Wellness Policy

At Imagine Columbus Primary Academy, we firmly believe that the well-being of our students is vital for their educational success. We understand the significant impact we have on shaping their health and nutrition habits, and we are committed to fostering a positive environment that promotes healthy choices.

With this in mind, our school takes an active role in providing nutritious meals and snacks to our students. We strive to ensure that their dietary needs are met, offering balanced and wholesome options that nourish their bodies and minds. By offering these healthy choices, we aim to instill good eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Additionally, we are dedicated to promoting increased physical activity among our students. We recognize the importance of regular exercise in maintaining optimal health and enhancing cognitive abilities. Our school actively encourages and provides opportunities for physical activity, whether through structured sports programs, active play, or engaging physical education classes.

By prioritizing the health and well-being of our students, we create an environment that supports their overall development. We are committed to equipping them with the knowledge and habits necessary to lead healthy and fulfilling lives beyond their time at Imagine Columbus Primary Academy.

The Board sets forth the following goals in an effort to enable students to establish good health and nutrition habits:

Nutrition Promotion and Education Goals

• The School shall provide for interdisciplinary, sequential skill-based health education that supports hands-on classroom activities that promote health and reduce obesity.
• Nutrition and healthy living skills shall be integrated into the classroom curriculum when appropriate.
• Students in grades pre-K-12 shall receive nutrition education that is interactive and teaches the skills they need to adopt healthy eating behaviors.
• Nutrition education shall be offered and promoted in the School cafeteria as well as in the classroom with coordination between the food service staff and teachers.
• Nutrition education and promotion information will be shared with parents and the community.

Physical Education and Activity Goals

• Students shall be provided opportunities for physical activity during the school day through physical education classes, daily recess periods for elementary students, and the integration of physical activity in the classroom.
• Physical education classes shall stress physical fitness, encourage healthy, active lifestyles, and consist of physical activities as part of the curriculum.
• Physical activity will not be used as a form of discipline or punishment.
• Physical activity and promotion information will be shared with parents and the community.
• The School shall encourage parents and the community to support physical activity, to be physically active role models, and to include physical activity at events.

Other School-Based Activities

• School-based activities shall promote student wellness and, if appropriate, shall encourage nutrition and physical education.
• Nutrition shall be considered when planning school-based activities such as classroom snacks, fundraisers, etc.
• The School will provide students with a clean and safe environment and adequate time for eating meals.

Nutrition Guidelines

• In accordance with the School’s Food Standards Policy, the food service program shall comply with Federal and State regulations pertaining to the selection, preparation, consumption, and disposal of food and beverages sold in the School.
• Any food provided outside of the food service program, but not sold during the school day on the School premises, shall align with the goals and standards stated in this Wellness Policy.
• Marketing of foods and beverages at the School during the school day shall be limited to those foods and beverages that meet the standards set forth in the School’s Food Standard Policy. The Board reserves the right to further limit the marketing of food and beverages.
• The food service program will provide all students with affordable access to a variety of nutritious foods.

Implementation and Evaluation

• The Principal shall ensure that the School implements, complies with, and annually evaluates this Policy.
• The School will consult with administrators, board members, parents, students, community members, school health professionals, physical education teachers (if applicable), or representatives of the school food authority. The committee will be provided the opportunity to participate in the development, implementation, periodic review, and update of the Policy. In developing or updating goals, the committee will review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques.
• At least once every three (3) years, the School will measure the implementation of this Policy, focusing specifically on the extent to which the School has complied with the Policy, the extent to which the Policy compares to model local wellness policies, and the extent to which the School has progressed toward achieving its stated goals in the Policy.
• The School will create a written assessment for each periodic measurement that it will disseminate to students, their families, and other members of the community or post on its website. The School will make appropriate modifications to this Policy, if necessary, based on this assessment.
• At the start of each school year, the School will disseminate this Policy and information about its implementation to families of school children and other members of the community or post it on its website and will notify such individuals of changes to the Policy in the same manner.

The School shall retain documentation demonstrating compliance with this Policy, including requirements related to community involvement, triennial assessments of this Policy, and public dissemination of this Policy and any updates thereto.

42 U.S.C. 1758b; 42 U.S.C. 1771; 7 CFR 210.31; R.C. 3313.814; R.C. 3313.816; R.C. 3313.817

See also Policy 455 Food Standards Policy and Appendix 455-A Nutritional Standards for Food and Beverages.