WELLNESS POLICY

Local School Wellness Policy

Effective Date: June 1, 2026

Review Date: Annually

I. Purpose

Bishop Mack Preparatory recognizes the connection between student health, wellness, and academic success. The purpose of this Local School Wellness Policy is to promote healthy eating, physical activity, nutrition education, and overall student wellness while ensuring compliance with USDA regulations governing the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).

This policy is established in accordance with:

  • Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
  • USDA Local School Wellness Policy Final Rule
  • 7 CFR Part 210.31
  • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) requirements

II. Wellness Leadership

The school shall designate a Wellness Coordinator responsible for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating this policy.

The Wellness Committee may include:

  • School Administrator
  • Food Service Manager
  • Teachers
  • Parents
  • Students (when appropriate)
  • Community Members

The committee shall meet at least once annually to review wellness goals and policy implementation.

III. Nutrition Promotion

Bishop Mack Preparatory will encourage healthy food choices by:

  • Promoting fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
  • Encouraging students to participate in school meal programs.
  • Displaying nutrition education materials in cafeterias and common areas.
  • Making healthy foods attractive and accessible.
  • Encouraging students to drink water throughout the school day.
  • Providing positive messaging that supports lifelong healthy eating habits.

IV. Nutrition Education

Nutrition education shall:

  • Be age-appropriate.
  • Be integrated into classroom instruction whenever possible.
  • Encourage healthy eating behaviors.
  • Promote understanding of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
  • Teach students how nutrition supports learning, physical activity, and overall health.

Students will receive opportunities to develop skills related to:

  • Healthy food choices
  • Reading Nutrition Facts labels
  • Portion control
  • Food safety
  • Healthy lifestyle habits

V. Physical Activity

The school shall provide opportunities for students to engage in regular physical activity.

Physical activity opportunities may include:

  • Physical Education classes
  • Recess
  • Classroom movement breaks
  • Organized sports
  • Intramural activities
  • Before- and after-school physical activity programs

Physical activity will not be withheld as punishment except when necessary for student safety.

VI. School Meals

All meals served through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program shall:

  • Meet all USDA meal pattern requirements.
  • No meat/grain entrees sold by entities other than the sponsor’s food service program.
  • Comply with current federal nutrition standards.
  • Be prepared in a safe and sanitary manner.
  • Offer a variety of fruits and vegetables.
  • Include whole grain-rich products when required.
  • Limit saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars in accordance with USDA regulations.

Students shall have adequate time to eat meals in a clean, safe, and pleasant environment.

VII. Foods and Beverages Sold on Campus

Any foods and beverages sold to students during the school day outside of the reimbursable meal programs shall comply with USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

Special exemptions for school-sponsored fundraisers do not exceed 5 days in elementary, 10 days in middle/combination, 15 days in high schools.

No food fundraisers until 30 minutes after the last meal service period.

VIII. Food Marketing

Only foods and beverages that meet the USDA Smart Snacks nutrition standards may be marketed or advertised to students on school property during the school day.

Marketing includes, but is not limited to:

  • Posters
  • Signs
  • Scoreboards
  • Vending machines
  • School publications
  • Educational materials
  • Equipment displaying food or beverage branding

IX. Water Availability

Free, safe, and potable drinking water shall be available to students during meal service and throughout the school day in accordance with USDA requirements.

X. Community and Family Engagement

Parents, students, school staff, and community members shall be encouraged to participate in developing, implementing, reviewing, and updating the Local School Wellness Policy.

The school will communicate wellness initiatives through:

  • School website
  • Parent meetings
  • Newsletters
  • Wellness activities
  • School events

XI. Public Notification

Bishop Mack Preparatory will:

  • Make this Local School Wellness Policy available to the public.
  • Inform families annually about the policy.
  • Share information regarding progress toward wellness goals.
  • Provide updates whenever the policy is revised.

XII. Assessment and Evaluation

The Wellness Committee shall assess implementation of this policy at least once every three years.

The assessment shall include:

  • Compliance with the wellness policy
  • Progress toward established wellness goals
  • Comparison with model wellness policies
  • Recommendations for improvement

Results of the assessment will be made available to the public.

XIII. Recordkeeping

The school shall maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with USDA wellness policy requirements, including:

  • The current Local School Wellness Policy
  • Documentation of annual public notifications
  • Records of Wellness Committee meetings
  • Triennial assessment reports
  • Evidence of policy implementation
  • Documentation of policy updates

Records shall be maintained in accordance with federal and state record retention requirements.

XIV. Policy Review and Updates

This policy shall be reviewed annually and updated as needed to remain consistent with current USDA regulations and best practices.

A comprehensive triennial assessment shall be completed at least once every three years, as required by 7 CFR 210.31(e).

XV. Policy Approval

This Local School Wellness Policy is adopted by Bishop Mack Preparatory and shall remain in effect until amended or replaced.

Title: Britnay Mack

Date: June 1, 2026