Enforce the rule and tell RCSD leadership they NEED to prioritize the health and well being of our kids.
The time to move is now, the pandemic has compounded toxic stress for children in our community. Consistent toxic stress in childhood caused by poverty, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), and racism can significantly alter overall brain structure and function in children and negatively impacts their overall health and wellbeing in the future. Families across the district have expressed concern over the impact COVID-19 will have and has had on their children’s mental health and wellbeing, and their overall ability to rebound from yet another trauma without adequate support.
The need to invest and prioritize health and wellness of our students has never been greater. The district wellness policy sets the roadmap for the overall goals, requirements, and should provide accountability for the district to advance a healthy and safe environment for all students.
Healthi Kids is working alongside RCSD families to advance the following changes in the district’s wellness policy. We are demanding the following changes
For a full list of recommendations click here.
For a printable version of this infographic click here.
Join us on Tuesday, June 7th as we speak to the School Board Policy Committee about the importance of the local wellness policy.
- To register email the Board.of.education@rcsdk12.org by noon on the day of the meeting. You're able to speak in person at Central Office or via Zoom
Join us on Thursday, June 23rd as we speak to the RCSD School Board about why they need to vote in favor of the new district wellness policy.
-
To register email the Board.of.education@rcsdk12.org by noon on the day of the meeting. You're able to speak in person at Central Office or via Zoom
Share your written comments to the RCSD School board
- Email Board.of.education@rcsdk12.org with your written comments sharing you support the newly revised district wellness policy.
Sign our petition to the RCSD School Board demanding they adopt the new district wellness policy
- Sign our petition in support of the new district wellness policy
Reach out to Alicia Evans Alicia.evans@commongroundhealth.org for more details, or how you can get involved.
A local wellness policy is required by federal legislation. The policy is required to create a policy to outline their goals and strategies to advance student health and wellness in their school district. The USDA has specific requirements local school districts must meet in their wellness policy.
The last update to RCSD’s wellness policy was in 2017. Currently the Rochester City School District is not in compliance with federal requirements and is at risk of losing pieces of funding through their Child Nutrition Programs. All school districts across the country are audited to ensure that their school meals programs are following federal regulations. Those districts not in compliance receive immediate corrective action, and in some cases, funding is either delayed or removed.
The current district wellness policy can be viewed here
The federal government through the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act requires several components to be included in every district’s local wellness policy. These include:
- Goals for nutrition promotion and education
- Goals for physical activity
- Goals for other activities that promote school wellness
- Nutrition guidelines for all food sold on school property
- Policies for food and beverages made available to all students
- Policies for food and beverage marketing
- Plan for family, student and community participation in the implementation of the policy
- Inform public about the wellness policy annually
- Assign someone in the district to be responsible for compliance
- Every three years measure compliance with policy and share with the public
- Every three years review progress to goals
Additional resources to learn about school wellness policies:
- Action for Healthy Kids: School Wellness Policy 101
- Alliance for a Healthier Generation: 10 Essential Components of a Local Wellness Policy
- CDC: Local Wellness Policy Requirements