WELLNESS POLICY (Holy Spirit Board of Directors Policy #5500)

On June 30, 2004, Congress passed Section 204 of Public Law 108-265, of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. This law requires each local education agency participating in a program, authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.1751 et seq.) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.1771 et seq.), to establish a local school wellness policy by July 1, 2006.

Holy Spirit School is committed to creating a healthy school environment that enhances the development of lifelong wellness practices to promote healthy eating and physical activities that support student achievement.

Preface

The Michigan State Board of Education recognizes and acknowledges that “schools cannot achieve their primary mission of education if students and staff are not physically, mentally and socially healthy.” The Board believes that schools should provide a campus-wide environment where students are taught healthy eating and physical activity knowledge, skills, and values. In addition, the campus-wide environment should provide ample opportunity to practice these skills on a daily basis.

A local school wellness policy is a written document that guides a school’s efforts to establish a school building environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn. The wellness policy requirement was established by the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, and further strengthened by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). It is specific to schools, as opposed to School Food Authorities that participate in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. The responsibility for developing, implementing, and evaluating a wellness policy is placed at the local level so the unique needs of each school can be addressed.

This State Board of Education Model Local School Wellness Policy was developed to assist Michigan school districts in developing their own local wellness policies. This document supersedes the 2005 model policy and must be modified to reflect local school district policy and procedure. Evidence-based goals must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time based (SMART).

Wellness Committee and Policy Leadership

Committee Role and Membership

The school will convene a representative wellness committee to establish goals for and oversee school health policies and programs, including development, implementation, and periodic review and update of this wellness policy.

The committee will represent all school building levels and include to the extent possible, but not be limited to: parents and caregivers, students, representatives of the school nutrition program, physical education teachers, health education teachers, school health professionals (e.g., nurses, physicians, dentists, health educators, and other allied health personnel who provide school health services), mental health and social services staff (e.g., school counselors, psychologists, social workers, or psychiatrists), school administrators, school board members, health professionals (e.g., dietitians, doctors, nurses, dentists), and the general public. When possible, membership will also include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) coordinators. To the extent possible, the committee will reflect the diversity of the community.

Wellness Policy Leadership

The school will establish wellness policy leadership of one or more district and/or school building official(s) (e.g., superintendent, building principal) who have the authority and responsibility to ensure the school building complies with this policy.

The designated official for oversight is Patrick Kalahar, Principal, pkalahar@hsparish.org.

Nutrition

Nutrition Education

Every year, all students shall receive nutrition education that is aligned with the Michigan Health Education Grade Level Content Expectations and the Michigan Merit Curriculum Guidelines for Health Education. Nutrition education that teaches the knowledge, skills, and values needed to adopt healthy eating behaviors shall be integrated into the curriculum. Nutrition education information shall be offered throughout the school campus including, but not limited to, school dining areas and classrooms. Staff members who provide nutrition education shall have the appropriate training.

School’s evidence-based SMART goal(s) for Nutrition Education:

Students can bring in bottled water from home, may have water bottles at their desks, and are given ample opportunities to refill water containers.
Lunch will follow the recess period to better support learning and healthy eating.

Nutrition Promotion

Nutrition promotion and education positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by using evidence-based techniques and nutrition messages, and by creating food environments that encourage healthy nutrition choices and participation in school meal programs. Students and staff will receive consistent nutrition messages throughout school buildings, classrooms, gymnasiums, and cafeterias. Nutrition promotion also includes marketing and advertising nutritious foods and beverages to students and is most effective when implemented consistently through a comprehensive and multi-channel approach by school building staff, teachers, parents, students, and the community.

The school will promote healthy food and beverage choices for all students throughout the school campus, as well as encourage participation in school meal programs.

School’s evidence-based SMART goal(s) for Nutrition Promotion:

School hosts field trips to local farms and makes farm-to-table connections.
All school cafeterias will have a minimum of three taste tests per school year for locally grown products.

Standards and Nutrition Guidelines for all Foods and Beverages

The school shall encourage students to make nutritious food choices and ensure that all foods and beverages sold to students on the school campus during the school day are consistent with federal and state regulations.

Reimbursable school meals must meet requirements found in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Nutrition Standards for School Meals. All foods and beverages sold to students outside the federally regulated child nutrition programs (referred to as “competitive” foods and beverages) must be consistent with USDA’s Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards and Michigan Department of Education Administrative Policy No. 21 regarding Non-Compliant Food Fundraiser Guidance. These standards apply in all areas where foods and beverages are sold which may include, but are not limited to, à la carte lines, fundraising events, school stores, snack carts, and vending machines.

The school will establish nutrition standards for all foods and beverages provided, but not sold, to students during the school day (e.g., classroom parties, classroom snacks provided by parents, or other foods used as incentives).

