• Wellness Policy

    The Lauderdale County Board of Education is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for students and staff. We understand and believe that children who are healthy and learn to make healthy choices are better suited to learn more and are more likely to complete their formal education, including graduating from high school.

    Enhancing student learning by providing a curriculum, policies, and procedures that model proper nutrition and physical education. Academic performance and quality of life are affected by the choice and availability of healthy foods in schools. Healthy foods support physical growth, brain development, resistance to disease, emotional stability, and the ability to learn. Good health habits learned in school sets a more healthy pattern for life-long habits and livelihood.

    Wellness Guidelines

    A. Nutrition Education

    1. Nutrition education will be incorporated into the curriculum as required by federal, state, and local mandates at all grade levels.

    2. Nutrition information will be provided to the school staff, students, and parents to promote better health, nutrition, and exercise.

    3. Each school will provide a minimum of one in-service activity each year that emphasizes the importance of health, nutrition, and exercise.

    4. The child nutrition program will continue to provide new information to the schools to ensure compliance with new nutritional guidelines.

    5. School administrators will be responsible for compliance with the nutrition standards for the school store, vending machines, and school sales. Compliance with new mandates will be timely scheduled.

    B. Health Education and Life Skills

    1. Physical education programs shall be in compliance with the Alabama State Department of Education’s Course of Study.

    2. Healthy living skills shall be taught as part of the regular instructional program and provide an opportunity for all students to understand and practice concepts and skills related to health promotion and disease prevention.

    3. Students shall be taught to understand and respect the differences in others and how to build positive interpersonal relations.

    4. Teachers will be good role models by making healthy food choices at school and by reinforcing the importance of good nutrition and physical activity.

    C. Health Services

    1. School nurses shall be provided at each school as needed to provide health services, screenings, and administering prescribed medications.

    2. The Lauderdale County School System will work with health agencies in the communities to promote health and wellness for students, families, staff, and community.

    D. Evaluation

    1. A system health advisory committee will be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of this program. The committee will be made up of the principal or assistant principal, school nurse, CNP director, and the wellness center director.

    2. A checklist evaluation form will be developed and used to ensure compliance. Please go to www.lcschools.org website under Child Nutrition to participate in the survey.

    LCSS Wellness Policy Procedures 

    Following the federal guidelines in federal Public Law 108–265 and the Alabama State Board of Education regulations, the Lauderdale County Board of Education and Superintendent adopted a Wellness Policy for implementation in all LCSS schools. The policy is designed to help curb the childhood obesity problem and the Type II Diabetes epidemic plaguing the state. Schools alone cannot achieve the desired results. It requires the cooperation of parents, students, school personnel, and community supporters. The policy encourages more student activity and healthier eating habits. Some of the guidelines for our schools are as follows:

    • Elementary students will be limited to non-carbonated drinks of 8 ounces or less, baked chips, and other approved snacks.
    • Middle and high school students will have to follow the established state guidelines for snacks.
    • Students on field trips, in cooking classes, and on athletic and band trips will be exempt from the nutrition guidelines in the policy.
    • Elementary birthday parties will be limited by the school and will have restrictions on the kind of beverages and snacks that can be served.
    • Fundraisers outside the school are exempt from the nutrition guidelines, but cannot be done at a time that would interfere with the school breakfast or lunch program.
    • Candy, carbonated drinks, foods high in saturated fat, or foods that have sugar as the first ingredient cannot be used as a fundraiser or as a reward during the school day.
    • Parents may send snacks and lunches from home without restrictions, but the food must be in a non-commercial container, and drinks wrapped in foil. Students cannot share food brought from home with other students because of the numerous food allergies.
    • Students cannot bring food items to school to sell to other students.

    If you would like to be involved in the Wellness Committee, please contact Lori Ferguson at lori.ferguson@lcschools.org
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