5052: ESU Wellness Policy

The ESU is committed to providing an environment that enhances learning and the development of lifelong wellness. The goals outlined in this policy were determined and selected after reviewing and considering evidence-based strategies.*

  1. Goals for Nutrition Promotion and Education
    1. The ESU will promote healthy food and beverage choices for all students, as well as encourage participation in ESU meal programs by such methods as implementing evidence-based healthy food promotion techniques through the ESU meal programs and promoting foods and beverages that meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in school nutrition standards.
    2. The health curriculum will include information on good nutrition and healthy living habits.
    3. Teachers will incorporate information on nutrition and wellness into the classroom curriculum as appropriate.
    4. The ESU will collaborate with public and private entities to promote student wellness.
    5. Water will be made available to students throughout the ESU day.
  2. Goals for Physical Activity
    1. The ESU’s curriculums shall include instruction on physical activity and habits for healthy living.
    2. Students will be encouraged to engage in physical activities throughout the ESU day and will be provided with opportunities to do so.
    3. The ESU encourages parents and guardians to support their children's participation in physical activity, to be physically active role models, and to include physical activity in family events.
  3. Goals for Other ESU-Based Activities Designed to Promote Student Wellness
    1. The ESU will participate in state and federal child nutrition programs as appropriate.
    2. The ESU will provide professional development, support, and resources for staff about student wellness.
    3. Students will be provided sufficient time in which to eat ESU-provided meals.
    4. The ESU’s lunchrooms will be attractive and well-lighted.
    5. The ESU will allow other health-related entities to use ESU facilities for activities such as health clinics and screenings so long as the activities meet the ESU’s requirements and criteria for the use of facilities. 
    6. The ESU may partner with other individuals or entities in the community to support the implementation of this policy.
    7. The ESU will strive to provide physical activity breaks for all students, recess for elementary students, and before and after ESU activities, as well as encourage students to use active transport (walking, biking, etc.)
    8. The ESU will use evidence-based strategies to develop, structure, and support student wellness.
  4. Standards and Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods and Beverages Sold to Students on the ESU Campus and During the ESU Day
    1. The ESU will ensure that student access to foods and beverages meet federal, state and local laws and guidelines including, but not limited to:
      1. USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast nutrition standards
      2. USDA Smart Snacks in school nutrition standards.
    2. The ESU will offer students a variety of age-appropriate, healthy food and beverage selections with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains aimed at meeting the nutrition needs of students within their calorie requirements in order to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity.
  5. Standards for All Foods and Beverages Provided, But Not Sold to Students During the ESU Day - The ESU may provide a list of healthy party ideas or food and beverage alternatives to parents, teachers, and students for classroom parties, rewards and incentives, or classroom snacks. The ESU discourages the use of food and beverages as a reward or incentive for performance or behavior.
  6. Food and Beverage Marketing - Marketing and advertising is only allowed on ESU grounds or at ESU activities for foods and beverages that meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in ESU nutrition standards, except as follows:
    1. This requirement does not apply to marketing that occurs at events outside of ESU hours such as after ESU sporting or any other events, including ESU fundraising events.
    2. The ESU will not immediately replace menu boards, coolers, tray liners, beverage cups, and other food service equipment with depictions of noncompliant products or logos to comply with the new USDA Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition requirements. All previously purchased products will be used, and all existing contracts honored.
    3. All equipment that currently displays noncompliant marketing materials will not be removed or replaced (e.g., a score board with a Coca-Cola logo). However, as the ESU reviews and considers new contracts, and as scoreboards or other such durable equipment are replaced or updated over time, any products that are marketed and advertised will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards
  7. Public Participation - Parents, students, representatives of the ESU food authority, teachers, ESU health professionals, board members, ESU administrators, and members of the general public shall be allowed to provide their input to the ESU during the wellness policy adoption and review process.
  8. Competitive Foods (Includes Food and Beverages Sold in Vending Machines, ESU Stores,  and Fundraisers)
    1. Definitions. “Competitive food” means all food and beverages other than meals reimbursed under programs authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 available for sale to students on the ESU campus during the school day.  For the purpose of competitive food standards implementation, “school day” means the period from the midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day.
    2. Applicability. Except as otherwise allowed by the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) or applicable law, all competitive foods sold during the ESU day must meet the USDA Smart Snacks Standards and the nutrition standards found in 7 CFR § 210.11. The competitive food restrictions do not apply to food sold during non-school day hours, weekends, and off-campus fundraising events such as concessions during after-school sporting events, school plays or concerts; or to bulk food items that are sold for consumption at home. (Ex: frozen pizzas, cookie dough tubs, etc.) 
    3. Fundraiser Exemptions. A special exemption is allowed for the sale of food and/or beverages that do not meet the competitive food standards as required in this section for the purpose of conducting an infrequent school-sponsored fundraiser.  The specially exempted fundraisers must not take place more than the frequency specified by NDE during such periods that schools are in session. No specially exempted fundraiser foods or beverages may be sold in competition with school meals in the food service area during the meal service. 
    4. Other Exemptions. The only other nutrition exemptions from the competitive food requirements are those found in 7 CFR § 210.11.
    5. Other Limitations.  No competitive food can be sold to children anywhere on school premises beginning one half hour before breakfast and/or lunch service until one half hour after meal service unless all proceeds earned during these time periods go to the school nutrition program.  
    6. Triennial Assessment - The ESU board shall assess and review this policy at least every three years to determine:
      1. Compliance with this policy;
      2. How this policy compares to NDE model wellness policies;
      3. Progress made in attaining the goals of this policy.

        The ESU board will update or modify this policy as appropriate.
    7. Public Notice - In addition to identifying the topic on its meeting agenda as required by the Open Meetings Act, the ESU will provide notice of this policy at least annually to the public and other stakeholders identified in this policy by one or more of the following methods: on its webpage, in its newsletter, in the student and employee handbooks, newspaper advertisements, direct mailings, electronic mail, and public postings.

      In addition to identifying the topic on its meeting agenda as required by the Open Meetings Act, the ESU will provide notice of the Triennial Assessment and progress reports towards meeting the goals in this policy using one or more of those same methods.
    8. Recordkeeping - The ESU will retain records to document compliance with the requirements of the wellness policy at its central office.
    9. Operational Responsibility - The administrator is responsible for coordinating the implementation of this policy and for monitoring the ESU’s progress in meeting the goals established by this policy. The administrator will periodically report to the board on the ESU’s progress in implementing this policy.

      * These strategies include, but are not necessarily limited to, those cited in the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Model Wellness Policy (Updated June 2020 to Reflect the USDA Final Rule) found at https://api.healthiergeneration.org/resource/2.

    Adopted on: June 8, 2009
    Revised on: June 10, 2013
    Revised on: May 13, 2019
    Reviewed on: January 9, 2012
    Revised on: August 14, 2023
    Revised on: August 12, 2024

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