School’s evidence-based nutrition standards for all foods and beverages provided, but not sold, to students during the school day:

School provides a variety of fruits and vegetables.
School requests healthy snacks provided for class field trips and celebrations.
School provides students with information about healthy snacks.

Food and Beverage Marketing

Food and beverage marketing is defined as advertising and other promotions in schools. Food and beverage marketing often includes oral, written, or graphic statements made for the purpose of promoting the sale of a food or beverage product made by the producer, manufacturer, seller, or any other entity with a commercial interest in the product.

It is the intent of the school to protect and promote student’s health and to provide consistent health-related messaging. Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus during the school day will meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

As the school reviews existing contracts and considers new contracts, equipment and/or product purchasing and replacement, decisions will reflect these marketing guidelines.

Physical Activity and Physical Education

The school shall offer physical education opportunities that include the components of a quality physical education program. Physical education shall equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for lifelong physical activity. Physical education instruction shall be aligned with the Michigan Physical Education Grade Level Content Expectations and the Michigan Merit Curriculum Guidelines for Physical Education.

School’s evidence-based SMART goal(s) for Physical Education:

Planned instruction in physical education shall teach cooperation, fair play, and responsible participation.

Students shall have the opportunity to participate regularly in supervised physical activities, either organized or unstructured, intended to maintain physical fitness and to understand the short- and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthy lifestyle.

School’s evidence-based SMART goal(s) for Physical Activity:

Physical activity and movement shall be integrated across the curricula and throughout the school day.
Students participate regularly in supervised physical activities intended to maintain physical fitness.

Other School-based Activities that Promote Student Wellness

The school will implement other evidence-based programs across the school setting to create environments that are conducive to healthy eating and physical activity and convey consistent health messages.

School’s evidence-based SMART goal(s) for other school-based activities that promote student wellness:

The school will promote to families the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity.
The school provides classroom Quest self-esteem activities.

Implementation, Assessment, Documentation, and Updates

Implementation

The school will develop and maintain a plan to manage and coordinate the implementation of this wellness policy. The plan will delineate roles, responsibilities, actions, and timelines. It is recommended that school buildings use the Healthy School Action Tool (HSAT) to complete a school-level assessment and create an evidence-based action plan that fosters implementation.

Triennial Assessment

The school will conduct an assessment of the wellness policy every three years, at a minimum. The assessment will determine: building level compliance with the wellness policy, how the wellness policy compares to model wellness policies, and progress made in attaining the goals of the wellness policy.

The person responsible for the Triennial Assessment is Patrick Kalahar, Principal, pkalahar@hsparish.org.

Documentation

The school will retain records to document compliance with the wellness policy requirements. Documentation maintained will include: a copy or web address of the current wellness policy, documentation on how the policy and assessments are made available to the public, the most recent assessment of implementation of the policy, and documentation of efforts to review and update the policy, including who was involved in the process, their relationship to the school, and how stakeholders were made aware of their ability to participate.

This wellness policy can be found at https://holyspiritschoolgr.org/about-us/wellness-policy/

Required documentation will be maintained at the School Office.

Updates to the Policy

The school will update or modify the wellness policy as appropriate based on the results of the HSAT and Triennial Assessments; as school priorities change; community needs change; wellness goals are met; new health science, information, and technology emerges; and new federal or state guidance or standards are issued. The wellness policy will be updated at least every three years, following the Triennial Assessment.

Public Updates

The school will inform the public annually about the local wellness policy, including its content and any updates to and about the policy. The Triennial Assessment, including progress toward meeting the goals of the policy, will also be made available to the public. The school will provide information on how the public can participate on the wellness committee and assist with the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the wellness policy. All communication will be culturally and linguistically appropriate and will be available via the school’s website and/or school communications (email, newsletters, mailings).

Michigan Department of Education

Office of Health and Nutrition Services

School Nutrition Programs

Local Wellness Policy:

Triennial Assessment Summary

Background

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to update or modify their wellness policy, as appropriate. When wellness committees meet on a regular basis throughout the school year, an assessment plan should be used to ensure progress is being made on the district’s wellness policy and procedures.

Purpose

The template below is offered to help summarize the information gathered during your assessment. Members of a school wellness committee who are completing the triennial assessment for their school wellness policy may use this template. It contains the three required components of the triennial assessment, including 1) compliance with the wellness policy, 2) how the wellness policy compares to model wellness policies, and 3) progress made in attaining the goals of the wellness policy.

Results

The copy of the assessment must be made available to the public. How the assessment is made available is the decision of the LEA. Many LEA’s choose to post the results on their district website. The triennial assessment summary and the assessment details must be shared.

