Resources under local wellness policy
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Game On!
Game On challenges America’s schools, staff, students, and the families they serve to get healthy, inside and out. Game On provides all the information and resources you need to host a successful school wellness program in your school, including an interactive school blueprint that allows you to search for fun Eat Better and Move More Challenges for every aspect of your school building.
Explore the Game On website and the 6 steps they offer to help you improve student health, while reaching your schools needs. Don't forget to check out step 4: Find Activities to engage everyone on the team, including students!
Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/tools-for-schools/game-on
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Healthy Fundraisers
Action for Healthy Kids offers 2 PDFs that include ideas for non-food, healthy food, and physical activity-promoting school, club, or team fundraisers.
Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/storage/documents/parent-toolkit/fundraisers-food-sales-f1.pdf
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Gather Your Team
Includes tips and tools for gathering a team, recruiting team members, building a successful team, developing a vision, conducting team meetings and more.Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/game-on/gather-your-team
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Team Building How-Tos from Fuel Up to Play 60
Ideas for recruiting students to be part of a student-led, school health team; tips on recruiting team members, characteristics of well functioning teams, and more.Follow the link below. Once on the page, select the yellow box on the far right that says 'Program Tools'. On the left, tools will appear. Scroll down until you find 'Fuel Up to Play 60 Teambuilding Tips'. Click on 'Learn More' and a pdf will download for you to view.
Available at: https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/tools#tab_fuel-up-to-play-60-teambuilding-tips
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Making the Case for School Wellness
The first step to being an effective wellness advocate is being able to explain why it’s important to address health and wellness in schools. This concise, accurate handout is complete with supporting statistics and helpful web links.Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/storage/documents/parent-toolkit/parent-leadership-series/makingthecasefinalx3.pdf
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Team Building Ideas
Sample team building activities to break the ice and get your team members to know each other better.
Available at: http://www.wilderdom.com/games/
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Team Effort - Michigan Nutrition Standards Toolkit
Find ideas and tips for building and effective school health team.The link below will take you to the Michigan Nutrition Standards Toolkit which provides you with the resources needed to implement the Michigan Nutrition Standards, including many team resources.
Available at: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,4612,7-132-2940_2955_2959_58773-261516--,00.html
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Supporting Webinars - Action for Healthy Kids
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ction for Healthy Kids offers a wide variety of virtual learning opportunities that can energize and educate your wellness team. From school breakfast programs and recess before lunch to wellness policy implementation and more, most sessions are of no cost and are open to any interested individual or group. This site gives you access to archived webinars and also allows you to register at the site for upcoming webinars.Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/events/webinars
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How Team Members Can Contribute
School Health/Wellness Teams come in many different shapes and sizes, but they have one common goal: to rally forces to make schools healthier! Anyone with an interest in health – parents, teachers, staff, and community members – can take part! Learn how team members can contribute with this helpful pdf that lists activities by contributing member.Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/storage/documents/game-on/Game_On_-_School_Health_Team.pdf
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School Wellness Committee Toolkit
This guide was created as a resource for school wellness committees to convene, plan and implement their action plans. Contains information on how to form a team, choose team members, conduct affective meetings, set goals, chart and communicate your progress and more.Available at: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/_asset/wwj4dq/09-875_SWCToolkit.pdf
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Healthy School Action Tool (HSAT)
The new HSAT provides tools for both school level teams and district level teams to assess the health of their school environments and take action to improve those environments.
The school-level tools include:
- School Core Assessment & Feedback Report
- 7 Topic Area Assessment & Feedback Reports
- Healthy Eating
- Physical Education & Physical Activity
- Health Education
- Staff Wellness
- Social & Emotional Health
- Safe School Environment
- Tobacco/Nicotine-Free Lifestyles
- School Action Plan
The district-level tools include:
- District Assessment & Feedback Report
- District Action Plan
Each assessment and action planning tool has detailed instructions that will guide teams through the assessment and action planning process.
Available at: www.mihealthtools.org/hsat
More info: HSAT Fact sheet
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School Health Index: Self-Assessment & Planning Guide 2014 (SHI)
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he SHI 2014 is an online self-assessment and planning tool that elementary, middle, and high schools can use to improve their health and safety policies and programs. Nutrition Services and Physical Education and Other Physical Activity Programs are two of the assessment tool’s modules that are directly connected with assessing and improving the school nutrition and physical activity environment.There are 2 assessments available- one for elementary schools and one for middle and high schools. There are links to each at the right side of the page.
Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/shi/
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Fuel Up to Play 60 School Wellness Investigation
The SWI is a “before” and “after” tool that will help students and school staff set goals and measure progress. It’s designed to empower students to collect information about the current nutrition and physical activity environment at school – and identify opportunities to make it even better. Working on the School Wellness Investigation is a great learning and leadership opportunity for students. Adults should provide guidance and input results into the School Wellness Investigation tool, but students should collect the data. After completing the School Wellness Investigation, you will be provided with a customized list of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Plays from the Fuel Up to Play 60 Program that will help your school reach its wellness goals.Follow the link below. Once on the page, select the yellow box on the far right that says 'Program Tools'. On the left, tools will appear. Scroll down until you find 'School Wellness Investigation'. Click on 'Learn More' and a pdf will download for you to view.
Available at: https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/tools
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School Wellness Committee Toolkit
This guide was created as a resource for school wellness committees to convene, plan and implement their action plans. Contains information on how to form a team, choose team members, conduct affective meetings, set goals, chart and communicate your progress and more.Available at: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/_asset/wwj4dq/09-875_SWCToolkit.pdf
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School Wellness Award
The School Wellness Award recognizes schools committed to increasing student achievement with a healthier school community. Award winning schools have created healthy school environments by establishing Coordinated School Health Teams, completing the newly revised Healthy School Action Tools (HSAT), and implementing sustainable policy and environmental changes related to physical activity and physical education, healthy eating and health education, and tobacco-free lifestyles for students and staff.
Available at: http://swa.mihealthtools.org
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Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act championed by the First Lady and signed by President Obama, made the first major changes in school meals in 15 years. The new standards align school meals with the latest nutrition science and the real world circumstances of America’s schools. These responsible reforms do what’s right for children’s health in a way that’s achievable in schools across the Nation. Read more.
Available at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards-school-meals
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Local School Wellness Policy – Background Info from USDA
Local wellness policies are an important tool for parents, local educational agencies and school districts in promoting student wellness, preventing and reducing childhood obesity, and providing assurance that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the minimum federal school meal standards.
Available at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/local-school-wellness-policy
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Summary of the Final Rule – Local Wellness Policy
On July 29, 2016, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service finalized regulations to create a framework and guidelines for written wellness policies established by Local Education Agencies (LEAs). The final rule requires LEAs to begin developing a revised local school wellness policy during School Year 2016-2017. LEAs must fully comply with the requirements of the final rule by June 30, 2017.
Available at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/tn/LWPsummary_finalrule.pdf
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Alliance for a Healthier Generation Model Wellness Policy
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation launched a new Model Wellness Policy to help school districts prepare for anticipated requirements from USDA. This resource meets federal requirements based on the USDA's proposed rule and offers optional policy language school districts can use to establish stronger policies.
Available at: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/_asset/wtqdwu/14-6372_ModelWellnessPolicy.doc
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Action for Healthy Kids Wellness Policy Tool: Seven Steps to Success
Action for Healthy Kids developed this tool with partner organizations to help districts create a local wellness policy that meets their own unique goals for nutrition and physical activity and take the next steps to put the policy into action to positively impact students' health and lifelong choices.This tool uses a continuous process, consisting of seven steps. The steps are related to each other, and by working through each step, it is possible to effectively establish district wellness and other policies. Clicking on each step will open a new page with specific information and guidance. Specific questions will guide the process and helpful online resources are listed at the end of each step. You will find objectives, resources, and frequently asked questions to guide your journey through the wellness policy process.
Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/tools-for-schools/revise-district-policy/wellness-policy-tool
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Game On!
Game On challenges America’s schools, staff, students, and the families they serve to get healthy, inside and out. Game On provides all the information and resources you need to host a successful school wellness program in your school, including an interactive school blueprint that allows you to search for fun Eat Better and Move More Challenges for every aspect of your school building. Explore the Game On website and the 6 steps they offer to help you improve student health, while reaching your schools needs. Don't forget to check out step 4: Find Activities to engage everyone on the team, including students!
Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/tools-for-schools/game-on
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The Learning Connection: What You Need to Know to Ensure Your Kids are Healthy and Ready to Learn
This report demonstrates several things: physical activity supports academic achievement, well-nourished kids learn better and healthier practices in schools can increase school revenue. Released in 2013, this report is a roadmap for parents, educators, school administrators and school volunteers to create healthier school environments so the kids in their lives are better positioned to learn. It's a follow-up to Action for Healthy Kids' landmark 2004 report, The Learning Connection: The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools.Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/media-center/reports/706-the-learning-connection-what-you-need-to-know-to-ensure-your-kids-are-healthy-and-ready-to-learn
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School Nutrition Environment and Wellness Resources
This Web site is dedicated to helping local educational agencies find the resources they need to meet local wellness policy recommendations.
