Archdiocesan School Wellness Policy
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia recognizes that student wellness, proper nutrition, and regular physical activity are related to a student’s physical well-being, growth, development, and readiness to learn. It also recognizes that schools can provide an environment in which students can learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. The Archdiocese is committed to providing a healthy school environment that promotes these concepts as part of the education of the whole child.
The Archdiocesan School Wellness Policy addresses the nutrient content of food at school, nutrition education, physical activity, and other environmental factors that promote a healthy school environment.
You may also access the Wellness Activity tracker by clicking here!
Triennial Wellness Policy Assessment
Each Local Education Agency (LEA) participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program was required to revise its written local school wellness policy and meet expanded requirements consistent with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 by June 30, 2017. As part of these expanded requirements, LEAs are now required to complete an assessment of the local school wellness policy at least once every three years and to make the results available to the public.
This triennial assessment must measure the implementation of the local school wellness policy and include:
- The extent to which schools in the LEA are in compliance with the wellness policy;
- The extent to which the LEA’s wellness policy compares to model school wellness policies; and
- A description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the local school wellness policy.
The PA Department of Education, Division of Food and Nutrition developed a Wellness Policy Assessment Tool and Report template that NDS has used to assess the current policy in the Spring of 2021 and 2024.
To review the results of the assessments click on the year below:
To review a presentation comparing the results the assessment between 21-22 school year and 23-24 school year, please use this link.
Wellness Topics
Each month we will post a wellness topics to be shared with your school community. Parents and teachers will find seasonal tips, resources, and healthy opportunities. Want to share wellness activities occurring at your school with others? Send your stories and pictures to Jean Falk, jfalk@ndsarch.org.
- October 2024
- November 2024
Newsletter Archive
Setting the Table for Healthy Eating
Looking for a resource to promote healthy eating? The USDA has created a new toolkit to educate communities on the nutrition facts label and how to use the information to make healthier food choices. Inside the toolkit, you can find a wide range of resources including nutrition education tools and health promotion messages which provide knowledge on making healthier food choices both at home and while eating out. Schools can use this Nutrition Toolkit to educate students, families, and faculty on how they can make healthier food choices! Click here to access the toolkit Setting the Table for Healthy Eating! If your school does use the toolkit make sure to add this information to the Wellness Activity Tracker!
Pennsylvania Harvest of the Month
Promote nutrition education through The Pennsylvania Harvest of the Month! This program was created by the Department of Education and Project PA (Penn State University) in order to promote local agriculture by featuring a Pennsylvania-grown crop each month! For more resources, click here.
All Foods Sold at School
Starting in school year 2014-15, all foods sold at school during the school day are required to meet nutrition standards. The Smart Snacks in School regulation applies to foods sold a la carte, in the school store, vending machines, and any other venues where food is sold to students. Use this calculator to review products. https://foodplanner.healthiergeneration.org/calculator/ Questions about Smart Snack standards should be directed to Jean Falk, jfalk@ndsarch.org.
2024-2025 Wellness Committee- Meeting Dates
Meeting 1 – Monday, October 7, 2024, 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Meeting 2 – Monday, November 18th, 2024 – 3:00-4:00 PM
Meeting 3 – Monday, February 24th, 2025- 3:00-4:00 PM
Meeting 4 – Monday, April 28th, 2025- 3:00-4:00 PM
Until further notice, all Committee meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams.
We ask that you kindly RSVP to Jean Falk at Jfalk@ndsarch.org if you would like to participate.
A link to the meeting will be sent out to those who RSVP.
Wellness Committee
NDS is looking for additional members for our Wellness Committee.
Parents, PE teachers, school health professionals, and school administrators from the schools we sponsor are encouraged to participate in addition to NDS board members, the public, and any other interested stakeholders.
Committee members will be responsible for updating policy language, recruiting new members, assisting with policy assessment, promoting wellness activities and policy adherence at their schools, and sharing ideas for wellness activities that schools can implement.
Please contact Jean Falk at 215-895-3470 or email jfalk@ndsarch.org for background information or other details.
Dates for meetings will be posted on the page (see above) and volunteers are welcome to start attending any time during the school year.
Thanks for considering!
