Adoption Date: 06/22/2021

History: 9/9/21(updated), 3/22/22 (updated), 2/14/23 (updated), 2/13/24 (updated), 6/11/24 (updated), 3/11/25 (updated), 2/10/26 (updated)

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Physical Education

The school district will provide physical education that:

• meets a minimum of:
  • 54 minutes per week for kindergarten students;
  • 81 minutes per week for first through fifth grade students;
  • every other day for middle school;
  • meets the state requirements for high school;
    is taught by a certified physical education teacher;
• includes students with disabilities and provides adapted PE services in accordance with state guidelines and IDEA;
• the teacher engages students in moderate to vigorous activities during at least 50 percent of physical education class time;
• includes lifestyle (non-team) activities at each grade level.

Daily Recess

Elementary schools shall provide recess for students that:

• meets a minimum of:
  • 40 minutes per day for kindergarten through second grade students;
  • 30 minutes per day for third and fourth grade students;
  • 20 minutes per day for fifth grade students;
• is preferably outdoors;
• encourages moderate to vigorous physical activity verbally for all students and through the provision of space and equipment;
• includes a variety of equipment and apparatus to encourage participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity;
• discourages extended periods (i.e., periods of one or more hours) of inactivity.

When activities, such as mandatory school-wide testing, make it necessary for students to remain indoors for long periods of time, schools will give students periodic breaks during which they are encouraged to stand and be moderately active.

Staff will not use physical activity (e.g., running laps, pushups) or withhold opportunities for physical activity (e.g., recess, physical education) as punishment. Withholding recess will only be considered in extreme circumstances and at the discretion of the building administrator.

HEALTH EDUCATION

Health Education Coordinator

The school district will provide a health education coordinator to:

• monitor implementation process of the health education curriculum;
• emphasize the importance of health education across curriculums;
• work with teachers to ensure scheduling instruction in physical education and adapted PE services;
• develop community supports and partnerships;
• work with district staff to ensure physical education instruction time meets state guidelines.

Health Education – Elementary

The school district will provide health education for kindergarten through fifth grade students that:

• meets the state requirements;
• is sequential and standards-based;
• provides active learning and skills practice;
• is taught by qualified teachers;
• is emphasized across the physical education, social studies, science and guidance curriculums.

Health Education – Secondary

The school district will provide health education for sixth through twelfth grade that:

• meets the state requirements;
• is taught by qualified teachers;
• utilizes community support and partnerships;
  • all nutrition education must be delivered by a registered dietitian as a guest speaker and or licensed teacher during classroom and/or extracurricular activities;
• provides opportunities for students to practice skills;
• includes curriculum that focuses on wellness and healthy life choices.

Health Education Teachers

The school district will encourage health education teachers at both the elementary and secondary level to:

• collaborate with community public health-related agencies to enhance health education lessons;
• collaborate with school nutrition and health services to promote health education lessons in addition to the classroom lessons ;
• develop cross-curricular collaboration with guidance, PE, science and social studies

Professional Development

The school district will provide opportunities for professional development according to the Iowa City Community School District Professional Development Plan.

SCHOOL NUTRITION SERVICES

General Guidelines

The following nutritional guidelines for food available on school campuses shall be adhered to:

• Meals served through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program will be appealing and meet, at a minimum, nutrition requirements established by state and federal law;
• Schools providing access to healthy foods outside the reimbursable meal programs before school, during school and thirty minutes after school shall meet the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards, at a minimum.  This includes such items as those sold through a la carte lines, vending machines, student-run stores, and fundraising activities;
• Snacks provided to students during the school day without charge (e.g., class parties) shall meet standards set by the district;
• Schools shall only allow marketing and advertising of foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards on campus during the school day; and  
• Meal times will be scheduled to allow for students to have at least 10 minutes of seat time at breakfast and 15 minutes at lunch.

