part of providing a healthy school environment.

Elementary Level

Grades K-5

Category

Examples / Ideas

Recognition
  • Trophy, plaque, or certificate
  • Ribbon
  • Stickers
  • Acknowledge child’s achievement during school wide announcements or school’s website
  • A phone call, e-mail, or letter sent to parents commending a child’s accomplishment
  • A recognition note to the student from the teacher

Individual Rewards
  • Verbal praise (including in front of others)
  • Nods, smiles, pat on the shoulder
  • Going first
  • Choosing a class activity
  • Helping the teacher
  • Having a extra few minutes of recess with a friend
  • Sitting by friends or in a special seat next to or at the teacher’s desk
  • Playing an educational computer or other game
  • Play a favorite game or do puzzles
  • Reading to a younger class
  • Read outdoors
  • Making deliveries to the office
  • Reading the school-wide morning announcements
  • Helping in another classroom
  • Eating lunch with teacher or principal
  • Private lunch in classroom with a friend
  • Listening with a headset to a book on tape or CD
  • Going to the library to select a book to read
  • Working at the school store
  • Taking a walk with the principal or teacher
  • Designing a class or hall bulletin board
  • Writing or drawing on the blackboard/whiteboard
  • Taking care of the class animal for a day
  • Allowing a child to choose an extra recess activity for the class on his/her birthday
  • Items that can only be used on special occasions (special art supplies, computer games, toys)
  • Bank system (earn play money used for privileges)
  • Trip to “Treasure Box” with non-food items (stickers, tattoos, pencils, erasers, bookmarks, desktop tents)

Class Rewards
  • Extra recess
  • Eating lunch outdoors
  • Have lunch or breakfast in the classroom
  • Going to the lunchroom first
  • Reading outdoors
  • Extra art, music, physical education, or reading time
  • Listening to music while working
  • Listen with headset to a book on audiotape
  • Fun physical activity break
  • Dancing to favorite music in the classroom
  • Playing a game or doing a puzzle together
  • “Free choice” time at the end of the day
  • A song, dance, or performance by the teacher or students
  • Teacher performs special skill (singing, cartwheel, guitar playing, etc.)
  • Teacher or volunteer reads special book to class
  • Bank system: (earn play money used for privileges)
  • Show-and-tell
  • Fun video

School Supplies
  • Pencils: colored, with logos, or other decorations
  • Pens / highlighters
  • Erasers
  • Notepads/notebooks
  • Boxes of crayons
  • Stencils
  • Stamps
  • Plastic scissors
  • Bookmarks
  • Chalk (e.g., sidewalk chalk)
  • Markers
  • Coloring books
  • Rulers
  • Glitter
  • Pencil sharpeners, grips, or boxes
  • Gift certificate to the school store
  • Receive a “mystery pack” (notepad, folder, sports cards, etc.)
  • Paperback book

Low-cost Alternatives
  • Key chains
  • Flashlights
  • Cups
  • Magnets
  • Yo-yos
  • Backscratchers
  • A plant or seeds and pot for growing a plant
  • Books
  • Earn tokens over a longer period of time to redeem for a “bigger” reward
 


Secondary Level

Grades 6-8
  • Sit with friends
  • Listen to music while working at desk
  • Five minute chat break at end of class
  • Reduced homework or “no homework” pass
  • Extra credit
  • Fun video
  • Fun brainteaser activities
  • Computer time
  • Assemblies Field trips
  • Sit with friends
  • Listen to music while working at desk
  • Five
  • Teaching the class
  • Eat lunch outside or have class outside

Grades 9-12
  • Extra credit
  • Reduced homework
  • Donated coupons to video stores, music stores or movies
  • Drawings for donated prizes among students who meet certain grades standards
  • Extra credit
  • Fun video
  • Teaching the class
  • Reduced homework
  • Donated coupons to video stores