School Meals

Information on summer food service available through MPS: Summer Food Service Program

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cr/discrimination-complaint-form from any USDA office, by
calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Messmer High School Wellness Policy

Policy Preamble

The Board of Education of the Messmer High School (hereto referred to as the District) supports the health and well-being of the District’s students by promoting nutrition and physical activity at all grade levels. In accordance with federal law, it is the policy of the Board to provide students access to healthy foods and beverages; provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity; provide nutrition education; and require that all meals served by the District meet or exceed the federal nutritional guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Policy Leadership

The designated official for oversight of the wellness policy is Mke Bartels. The official shall convene the Wellness Committee and lead the review, updating, and evaluation of the policy.

To assist in the creation of a healthy school environment, the District shall establish a Wellness Committee that will provide an ongoing review and evaluation of the Wellness Policy. The Committee shall meet no less than two times during the school year to implement, assess and review, and make recommendations for changes to the Wellness Policy.

The District shall invite a diverse group of members to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the wellness policy. Members may include:

• Administrator
• Physical education teacher
• School food service representative
• Community member/parent
• Nutrition and/or health education teachers
• School counselor

Nutrition Standards for All Foods

The District is committed to serving healthy meals to our students. The school meal programs aim to improve the diet and health of school children, model healthy eating patterns, and support healthy choices while accommodating cultural food preferences and special dietary needs

Standards and Guidelines for School Meals

The District is committed to ensuring that:

• All meals meet or exceed current nutrition requirements established under the Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010. The policy should include a link to USDA meal pattern requirements or list individually.
• All schools in the District participate in USDA child nutrition programs, including National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
• All meals are accessible to all students.
• Withholding food as a punishment shall be strictly prohibited.
• All meals are appealing and attractive and served in clean and pleasant settings.
• Drinking water is available for students during mealtimes.
• When drinking fountains are not present in the cafeteria, water cups/jugs are available.
• Students are provided at least 10 minutes to eat breakfast and at least 20 to eat lunch after being seated.
• All school campuses are “closed” meaning that students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during the school day.
• Lunch shall be scheduled following recess for elementary students., Lunch shall be served between 11am-1pm.
• Menus shall be posted on the District website and will include nutrient content.
• Menus shall be created/reviewed by a Registered Dietitian or other certified nutrition professional.
• All school nutrition program directors, managers, and staff shall meet or exceed hiring and annual continuing education/training requirements in the USDA professional standards for child nutrition professionals.

In addition, the District’s nutrition services shall:

• Notify parents of the availability of the breakfast, lunch, and summer food programs and be encouraged to determine eligibility for reduced or free meals.
• Allow students the opportunity to provide input on menu items.
• Restrict the scheduling of club/organizational meetings during the lunch period unless students are allowed to purchase lunch to be consumed during the meetings.

Foods and Beverages Sold Outside of the School Meals Program

• All food and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (“competitive” foods and beverages) shall, at a minimum, meet the standards established in USDA’s Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in Schools (Smart Snacks) rule. The policy should include a link to the USDA Smart Snacks standards or list individually.
• All food and beverages sold to students during before and after school programs shall meet the USDA Smart Snack nutrition standards.
• No beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners (artificial or natural), such as diet iced tea, diet soda, etc. shall be sold to students during the school day regardless of their compliance with the USDA Smart Snacks standards.
• The sale of foods and/or beverages containing caffeine (with the exception of trace amounts of naturally occurring caffeine) at all grade levels during the school day are prohibited.
• The District allows up to two exempt fundraisers per school per year. All other fundraisers sold during the school day will meet the Smart Snacks nutrition standards. No restrictions are placed on the sale of food/beverage items sold outside of the school day.

Marketing

Schools will restrict food and beverage marketing to only those foods and beverages that meet the nutrition standards set forth by USDA’s Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in Schools (Smart Snacks) rule. Marketing includes brand names, trademarks, logos, or tags except when placed on a food or beverage product/container; displays, such as vending machine exteriors; corporate/brand names, logos, trademarks on cups, posters, school supplies, education materials, food service equipment, and school equipment (e.g. message boards, scoreboards, uniforms); advertisements in school publications/mailings; sponsorship of school activities, fundraisers, or sports teams; educational incentive programs such as contests or programs; and free samples or coupons displaying advertising of a product.

Foods Provided but Not Sold

All foods and beverages offered on the school campus, including those provided at celebrations, parties, or part of classroom snacks, will adhere to the District standards as established below.

Nutrition Education

The District aims to teach, model, encourage, and support healthy eating by providing nutrition education. The primary goal of nutrition education is to influence students’ lifelong eating behaviors. As such:

• Nutrition education, a component of comprehensive health education, shall be offered every year to all students of the District. 
• Schools shall provide nutrition education that helps students develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors.

Nutrition Promotion

The District is committed to providing a school environment that promotes students to practice healthy eating and physical activity. Students shall receive consistent nutrition messages that promote health throughout schools, classrooms, cafeterias, and school media.

Physical Activity

The District shall provide students with age and grade appropriate opportunities to engage in physical activity. A such:

• Schools shall provide physical activity opportunities for all students before and after school. Activities include physical activity classes/clubs, physical activity in aftercare, intramurals, and varsity sports.
• Opportunities to participate in physical activity shall be promoted throughout the school via school announcements, newsletters, and flyers.
• The District shall support active transport to and from school by engaging in the following activities:
  • Crossing guards are used and crosswalks exist on streets leading to schools.

Physical Activity

• All District high school students in each grade shall receive at least 120 minutes of physical education per week throughout the school year.
• All District high school students are required to receive 1.5 credits of physical education prior to graduation.
• Students shall be moderately to vigorously active for at least 50% of class time during all physical education class sessions.
• All physical education classes are taught by licensed teachers who are certified to teach physical education.
• Physical education staff shall receive professional development on a yearly basis.
• In health education classes, the District shall include topics of physical activity, including: the physical, psychological, or social benefits of physical activity; how physical activity can contribute to a healthy weight; how physical activity can contribute to the academic learning process; how an inactive lifestyle contributes to chronic disease; and decreasing sedentary activities.

Other School Based Activities that Promote Wellness

As appropriate, schools shall support students, staff, and parents’ efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As such:

• The District supports the implementation of other programs that help create a school environment that conveys consistent wellness messages in an effort to promote student well-being.
• Students shall be allowed to bring and carry throughout the day approved water bottles filled with only water.

Staff Wellness

The District will implement activities to promote healthy eating and physical activity among school staff, such as the organization of employee physical activity clubs.

Community Engagement

The District shall work with community partners, including medical professionals, universities, tech schools to support district wellness. The District shall inform and invite parents to participate in school-sponsored activities throughout the year.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The District wellness policy will be updated as needed based on evaluation results, District changes, emergence of new health science information/technology, and/or new federal or state guidance are issued. The District will actively inform families and the public about the content of and any updates to the policy through website and newsletters.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email:
program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

 

A local wellness policy guides efforts to create a healthier school environment. Effective wellness policies support a culture of well-being by establishing healthful practices and procedures for students, staff, and families. Schools/districts participating in the federal Child Nutrition Programs are required to complete an assessment of their local wellness policy, at minimum, once every three years. This report summarizes policy objectives and details the results of the most recent evaluation.

Wellness Policy Assessment Report Card

For questions regarding the results, contact Mike Bartels at 414-264-5440.