Available at: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/local-wellness-policy-resources/school-nutrition-environment-and-wellness-resources-0
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School Wellness Committee Toolkit
School Health/Wellness Teams come in many different shapes and sizes, but they have one common goal: to rally forces to make schools healthier! Anyone with an interest in health – parents, teachers, staff, and community members – can take part! Learn how team members can contribute with this helpful pdf that lists activities by contributing member.Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/storage/documents/game-on/Game_On_-_School_Health_Team.pdf
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Wellness Policy Elements
Review the primary elements of a local wellness policy: nutrition education, nutrition promotion, physical activity, all foods on campus, other school based activities and food and beverage marketing; and within each subsection, find helpful tips and tools for implementation.
Available at: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/local-wellness-policy-resources/school-nutrition-environment-and-wellness-resources/wellness-policy
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The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act championed by the First Lady and signed by President Obama, made the first major changes in school meals in 15 years. The new standards align school meals with the latest nutrition science and the real world circumstances of America’s schools. These responsible reforms do what’s right for children’s health in a way that’s achievable in schools across the Nation. Read more.
Available at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards-school-meals
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Michigan Nutrition Standards Toolkit
Find ideas and tips for building and effective school health team.The link below will take you to the Michigan Nutrition Standards Toolkit which provides you with the resources needed to implement the Michigan Nutrition Standards, including many team resources.
Available at: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,4612,7-132-2940_2955_2959_58773-261516--,00.html
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Water for Students
Below are a list of several resources you can use to promote drinking water at school:
- Increasing Access to Drinking Water in Schools
CDC’s tool kit includes background information, needs assessment tools, implementation strategies, and evaluation guidance to provide students with access to drinking water as part of a healthy nutrition environment. - Water in Schools
Information on current requirements and suggestions for how to make free drinking water available in schools - Drinking Water Best Management Practices: For Schools and Child Care Facilities With Their Own Drinking Water Source
EPA’s guide for schools and child care facilities with their own well and classified as a public water system. - Drinking Water Best Management Practices: For Schools and Child Care Facilities Served by Municipal Water Systems
EPA’s guide for schools and child care facilities receiving water from water utilities or water suppliers such as cities, towns and water districts.
- Increasing Access to Drinking Water in Schools
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Let's Party- School Party Ideas
This PDF give you ideas for creating a healthy party at school. It provides ideas to make your party healthy, safe, fun, and simple! This document includes student friendly recipes and also recipes for the cafeteria that are in the USDA Recipes for Schools [External Link] with numerical code. There are also 10 party theme ideas available for you to try for your next school party!
Available at: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/hsmrs/WestVirginia/LetsParty.pdf
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Healthy Non-Food Rewards
A 2-page PDF that includes creative, free and low-cost ideas for health-promoting non-food rewards. It offers specific ideas by grade level- elementary school, middle school, and high school and also offers ideas for Parent/Teacher Organizations (PTOs).
Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/storage/documents/parent-toolkit/rewardsf3a.pdf
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Healthier Middle Schools Everyone Can Help
Series of communication tools (PDFs and videos) for teachers, principals, parents, food service managers and students, with videos and handouts for each audience.
Available at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/healthier-middle-schools-everyone-can-help
Or upon request from Team Nutrition - Team Nutrition offers materials for free to schools and child care centers that participate in Federal Child Nutrition Programs.
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Healthy Non-Food Rewards
A 2-page PDF that includes creative, free and low-cost ideas for health-promoting non-food rewards. It offers specific ideas by grade level- elementary school, middle school, and high school and also offers ideas for Parent/Teacher Organizations (PTOs).
Available at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/storage/documents/parent-toolkit/rewardsf3a.pdf
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MyPlate Materials (family focused)
MyPlate offers many resources for free- handouts, fact sheets, activity sheets, games, songs, online guidance and more! Once you follow the link below, look across the top and select audience. This will allow you to choose the section most relevent to you. The sections by audience are Children (Preschoolers, Kids), Students (Teens, College), Adults (Men & Women, Moms/Moms to be, Older Adults). Many of their materials are offered in multiple languages.
