Common use of School Policies and Procedures Clause in Contracts

School Policies and Procedures. Mater Christi School is committed to providing all of its students with a positive school environment. The following policies and procedures are intended to help all have a positive, productive and successful experience. The goal of the faculty and staff is to support students in developing responsibility, self-reliance and self-discipline. At Mater Christi, we believe that children need healthy food and opportunities to be physically active in order to learn, grow and thrive. Good health supports student attendance and learning. Healthy eating habits and physical activity are important components in the prevention of illness and disease. This policy outlines Mater Christi’s approach to ensuring environments and opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day. Specifically, this policy establishes guidelines to ensure that: ● Students have access to healthy foods throughout the school day in accordance with federal and state nutrition standards while accommodating cultural food preferences and special dietary needs ● Students receive quality nutrition education that helps them develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors ● Students have opportunities to be physically active during and after school ● All foods and beverages served or sold at school meets or exceeds the nutrition recommendations of the US Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To the maximum extent practicable, Mater Christi will participate in federal school meal programs. The lunch program is fully accessible to all students. ● Students may provide input on menu development. ● Half of the grains served are whole grains. ● A variety of fruits and vegetables are served in clear, easy to access containers. ● Extra servings of fruits and vegetables are available with all lunches. Fruits and vegetables are promoted using the following techniques ● Whole fruit is displayed in attractive bowls or baskets ● Sliced or cut fruit is available daily ● All available vegetable options are given appealing or descriptive names ● Servers politely prompt students to select vegetable options with their meal ● Morning announcements are used to promote menu options ● Only low–fat or non–fat milk and yogurt is offered. ● Foods are moderate in sodium, low in saturated fat and trans fat. ● Fresh, seasonal, locally grown/manufactured products are used whenever possible. ● No vending machines on school grounds. ● Soda and beverages containing caffeine are not sold or served. ● No advertising of low quality foods on school grounds. ● The complete nutrition analysis of foods and beverages is always available to students, staff and parents. ● Menus are posted on the school website. Free, chilled, filtered drinking water is convenient and available to all students in the dining room. Students are allowed to bring approved water bottles and may be filled with only water throughout the day. All water hydration stations and fountains are maintained on a regular basis to ensure good hygiene and health safety standards. Snacks served during the school day or in the after school program will make a positive contribution to the child’s dietary intake and health. ● Students have a safe, clean, pleasant dining room of adequate size. ● Staff provide appropriate supervision in the dining room and serve as role models. ● Restrooms are safe and clean. Non–allergenic hand soap and paper towels along with hand sanitizer dispensers and baby wipes are conveniently located so students, faculty and staff can clean their hands before eating and at other appropriate times. ● Two lines of food service allow for a minimum amount of waiting time. Children will enjoy their food more and may try healthier options if they can relax, eat and socialize without feeling rushed. ● Lunch is scheduled near the middle of the school day. In the younger grades (K, 1, 2 and 3) lunch will follow the recess period to best support healthy eating. ● Meetings or activities are not scheduled during mealtimes unless students may eat during such activities. Students are prohibited from sharing their foods or beverages with one another. Birthdays may be celebrated in a creative and festive manner that does not involve food. Special events involving food, such as religious occasions (First Holy Communion), holiday parties (Halloween, Christmas, Kindergarten Mother’s Day celebration), dances, or serving foods that connect to classroom learning (Foreign Language Festival) are permitted under the administration’s discretion. Foods served at special occasions are always peanut-free and nut-free and accommodate documented individual student allergies and intolerances. If food is brought to school to be shared at any time other than an approved occasion, it will not be distributed. Invitations to private parties or events may not be distributed within the classes or on the school grounds.