Lunches brought from Home

In regards to lunches brought from home, the school district will:

• encourage students and parents to bring healthy foods and beverages;
• students shall refrain from trading foods with each other;
• encourage students and families to be aware of classroom allergies provided by classroom teachers (elementary).

Birthday Celebrations

To promote student health and safety, birthday celebrations will be non-food based. Fun activities such as games, crafts, or special classroom experiences are encouraged.

Classroom and Building Snacks

In regards to snacks being served in the classroom, the school district shall adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Nutritional Guidelines
   1. Allow healthy snacks to be served in the classroom, especially at the primary level;
   2. All snacks must align with the district’s Healthy Food Guidelines and USDA Smart Snacks in School standards.
2. Approved Food Items
   1. Fresh fruits and vegetables or Smart Snack approved commercially packaged foods with a complete ingredient label shall be permitted.
   2. Homemade foods are not permitted.
3. Food Allergies
   1. All food served shall follow the District Food Allergy Protocols
4. Food Safety and Storage
   1. Food must be served using proper food handling and sanitation guidelines.
   2. All food items must be consumed or properly disposed of by the end of the school day.
   3. Food may not be stored overnight in classrooms.

Fundraising

The school district shall:

• ensure that foods meeting Healthy Food Guidelines /Smart Snacks guidance is sold to students for fund-raising activities;
• not allow food/beverage sales to occur during the school breakfast or lunch period;
• allow only foods that meet Healthy Food Guidelines / Smart Snacks to be sold to students during the school day, and up to 30 minutes after school is dismissed; and
• not allow unhealthy foods and beverage advertisements on school grounds.

Rewards and Incentives

• encourage staff to use non-food items as rewards or incentives to encourage student achievement or desirable behavior;
• food rewards used in incentive programs, such as PBIS, must meet guidelines as listed above in “Classroom and Building Snacks”
• allow an exception to this ONLY if the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or other Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) includes the use of food and follows departmental guidelines;
• encourage students and families to be aware of classroom allergies provided by classroom teachers (elementary). In these circumstances, the food must comply with the district Food Allergy Protocols (except as required by an IEP or BIP); and
• not withhold food or beverages as a punishment for students.

OTHER SCHOOL-BASED ACTIVITY GOALS THAT PROMOTE STUDENT WELLNESS

Physical Activity Opportunities after School

Elementary and secondary schools will offer extracurricular physical activity programs, such as physical activity clubs and/or intramural programs.

Schools may offer a range of after-school moderate to vigorous physical activities that meet the needs, interests and abilities of all students including boys, girls, non-binary students, and students with disabilities.

Schools may collaborate with local agencies to promote local, state, and national events that encourage physical activity by students, staff, families, etc.

Integrating Physical Activity into Classroom Settings

Opportunities for physical activity beyond the physical education class may be provided to students. These opportunities may include the following:

• reinforce the importance of a physically active lifestyle;
• encourage physical activities over sedentary activities such as watching television, video games, etc
• provide opportunities for physical activity to be incorporated in all classes when possible;
• provide short physical activity breaks during or between classes, as appropriate for all ages and developmental levels.

EVALUATION OF WELLNESS POLICY

Policy Review

The Wellness Committee (co-facilitated by the Health Services Manager and the Nutritional Services Director) will review the Wellness Policy and monitor progress towards wellness goals at the end of each school year. The information will be provided in the district's annual progress report. A Triennial Assessment will be completed once every 3 years with results posted to the district website.

Policy Enforcement and Questions

Questions related to the Wellness Policy should be directed to the Senior Health Services Manager and the Nutritional Services Director or Director of Curriculum and Instruction (for curricular related questions). Determinations regarding whether a food or beverage item is in compliance with the policy should first be made by the building principal. Upon request, additional consideration and guidance shall be provided by the Senior Health Services Manager and the Nutritional Services Director if disagreement exists with the building administrator’s determination. Appeals of the decision(s) made by the Senior Health Services Manager and the Nutritional Services Director can be made to the Deputy Superintendent for final determination.