Dear Families:

It is important that you are aware that the State of Connecticut has required that each school in Connecticut adopt a Wellness Policy in an effort to foster good health for children. The Mohegan School faculty and staff worked during the 2006-2007 school year to create the policy, and it was presented to the Parent Advisory Group for input as well. This represents a major change for our school. Many students have allergies to foods, so ask your child’s teacher for his or her ideas and needs regarding food in the classroom. Foods that are not healthy will be returned to you.

Please read through the policy and send back the bottom portion to your child’s teacher indicating that you have read the policy. Let’s work together to improve our children’s health and wellness.

Thank you,

Lorilyn Caron

Principal

Mohegan Elementary School

Wellness Policy

The Mohegan Elementary School faculty and staff are committed to developing and fostering healthy lifestyles for our students and ourselves. This includes healthy eating, attitudes, and exercise. It is believed that regular physical and mental healthcare work to create strong minds and bodies. All students are taught health education concepts as part of their classroom instruction.

To this end, Mohegan Elementary School faculty and staff are dedicated to the following:

· Students must adhere to all mandated Connecticut regulations regarding immunization and health assessments.

· Vision and hearing screens are administered to all students as per State regulations.

· All students are weighed and measured annually.

· Scoliosis screening is conducted for all fifth grade students.

· Education regarding puberty is available for all fifth grade students and their parents.

Mohegan Elementary School

Wellness Policy, page 2

· Regular dental hygiene is encouraged, and students are offered participation in the SMILES program at Mohegan Elementary School.

· All students participate in physical education classes in accordance with State mandates. Mohegan Elementary School students may participate in additional physical activities such as Mohegan Mile Makers, the Fifth Grade Basketball Program, and Jump Rope for Heart.

· Character Education is a part of each child’s learning, and the school psychologist is available on an as-needed basis.

· All state guidelines are adhered to by the Food Services Department personnel and well-balanced nutritional breakfasts and lunches are served daily.

· Students may qualify for free or reduced breakfasts and lunches as determined by the federal government standards for financial need.

· Alternative menu selections are offered daily.

· During the month of March, Natural Nutrition Month is celebrated, and teachers may request that the food services director teach a lesson in the classroom.

· Faculty and staff members are educated regarding personal food allergies annually. Preventing exposure to and contact with allergens is practiced in all school settings.

· All students in grades one through five are provided with a minimum of twenty minutes of recess each day.

· When students arrive to school in the morning, they are provided with time to run around and participate in physical activities, weather permitting.

· At the discretion of the teacher, holiday and/or birthday celebrations may be observed in the classroom.

· Celebrations of any kind are recommended to be of short duration, as determined by the teacher.

· Suggested ideas for celebrations may include special pencils, reading and sharing a book in the child’s classroom, a short art or craft project in the class, eating lunch or sharing recess with your child, etc.

· If food is part of the celebration, families are requested to bring in healthy choices that will make a positive contribution to children’s health. A list of suggested food items is available from the teacher and is outlined in the handbook/agenda book.

· Healthy baked goods such as muffins or bagel chips must be store-bought with the ingredients provided.

· Foods that are considered to not meet healthy standards will be returned with the child at the end of the school day.

· If a teacher is planning to cook with his/her class, s/he must adhere to the Montville Public Schools’ Nutrition and Wellness Policy.

Mohegan Elementary School

Wellness Policy, page 3

Non-food Ideas for Classroom Celebrations Relatively Healthy Food Choices for Classroom Celebrations

A pencil or pen or eraser for each child Whole wheat crackers and cheese

Read a book to the child’s class Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, bananas for example)

Purchase a book in your child’s name for the class Apple Sauce

Child sits in a special seat in the classroom Popcorn

Do a short art or craft activity with the class Low-fat muffins

Play a game with the class Veggies and dip

Have lunch with your child Pretzels

Help run a game at recess with your child Fresh fruit

Make a “Celebrate Me” book or page of a class book Yogurt

Have a special visit to a former teacher, the nurse Rice Cakes

or school administrator

Be a teacher assistant in your classroom for the Graham crackers

morning/afternoon/day Sugar-free Jello

Nuts and seeds

Trail mix

Exchange the idea of a party for extra recess for Animal crackers

the class Bagel chips

Low-fat pudding

Granola

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________ I have read Mohegan School’s Wellness Policy.

________________________

(parent’s/guardian’s signature)

Child’s Name _____________________________