Frazier must implement wellness policy by June
PERRYOPOLIS – The Frazier School District has until June to institute a school wellness policy to promote the health of students and address the growing problem of childhood obesity or it will no longer receive state reimbursement for its lunch program. While the policy was signed into law in 2004 under the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, it requires that each local education agency participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program develop a local wellness policy.
Valerie Bubnash, school board member, addressed the policy Thursday with the intent to form an ad-hoc committee of roughly 25 people that would examine what measures need to be taken in order to have the policy in place before the state deadline.
“I was concerned about (the policy) ever since I came to the district four years ago,” said Bubnash.
As the first step, Bubnash said the committee would assess all aspects of health and physical education in the district’s high school/middle school and two elementary schools.
“This is exciting to me because the law has been behind what I’ve been talking about,” said Bubnash.
An advocate for health and physical education, Bubnash helped coordinate the district’s first health and fitness day last April as a tool to promote the advantages of a healthy lifestyle.
According to Bubnash, Fayette County has one of the highest obesity and diabetes rates in the state, in addition to having a high level of poverty.
With a school wellness policy in place, Bubnash said the committee would be responsible to help establish regulations for a la carte foods, fund-raisers, vending machines, classroom parties and foods used as rewards.
The policy must also include measurable goals for nutrition education, physical activity, food provided on school campus and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness.
Bubnash said the committee would be open to anyone and would like to see a variety of members participate, including parents and students.
Bubnash added that she plans to send out flyers on the committee, which would be responsible to produce a monthly report to the school board on its progress.
In an unrelated policy matter, Dr. Dennis Spinella, superintendent, said he is also looking to form several committees involving teachers, parents and students to seek additional input on ways to keep the district proficient.
Spinella said he is collecting the results of a survey he administered to teachers regarding the district’s strengths and needed areas of improvement.
As part of his goal, Spinella said he plans to meet with teachers once a month from each building.
“That should open up the line of communication because that’s one of the things that has come up that we need to have better communication across the school district,” said Spinella.
In addition, Spinella said he would like to start meeting with students in all grade levels as well as forming a parent advisory council. “It’s very important to me that I get feedback from everybody,” Spinella added.
Turning to other business, the board approved a $4,000 change order for McKee Asphalt Paving Company to install catch basins in conjunction with the Perry Elementary bus turnaround project expected to be completed within the next week, weather permitting.