Students at Chester Community Charter School participated in the annual Jump Rope for Hearts effort by completing obstacle courses and games to raise money for the American Heart Association. Congratulations on a healthy and successful fundraising effort!

1. FUNDRAISING: Swap junk food and candy sales for fundraisers that support a healthy student body. Selling pizzas, baked goods, and unhealthy foods does not teach children how to make healthy choices. Take advantage of non-food sales and physical activities that can get the whole school community involved. Be creative and enthusiastic about new ideas and your fundraiser will be a big success! Check out these Healthy Fundraisers to get some great ideas.
2. FOODS FROM HOME: Maybe your school does not sell soda or candy during the school day, and maybe you provide healthy lunches for your students, but what about foods that children bring from home? It's important to encourage parents to pack healthy snacks and lunches for their children that are consistent with the school's Wellness Policy. Use this article about creating healthy standards to address foods brought from home.
3. WELLNESS COMMITTEE: Forming a school wellness committee comprised of teachers, faculty, staff, parents, and students is an effective way to get the school community involved in making health and wellness a priority. It's important to get everyone on board and to be supportive of changes and ideas for the school year. Wellness involves the whole school community, so do your best to encourage everyone's participation!
4. PARTIES AND CELEBRATIONS: Classroom birthday parties and school celebrations are often overflowing with cupcakes, cookies, and other sugary foods. Consider offering fruit and vegetables trays with the sweet treats, and swapping sodas and lemonade for 100% juice and water. Check out these Tips for Healthy Celebrations for more ideas!
5. EDUCATION: Providing nutrition education at teacher in-service days, Home & School meetings, and student assemblies is an important part of wellness. NDS can be a resource for you by providing information, handouts, and presentations for your wellness event.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia recognizes that student wellness, proper nutrition, and regular physical activity are related to a student's physical well-being, growth, development, and readiness to learn. It also recognizes that schools can provide an environment in which students can learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. The Archdiocese is committed to providing a healthy school environment that promotes these concepts as part of the education of the whole child.

The Archdiocesan School Wellness Policy addresses the nutrient content of food at school, nutrition education, physical activity, and other environmental factors that promote a healthy school environment.

Create "safe and adequate" environments in which the children can eat and do physical activities.

Train staff on the policy, nutrition, and physical activity. (Healthy Faculty Rooms, Healthy Staff Meetings)

Incorporate healthy messages in and out of the classroom. (Constructive Classroom Rewards)

Provide healthy foods at school celebrations and classroom events. (Healthy Celebrations)

Educate parents about the Policy and provide nutrition information for food sold at school.

Encourage school staff to serve as role models for physical activity.

Incorporate physical activity breaks during classroom hours. (Classroom Physical Activity)

Sell only the vended and a la carte foods and beverages that support the Policy goals. (Selling Food at School)

Engage families and the community by providing them with nutrition education and resources. (Encouraging Community Involvement)

Partner with the community to establish programs that support physical activity.

Provide a comprehensive curriculum to promote life-long skills and knowledge about nutrition and physical activity.

Incorporate the goals of the Policy when planning all school-based activities.

Submit all fundraisers to the administration for approval, and ensure all efforts are consistent with the goals of the Policy. (Healthy Fundraising Information, Healthy Fundraising Flyer)

Create a learning laboratory through the cooperation of school food service and nutrition education classes. (Making the Cafeteria Connection, Lunchroom Learning Ideas)

Use the Policy to determine the type of foods students may bring from home. (Healthy Snacks- Flyer, Healthy Snacks- Flyer for Parents, Healthy Lunches)

For more information about the School Wellness Policy, contact Allison Levis at alevis@ndsarch.org.