Huntington’s Wellness Policy Promotes Healthy Students

Healthy and strong students; physically and mentally fit. That’s the goal of the Huntington School District as officials continue to work with parents to make it a reality.

The district originally adopted the Wellness Policy on June 19, 2006, and updated it in 2018. It helped usher in a number of changes to past practices. The policy sets standards for food and beverages sold or provided to students during the school day and it provides rules governing the use of food in classrooms. Even fundraising activities during school hours is addressed.

“It is the policy of the district that food shall not be used in the classroom, except as a part of a snack brought from home for the individual consumption of students,” states the section on use of food in the classroom. “Sharing of food and beverages should be discouraged given concerns about allergies and other restrictions on some student’s diets.”

The policy forbids food from being used as an incentive or reward or for instructional purposes (except in home and career skills classes), birthday celebrations or holiday or seasonal celebrations or multi-cultural events.

Adoption of the original policy eliminated the practice of bringing in birthday cupcakes for classmates. The policy forbids “fundraising activities involving the sale of food (including candy) to students during the school day. Schools will encourage fundraising activities that promote physical activity and will provide a list of alternative activities.”

The regulations also call for a minimum of 20 minutes of “supervised recess, preferably outdoors. School personnel should verbally encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity, whether indoors or outdoors.”

Students are required to spend “at least 50 percent of physical education class time participating in moderate to vigorous physical activity.” Nutrient standards for snacks, beverages and meals sold or provided to students are aimed at restricting fats, sugars, artificial sweeteners and colorings, nitrates, MSG, sodium and caffeine.

Principals are responsible for implementing and monitoring the regulations in their buildings. The regulations are reviewed annually, or whenever it is necessary.

The district Wellness Committee meets periodically. It includes faculty and staff members from across Huntington UFSD. Trustee Kelly Donovan has also been appointed by the Huntington School Board to serve on the committee.