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LH developing wellness policy

By Steve Ostrosky 4 min read

School officials, teachers, nurses, community members and parents met Monday to begin developing a new wellness policy for the Laurel Highlands School District. All school districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program are required to have a local school wellness policy in place by July 2006, according to Gene Doria, district food service director.

To put together the guidelines, the district has asked people to be involved in how the policy is developed and drafted before the school board approves it, said Beverly Bieniek, director of special education and pupil personnel services.

“We have a major task before us and a lot to do in a year’s time,” she said. “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but we need to come up with a policy.”

The Laurel Highlands Community-School Health Advisory Council will meet in the year ahead to meet the implementation goal. Nearly 30 people attended the first gathering, but Bieniek said she received responses from many more people interested in getting involved.

Kelly Loomis, school health coordinator for Steps to a Healthier PA-Fayette County, said she is working with all six county school districts to develop programs and policies to improve student health.

She said it is important that children are taught about good eating habits and exercising regularly before they develop lifelong bad habits.

“Children are not getting the amount of physical activity they are supposed to, while teenagers are drinking twice as much pop than milk,” Loomis said. “Schools can be a powerful force for change.”

The policy must include the district’s goals for nutrition education at the student and staff level, for physical activity and for school-based activities. Nutrition guidelines must be developed for a la carte foods sold in the cafeteria, for in-school fund-raisers, for vending machines, classroom parties and when food is used as a reward to students, she said.

Studies show that students who get some physical activity during the day have improved test scores and do better in reading comprehension, math skills and writing, Loomis said.

She said the district needs an action plan before it can implement the policy.

“The government wants to see you doing things in your district to promote good health for your children,” Loomis said.

After Loomis’ presentation, eight committees were formed to review different groups that the new policy will affect: school health education; physical education; school health services; nutrition services; counseling, psychological and social services; healthy school environment; school-site health promotion for staff; and family and community involvement.

The committees will meet regularly to discuss their specific areas, Bieniek said, while the council as a whole will meet again Aug. 26 and every other month thereafter until the policy is adopted.

Several high school and middle school students attended Monday’s meeting and were asked for their participation.

“We need you to be involved in these committees, because we want to hear from your side, not just the adult side,” Bieniek said. “We want to hear your thoughts about what’s being served in the cafeteria, about recess time or the number of physical education courses. We really need student input because the policy we develop affects you greatly.”

Dr. Ronald Sheba, district superintendent, said it is important that all facets of the school district and community are represented to address the local and national problem of childhood and adult obesity.

“I’m very pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm of the people. It’s a good starting point,” he said. “I’m hopeful that other people in the community will have an interest and want to serve on one of our committees to put their talents to good use.”

For more information or to join the council, call Bieniek at 724-437-2821, extension 1007, or Doria at 724-437-2821, extension 1032.

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