Recordkeeping

Keep a copy of the most recent triennial assessment, along with supporting documentation on file. This will be needed when you have a School Nutrition Program administrative review.

Resources

https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/local-school-wellness-policy

https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-66254_50144-194546–,00.html

Section 1: General Information

School(s) included in the assessment: Holy Spirit School

Month and year of current assessment: January 2025

Date of last Local Wellness Policy revision: 1/10/25

Website address for the wellness policy and/or information on how the public can access a copy:

https://holyspiritschoolgr.org/about-us/wellness-policy/

Section 2: Wellness Committee Information

How often does your school wellness committee meet? Annually ________________

School Wellness Leader:

Name	Job Title	Email Address
Pat Kalahar	Principal	pkalahar@hsparish.org

School Wellness Committee Members:

Name	Job Title	Email Address
Paula Ryan	Assistant Principal	pryan@hsparish.org
Paul Debri	Teacher	pdebri@hsparish.org
Nikki Kastner	Teacher	nkastner@hsparish.org
Terri Kelly	Administrative Assistant	tkelly@hsparish.org
Charlotte Kufera	Hot Lunch Supervisor	lunch@hsparish.org

Section 3. Comparison to Model School Wellness Policies

Indicate the model policy language used for comparison:

Michigan State Board of Education Model Local School Wellness Policy
Alliance for a Healthier Generation: Model Policy
WellSAT 3.0 example policy language

Describe how your wellness policy compares to model wellness policies.

Nutrition Education is provided for all students in Science classes. Teachers encourage healthy snacks and water during the school day. Healthy snacks are also requested for class holiday parties.

Nutrition Standards are followed in our school lunch program offerings. Milk is offered with lunch. Students may bring their own water bottles. Juice and carbonated beverages are not offered or sold at lunch.

Physical Education and Physical Activity Opportunities are provided. All students are provided structured Physical Education classes. All students are provided unstructured physical activities during a 20-minute lunch recess period. Frequent movement breaks such as Go Moodle are provided during the school day.

Other School-Based Activities Designed to Promote Student Wellness are provided throughout the school year. Our annual PTA Fundraiser is a 5K walk called Walking With The Spirit held in September. Families are offered the opportunity to participate in annual events such as a YMCA Night in February. Students in 3rd-8th grades are offered opportunities to participate on various sports teams sponsored through the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Mental and social health Quest Activities are provided for each class weekly by our school social worker.

Section 4. Compliance with the Wellness Policy and progress towards goals

At a minimum, local wellness policies are required to include:

Specific goals for:
- Nutrition promotion and education
- Physical activity
- Other school based activities that promote student wellness.
Standards and nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages sold to students on the school campus during the school day that are consistent with Federal regulations for school meal nutrition standards, and the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
Standards for all foods and beverages provided, but not sold, to students during the school day (e.g., in classroom parties, classroom snacks brought by parents, or other foods given as incentives).
Policies for food and beverage marketing that allow marketing and advertising of only those foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
Description of public involvement, public updates, policy leadership, and evaluation plan.

Using the table below to indicate the progress made with each goal included in the Wellness Policy. The table may be used for each school separately or the district as a whole.

Tip: When developing a wellness plan, ensure activities are meeting goals by developing SMART objectives:

Specific: Identify the exact area to improve.
Measurable: Quantify the progress.
Attainable: Determine what is achievable.
Realistic: Consider resources and determine what can reasonably be accomplished.
Time bound: Identify deadlines for goals and related tactics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tips for developing SMART objectives.

Michigan Department of Education Local Wellness Policy Assessment Plan

School Name: Date:

Nutrition Promotion and Education Goal(s):

