Wellness

School districts participating in federally subsidized child nutrition programs are required by federal law to establish a local school wellness policy. School officials may find the following information regarding developing, implementing and evaluating school wellness policies helpful:

• A list of Wellness Policy Minimum Requirements
• Tips for Identifying Local Wellness Practices relating to school nutrition and physical activity
• Questions districts may want to consider after they have reviewed local data relating to nutrition and physical activity. These questions are designed to help districts during their Wellness Assessment and Goal Setting process. 
• A list of Wellness Policy Resources available to help school districts develop, implement and evaluate local school wellness policies
• The WASB’s  Wellness Policy Worksheet (58.82 KB) . This worksheet addresses policy development as well as policy implementation

Examples of some ways school districts can do their part in promoting healthy eating and physical activity among school children are found in the  October 2003 (1.79 MB) issue of the WASB policy publication The FOCUS.

Also, school districts, like other employers, are finding it necessary to do whatever they can to help reduce employee health problems and control health care costs. While some health problems are genetic, many of them can be prevented or modified through healthy lifestyle choices and by early detection and treatment. One way school districts are trying to help reduce employee health problems and control health care costs is through employee health promotion and wellness programs.

• The  May 2007 (1.02 MB) issue of The FOCUS provides guidance to districts in the development and implementation of employee wellness policies and programs and highlights examples of Wisconsin school district employee wellness program activities.

• The  December 2009 (750.10 KB)  issue of The FOCUS discusses the use of "Farm to School" initiatives by Wisconsin School Districts.