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Wellness is a vital part of the educational environment. Students can't be expected to learn if they aren't healthy and there are many studies out there that support a positive correlation between student wellness and learning. The Marshalltown Community School District hopes the establishment of a new district-wide Wellness Committee will help to encourage a culture of health and wellness within Marshalltown Schools and across the Marshalltown community.
The purpose of the committee is to assist with the district's effort to establish a school environment that promotes students' health, well-being and ability to learn. This committee will help to strengthen, implement and evaluate the district's local wellness policy so the unique need of each school can be addressed.
As a part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, local educational agencies or school districts are required to develop a wellness policy including the following: 1. Specific goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness; 2. 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 meals and snacks; 3. Standards for all foods and beverages provided, but not sold to students during the school day such as classroom parties and food given as incentives; 4. Policies for food and beverage marketing to students; 5. Description of public involvement, public updates, policy leadership and an evaluation plan.
The district is seeking the help of students, parents, teachers, health professionals, administrators, the school board and community members to join our effort and be part of the committee. The first meeting of this new committee will be April 11.
For more information or to join our committee, please contact me, the district's wellness committee chair, by email at llarge@marshalltown.k12.ia.us or call 641-754-1185.
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Lynn Large is director of food service in the Marshalltown Community School District.