Goal What do we want to accomplish?	Action Steps What activities need to happen?	Timeline Start dates	Measurement How is progress measured?	Lead Person	Stakeholders Who will be involved and/or impacted?	Complete?
Example: Food and beverages will not be used as a reward for students.	Provide teachers with list of non-food reward examples. Discuss changes at back-to- school staff training. Follow-up mid-year to discuss challenges and determine additional communication needed.	Before the beginning of next school year.	Verbal check-ins with staff to ensure compliance. Teacher survey at end of school year.	Principal	Teachers, staff, students	Yes
School hosts field trips to local farms for preschool and kindergarten.	School sets up field trips to local farms. Students see crops grown on farms. Teachers make connections with students about snacks and lunch items grown on farms.	Trips set up in spring for following fall	Verbal check-ins with staff on making farm-to-table connections	Teachers	Teachers, staff, students	Continuous
School hosts field trips for middle school to local farm at Kids’ Food Basket.	School sets up field trips to Kids’ Food Basket. Students pick crops and help assemble lunches. Teachers make connections with students about items grown on farms and making healthy eating choices.	Trips set up for fall and spring visits	Verbal check-ins with staff on making farm-to-table connections and making healthy eating choices	Teachers	Teachers, staff, students	Continuous
All school cafeterias will have a minimum of three taste tests per school year for locally grown products.	Encourage our Student Government students to research locally grown products. Work with our Lunch Supervisor to provide taste tests	September, 2025	Verbal check-ins with students and staff on providing three taste tests per school year	Principal, Lunch Supervisor	Teachers, staff, students
Students can bring in bottled water from home, may have water bottles at their desks, and are given ample opportunities to refill water containers.	Students are encouraged to stay hydrated during the school day. Students have opportunities between classes to refill water containers using our filtered drinking fountains.	Beginning of the year	This information is included in our Parent Student Handbook.	Principal	Teachers, staff, students	Yes
Lunch will follow the recess period to better support learning and healthy eating.	Our scheduling committee makes sure this happens. The Hot Lunch Supervisor is willing to be flexible allowing students opportunities to have lunch after recess.	Beginning of the year meetings	The schedule of lunch before recess is communicated to parents in our Parent Student Handbook.	Principal	Teachers, staff, Students	Yes

Physical Activity Goal(s):

Goal What do we want to accomplish?	Action Steps What activities need to happen?	Timeline Start dates	Measurement How is progress measured?	Lead Person	Stakeholders Who will be involved and/or impacted?	Complete?
Physical activity and movement shall be integrated across the curricula and throughout the school day.	Provide teachers with possible movement activities. Teachers share best practices of movement activities quarterly at staff meetings.	Start of the new semester	Check in quarterly at our staff meetings	Principal	Teachers, staff, students	Continuous
Planned instruction in physical education shall teach cooperation, fair play, and responsible participation.	Teacher sets clear guidelines for cooperation and fair play. Teacher models responsible participation guidelines. Teacher presents these guidelines at the beginning of the year staff meeting.	Beginning of each semester	Check in quarterly with physical education teacher	Principal, PE Teacher	Teachers, staff, students	Continuous
Students participate regularly in supervised physical activities intended to maintain physical fitness.	Students have regular physical education classes. Students have recess with similar grade levels supervised by four supervisors. Recess opportunities include playground equipment, basketball, football, kickball,

School-based activities to promote student wellness goal(s):

Goal What do we want to accomplish?	Action Steps What activities need to happen?	Timeline Start dates	Measurement How is progress measured?	Lead Person	Stakeholders Who will be involved and/or impacted?	Complete?
The district will promote to families the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity.	School provides invitations to families for our 5K Walking With The Spirit event. School provides a Health Week Agenda during the week of the walk. School provides activities such as Movement Monday with dance classes and Try It Tuesday with the opportunity to try new fruits and vegetables.	Beginning of the school year	Count the number of parents, grandparents, and community members who attend the event and get feedback from the PTA	Principal	Teacher, staff, students
Continue classroom Quest self-esteem activities	Work together with the social worker to find appropriate classroom activities. Social worker shares with classroom teachers the content each class is working on.	During the school year	Check in quarterly at our staff meetings	Social Worker	Teacher, staff, students	Continuous

Nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages for sale on the school campus (i.e. school meals and smart snacks):

Goal What do we want to accomplish?	Action Steps What activities need to happen?	Timeline Start dates	Measurement How is progress measured?	Lead Person	Stakeholders Who will be involved and/or impacted?	Complete?
Continue to provide a variety of fruits and vegetables	Get student input on favorite fruits and vegetables Highlight options on the monthly menu	Monthly	Check in with students at monthly Student Government meetings	Principal	Students and staff

Guidelines for other foods and beverages available on the school campus, but not sold:

Goal What do we want to accomplish?	Action Steps What activities need to happen?	Timeline Start dates	Measurement How is progress measured?	Lead Person	Stakeholders Who will be involved and/or impacted?	Complete?
Have healthy snacks provided for class field trips and celebrations.	Inform grade-level room parents to ask for healthy snacks for field trips and celebrations. Provide a list of healthy snacks to the room parents	September	Check in with classroom teachers and room parents	Principal	Parents, teachers, and students	Continuous

Marketing and advertising of only foods and beverages that meet Smart Snacks:

Goal What do we want to accomplish?	Action Steps What activities need to happen?	Timeline Start dates	Measurement How is progress measured?	Lead Person	Stakeholders Who will be involved and/or impacted?	Complete?
Provide students with information about healthy snacks.	Have teachers provide students and parents with info on healthy snacks. Include this information in classroom handbooks and beginning of year guidelines. Provide a list of healthy snacks to teachers.	September	Check in quarterly at staff meetings	Principal	Parents, teachers, and students	Continuous

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