Available at: www.choosemyplate.gov
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My Way to Wellness Online Nutrition Education for Adults
Through the self-paced online course, participants will work towards setting goals as a key component to achieve where they want to be with health. Along with personal goal setting, other topic areas include nutritional needs and physical activity, building a healthy MyPlate, energy – a balancing act, picking the best portions, healthy habits for a healthy life and others. The course is comprised of eleven self-paced modules that include physical activity and food safety demonstration videos.
Available at: Go to https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=69BEE709E1E5ACA4 to register. Once registered, your program information will be emailed to you.
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Sample Model Wellness Policies
This webpage from the USDA and Team Nutrition highlights several resources, including sample model wellness policies and sample policy language, to help create local school wellness policies.
Available at: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/model-and-sample-policy
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Workbook for Developing a Local School Wellness Policy
The Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Project in Minnesota developed a workbook to help in writing a Local Wellness Policy. This 170 page PDF walks you through the process step by step.Available at: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/public/@health/documents/webcontent/convert_253931.pdf
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The Wellness Impact: Enhancing Academic Success Through Healthy School Environments
Research summary on the ink between improved nutrition, greater opportunities for physical activity in the school environment, and academic success.
Available at: http://www.genyouthnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/The_wellness_impact_report.pdf
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Guide to Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs
This easy-to-use booklet is designed to help State agencies, school food authorities, and school nutrition professionals understand and apply the Final Rule on Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs Personnel.
Available at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/guide-professional-standards-school-nutrition-programs
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AAP Policy Statement: Snacks, Sweetened Beverages, Added Sugars and Schools
Concern over childhood obesity has generated a decade-long reformation of school nutrition policies. Courtesy of the Council on School Health, Committee on Nutrition.
Available at: http://www.milkmeansmore.org/pdf/schools/school_meals/AAP_Sweet_Sugar_Snacks.pdf
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Putting Local School Wellness Policies into Action: Stories From School Districts and Schools
Eleven schools, urban, suburban and rural, provide examples of the strategies they’ve used to implement various aspects of the wellness policy and identify key supporters, wellness champions, partners and resources used.
Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/npao/pdf/251553_SchoolWellnessInAction_Final_508_Ready_508tagged.pdf
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention School Nutrition Enviornment and Services
This website features the new Comprehensive Framework for Addressing the School Nutrition Environment and Services—a framework for school nutrition professionals, school health professionals, administrators, teachers, and parents. The school nutrition environment includes the seven components that together, influence a students’ access to healthy foods and beverages at school.
Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/schoolnutrition.htm
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WellSat: 2.0 - Wellness School Assessment Tool
WellSAT 2.0 measures the quality of a school district’s written wellness policy and provides personalized guidance and resources for making improvements, based on the assessment results. Print copies also available.
Available at: http://wellsat.org/
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Health and Academic Achievement
A collection of quick facts, research articles, and tools from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to communicate the link between healthy eating, physical activity, and improved academic achievement.
Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/health_and_academics/index.htm
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A Guide to Incorperating Health and Wellness into School Improvement Plans
School wellness policies and school improvement plans go hand in hand. This guide provides an understanding of school improvement plans and their purpose and role, outlines opportunities to incorporate health and wellness-related goals and activities into the improvement planning process, and highlights useful examples.
Available at: http://www.chronicdisease.org/?SchoolHealthPubs
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Alliance for Healthier Generation-Wellness Policies
A comprehensive online how-to guide, with plenty of additional resources, that walks you through four steps to creating a school wellness policy: Convene your committee; Refresh your policy; Put policy into practice; and Evaluate and communicate.
Available at: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/take_action/schools/wellness_committees__policies/
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Increasing Access to Drinking Water in Schools
A tool kit to be used by school health councils, nutrition services providers, principals, teachers, parents, and other school staff who are interested in increasing access to drinking water in schools.
Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/npao/pdf/Water_Access_in_Schools.pdf
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Parents for Healthy Schools
Parents can be effective advocates to bring about positive change. A guide to motivate and educate parents to help create healthy school environments. Includes ideas for how they can help with improving the school nutrition environment, increasing opportunities for physical activity, and supporting schools in managing chronic health conditions.
Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/parentengagement/pdf/guide.pdf
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Tips for Teachers
A colorful 4-page fact sheets with useful tips and ideas on how to promote healthy eating and physical activity in the classroom.
Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/npao/pdf/Tips_for_Teachers_TAG508.pdf
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Alliance for a Healthier Generation - Wellness Policies-Implementation
An online how-to guide for creating a school wellness policy. Work through this section when you are ready to implement your policy: Put Policy Into Practice.
Available at: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/take_action/schools/wellness_committees__policies/putting_policy_into_practice/