Purpose

The nutritional quality of our diet affects our well-being throughout our lives, but it has an even greater impact on children whose bodies and minds are still growing.  Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in the developmental, cognitive and behavioral outcomes in life.

We, at HFCS, believe good nutrition is a building block to learning.  Learning about healthy eating can never start too early.  Understanding the importance of proper nutrition is especially important for parents of small children, but also for older children who begin to make their own choices.  We are committed to providing good nutrition for our students and hoping they will make healthy choices on their own.

Your child can learn good habits for life by making healthy food choices and getting proper exercise now. HFCS has implemented the USDA's School Meal Standards and strives to work in collaboration with families to ensure that every child has access to healthy and nutritious meals. Parents of HFCS students can help by encouraging their children to try new foods, select healthy options, and offer healthy choices at home.

Learn more about the School Meal Standards at www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday.

In addition, you may read more about HFCS' alignment with the Standards below.
 

Philosophy

 
Holy Family Catholic School recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to students’ physical well-being, growth, development, and readiness to learn. The staff and faculty are committed to providing a school environment that promotes student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience. In a healthy school environment, students will learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student achievement.
 

Authority

 
To ensure the health and well-being of all students, we provide:

1. A comprehensive nutrition program consistent with federal and state requirement;
2. Access at reasonable cost to foods and beverages that meet established nutritional guidelines;
3. Physical education courses and opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day; and
4. Curriculum and programs for grades Pre K-8 that are designed to educate students about proper nutrition and lifelong physical activity, in accordance with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and academic standards.

   
The Principal shall be responsible for monitoring our school, programs, and curriculum to ensure compliance with this policy, related policies, and established guidelines or administrative regulations.
 
Staff members responsible for programs related to student wellness shall report to the Principal regarding the status of such programs.  Specifically, the Principal shall annually report on the school's compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. The report may include a/an:

1. Assessment of school environment regarding student wellness issues;
2. Evaluation of food services program;
3. Review of all foods and beverages sold in schools for compliance with established nutrition guidelines;
4. Listing of activities and programs conducted to promote nutrition and physical activity;
5. Recommendations for policy and/or program revisions;
6. Suggestions for improvement in specific areas;
7. Feedback received from staff, students, parents/guardians.

 
Qualified nutrition professional shall administer the school meals program, and professional development shall be provided for district nutrition staff.  Access to the food service operation shall be limited to authorized staff. Only food service personnel may prepare and serve food.
 
Healthy food selections or non-food items are encouraged as classroom rewards.  Fundraising projects that occur during the school day shall be supportive of healthy eating and student wellness.
   
The goal of nutrition education is to teach, encourage and support healthy eating by students. Promoting student health and nutrition enhances readiness for learning and increases student achievement.
 
Nutrition education will be provided within the sequential, comprehensive health education program in accordance with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and the academic standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, and Family and Consumer Sciences.
 
Nutrition education shall provide all students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthy lives.  Nutrition education lessons and activities shall be age-appropriate, behavior focused., and integrated into other subjects to complement--but not replace--academic standards.
 
Lifelong lifestyle balance shall be reinforced by linking nutrition education and physical activity.  The staff responsible for providing nutrition education shall be properly trained and prepared and shall participate in appropriate professional development.  School staff shall cooperate with agencies and community organizations to provide opportunities for appropriate student projects related to nutrition.  
   
HFCS shall strive to provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day for all students.  HFCS shall contribute to the effort to provide students opportunities to accumulate at least sixty minutes (60) of age-appropriate physical activities on most days of the week. That time will include physical activity outside the school environment, such as outdoor play at home, sports, etc.
 
Students shall participate daily in a variety of age-appropriate physical activities designed to achieve optimal health, wellness, fitness, and performance benefits.  Age-appropriate physical activity opportunities, such as recess; before and after school; during lunch; clubs; and interscholastic athletics, shall be provided to meet the needs and interests of all students, in addition to planned physical education.
 
Additionally, a physical and social environment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all students shall be maintained.  HFCS shall partner with parents/guardians and community members to institute programs that support physical activity.  Physical activity shall not be used as a form of punishment.
 
   
Quality physical education instruction that promotes lifelong physical activity and provides instruction in the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong participation shall be provided.  Physical education classes shall be the means through which all students learn, practice and are assessed on developmentally appropriate skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.
 
