Student Body Challenge

A recent provision established in the 2004 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act requires all school districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program to develop a school wellness policy. These wellness policies must be adopted by the 2006-2007 school year and must include:

• Goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school-based activities that promote student wellness
• Nutrition guidelines for all food sold on campus
• Plan for measuring its effectiveness
• Involvement from a broad group of individuals in the school community

This provides a significant opportunity for schools to improve their student’s learning capacity by addressing school health policies that influence student health. Studies have shown that schools that take a coordinated approach to school health report better attendance, increased participation in physical fitness, and a greater interest in healthier diets among students.

The Student Body Challenge will help schools meet this federal deadline through a multi-faceted public education campaign highlighting the need for the schools to support healthy eating and active lifestyles. This effort will include educational materials, resources for schools, community meetings and other activities, which will be available Winter 2006. Materials that will be available include a School Wellness Action Kit, a sample newsletter article and a web posting. In addition, HSC staff is available to present at organization meetings.

The Campaign is also distributing a model School Wellness Policy. Available to anyone as an electronic download, this wellness policy provides the basic elements of a school nutrition and physical education wellness policy. Click here to download a model Local Wellness Policy.

For additional information, please contact the Healthy Schools Campaign at 312-419-1810.

Local Wellness Policy Resources:

USDA/Local Wellness Policies: www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Healthy/wellnesspolicy.html
This Web page serves as a clearinghouse of information on the Local Wellness Policy. Sample policies and reference materials are provided to help school districts as they develop their own wellness policies

National Alliance for Nutrition & Activity (NANA): www.schoolwellnesspolicies.org
This Web site contains a sample model wellness policy for local school districts to use as a template in its wellness policy development process.

Action for Healthy Kids: www.actionforhealthykids.org
This organization has compiled curriculum, information and resources to allow schools to develop a local wellness policy that meets it’s district's goals for nutrition and physical activity.

School Nutrition Association: www.schoolnutrition.org
The School Nutrition Association (formerly the American School Food Service Association) has organized tools to help assist the school community in dealing with this new requirement.

Illinois Nutrition & Education Training (IL NET) Program: www.kidseatwell.org
The Illinois NET Program offers free training and resources to help school districts develop and implement a local wellness policy.