Planning for Wellness
Making wellness part of the school year from the very beginning can help get the year started on the right foot. Get teachers, staff, parents, and students involved in planning and decision-making for healthy activities and events this school year. Planning for the year can be a lot of work, but getting the school community focused on making healthy choices is a great goal and an even better reason to get started now!
There are certain aspects of the school year that may be good areas to focus on first. Here are some ways you can get the 2024-2025 school year started in a fun and healthy way:
- FUNDRAISING: Swap junk food and candy sales for fundraisers that support a healthy student body. Selling pizzas, baked goods, and unhealthy foods does not teach children how to make healthy choices. Each elementary and middle school building is limited to five fundraisers per year that will not meet the Smart Snacks Standards. Take advantage of non-food sales and physical activities that can get the whole school community involved. Be creative and enthusiastic about new ideas and your fundraiser will be a big success! Check out these Healthy Fundraisers to get some great ideas.
- Exemption: PDE does allow exemptions to the fundraising rule during which foods that do not meet Smart Snack standards are allowed to be sold. Elementary and Middle School buildings may have a maximum of five (5) exempt fundraisers and High School buildings may have a maximum of ten (10) exempt fundraisers per building per school year. Exempt fundraisers can last up to one school week OR five (5) consecutive school days. Using the Non-Compliant Fundraiser form can help keep track of all exempt fundraisers.
- FOODS FROM HOME: Maybe your school does not sell soda or candy during the school day, and maybe you provide healthy lunches for your students, but what about foods that children bring from home? It’s important to encourage parents to pack healthy snacks and lunches for their children that are consistent with the school’s Wellness Policy. Use this article about creating healthy standards to address foods brought from home.
- WELLNESS COMMITTEE: Forming a school wellness committee comprised of teachers, faculty, staff, parents, and students is an effective way to get the school community involved in making health and wellness a priority. It’s important to get everyone on board and to be supportive of changes and ideas for the school year. Wellness involves the whole school community, so do your best to encourage everyone’s participation!
- PARTIES AND CELEBRATIONS: Classroom birthday parties and school celebrations are often overflowing with cupcakes, cookies, and other sugary foods. Consider offering fruit and vegetables trays with the sweet treats, and swapping sodas and lemonade for 100% juice and water. Check out these Tips for Healthy Celebrations for more ideas!
- EDUCATION: Providing nutrition education at teacher in-service days, Home & School meetings, and student assemblies is an important part of wellness. NDS can be a resource for you by providing information, handouts, and presentations for your wellness event.
- FOODS SOLD ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS: All foods sold to students on the school campus during the school day must meet nutrition standards known as Smart Snacks in School. To verify that a certain food meets these regulations, enter the product information into the Smart Snacks Product Calculator.
Policy Goals and Resources
- Create “safe and adequate” environments in which the children can eat and do physical activities (Healthy Schools Features).
- Train staff on the policy, nutrition, and physical activity. (Healthy Staff Meetings)
- Incorporate healthy messages in and out of the classroom. (Healthy Non-Food Rewards)
- Provide healthy foods at school celebrations and classroom events. (Healthy Celebrations)
- Educate parents about the Policy and provide nutrition information for food sold at school (Smart Snack Standards).
- Encourage school staff to serve as role models for physical activity and healthy eating (Staff as Healthy Role Models).
- Incorporate physical activity breaks during classroom hours. (Classroom Physical Activity)
- Sell only the vended and a la carte foods and beverages that support the Policy goals. (Selling Food at School)
- Engage families and the community by providing them with nutrition education and resources. (Parents for Healthy Kids)
- Partner with the community to establish programs that support physical activity.
- Provide a comprehensive curriculum to promote life-long skills and knowledge about nutrition and physical activity (Nutrition Education Learning Opportunities).
- Incorporate the goals of the Policy when planning all school-based activities.
- Submit all fundraisers to the administration for approval, and ensure all efforts are consistent with the goals of the Policy. (Healthy Fundraising)
- Create a learning laboratory through the cooperation of school food service and nutrition education classes. (The Cafeteria as a Learning Space)
- Use the Policy to determine the type of foods students may bring from home. (Healthy School Snacks)
For more information about the School Wellness Policy, contact Jean Falk, RD at jfalk@ndsarch.org