A comprehensive physical education course of study that focuses on providing students skills, knowledge and confidence to participate in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity shall be implemented.  A varied and comprehensive curriculum that leads to students becoming and remaining physically active for a lifetime shall be provided in the physical education program.
 
Adequate amounts of planned instruction shall be provided in order for students to achieve the proficient level for Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standards.  A local assessment system shall be implemented to track student progress on the Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standard.  Students shall be moderately to vigorously active for as much time as possible during a physical education class. Documented medical conditions and disabilities shall be accommodated during class.
 
Safe and adequate equipment, facilities and resources shall be provided for physical education courses.  Physical education shall be taught by certified health and physical education teachers, and appropriate professional development shall be provided for physical education staff. Classes are approved for professional development as they arise.
 
Physical education classes shall have a teacher-student ratio comparable to those of other courses.  Students cannot be removed from physical education class as a punishment, and physical activity shall not be used as a form of punishment.
   
HFCS shall provide adequate space for eating and serving school meals. All students have seating.
 
Students shall be provided a clean and safe meal environment. Tables are washed and disinfected after each lunch period.
 
Students shall be provided adequate time to eat: twenty (20) minutes sit down time for lunch.  Meal periods shall be scheduled at appropriate hours.
 
Drinking water shall be available at all meal periods and throughout the school day. Water fountains are available at all times during the day when deemed safe per pandemic guidelines; all students are strongly encouraged to bring water bottles, and stations are provided for water bottles to be refilled.
 
   
All foods available at HFCS during the school day shall be offered to students with consideration for promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity. Foods provided through the National School Lunch Programs shall comply with federal nutrition standards under the School Meals Initiative.
 
Competitive foods are defined as foods offered at school other than through the National School Lunch Programs and include a la carte foods, snacks and beverages; snacks and beverages; fundraisers; classroom parties; holiday celebrations; and food from home. 
 
All competitive foods available to students at HFCS shall comply with the Nutritional Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools. The nutritional standards shall be implemented as a one (1) year plan.
 
All competitive foods available to students at HFCS shall comply with the established nutrition guidelines, as listed in the Student Wellness Plan and administrative regulations.

1. Portion sizes will not exceed the serving size of food served in the National School Lunch Program and/or items will be packaged in single serving sizes.
2. A selection/variety of whole grains will be available on a daily basis.
3. A minimum of one (1) fruit and vegetable will be offered daily. A variety of fruits and vegetables will be offered from day to day.
4. A variety of items that provide 2 grams of fiber per serving will be available on a daily basis (at least two (2) items).
5. Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (USDA regulation 7 CFR 210 and 220) will not be available anytime during the school day.

1. Not contain added sugar as the first ingredient; and
2. Provide minimal to no trans fatty acids.

1. Water, unflavored (any size);
2. 100% fruit juice (not to exceed 12 oz.); or
3. Milk, 1% lowfat or nonfat (not to exceed 16 oz.), flavored or unflavored (not to exceed 30 grams of sugar per 8 ounce serving, inclusive of naturally occurring sugar).
    

1. Packages will be in single serving sizes.
    
2. Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (USDA regulation 7 CFR 210 and 220) will not be available anytime during the school day. 
    
3. Foods will not be fried.
    
4. Foods will not contain added sugar as the first ingredient.
    
5. Provide minimal to no trans-fatty acids.

Marketing, pricing and nutrition education strategies will be used to encourage selection of the healthier foods.
 
The school Food Service Supervisor can provide assistance in identifying foods that meet these criteria.
 
Classroom Parties/Holiday Celebrations:
 
In order to facilitate healthy foods at classroom parties or celebrations, foods may be purchased from the food service department. Parents/guardians/caregivers will be encouraged to promote their child’s participation in the school meals program. If they or their child chooses not to participate in the school meal program, parents/guardians/caregivers will be strongly encouraged to provide the student with healthy alternatives.
 
Foods from Home:
 
Foods from outside sources, other than home, such as fast foods, pizzas, Arby’s, Subway, McDonald’s, Wendy’s etc. will not be permitted in the school cafeteria during student lunch periods.
 
School Stores - Food/Snacks/Beverages:
 
The school store does not sell any food or beverages.
 
Faculty Lounges:
 
Not applicable.