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The New York State School for the Blind (NYSSB) is committed to the optimal development of every student.Ìý NYSSB believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental, and social success, we need to create positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environments at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year.ÌýÌýÌý

Research shows that two components, good nutrition and physical activity before, during, and after the school day, are strongly correlated with positive student outcomes.Ìý

This policy outlines NYSSB’s approach to ensuring environments and opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day while minimizing commercial distractions.Ìý Specifically, this policy establishes goals and procedures to ensure that:

• Students at NYSSB have access to healthy foods throughout the school day—both through reimbursable school meals and other foods available throughout the school campus—in accordance with Federal and State nutrition standards.
• Students receive quality nutrition education that helps them develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors.
• Students have opportunities to be physically active before, during, and after school.
• School staff are encouraged and supported to practice healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviors in and out of school.
• Families are engaged in supporting the work of NYSSB in creating continuity between school and other settings for students and staff to practice lifelong healthy habits.
• NYSSB establishes, maintains oversight and implementation of the Wellness policy and its established goals and objectives.
• Students will become knowledgeable of Food Safety Rules.
• Students will be encouraged to advocate for healthy alternative food choices to the current menu.
• Students will become knowledgeable of their food source by participating in gardening activities.Ìý
• This policy applies to all students and staff at NYSSB.

The NYSSB Wellness Committee will meet at least four (4) times per year. The committee will meet twice per year to establish goals for and oversee school health and safety policies and programs, including development, implementation, and periodic review and update of this wellness policy. The third meeting throughout the year will be conducted by participating in a Diet and Nutrition Review committee meeting. The fourth meeting will be considered met based on the ongoing review of each child’s IEP reviews and annual Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings.Ìý

The Wellness Committee membership will attempt to represent all school levels. Members of the committee will attempt to include but not be limited to: parents and caregivers; students; instructors; special education assistants; health professionals (school nurses, physicians); food service; and social services staff (psychologists, social workers); and school administrators.

The Superintendent or designee(s) will convene the wellness committee, facilitate development of and updates to the wellness policy, and will ensure the school’s compliance with the policy.Ìý