TUSD Wellness Policy

The Torrance Unified School District recently adopted a Wellness Policy in accordance with the requirements of the California Department of Education and No Child Left Behind. The District is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children’s health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity under a coordinated School Health Program. Our Wellness Policy can be found on the District website at TUSD Health & Wellness.

Walteria Wellness Plan

Ten Goals for Student Health & Well-Being 2008-2009

Goal 1: Each school develops a school Wellness Committee to aid in the implementation of the district wellness policies.

During the 2006 – 2007 school year, a Wellness Committee consisting of teachers, classified staff members and parents was created to help plan and implement the TUSD Wellness Policies.

Goal 2: Provide staff development on the wellness policy and injury prevention.

The school staff will receive copies of the Walteria Wellness Policy and the Walteria Wellness Plan. The Wellness Committee will continue to meet and provide information to staff as needed.

Each year the teaching staff along with the health clerk staff receives information and guidance from the district regarding students who may have special medical needs and who may require health support.

Goal 3: Each school restricts access to foods that have minimal nutritional value throughout the school grounds during the entire school day.

The 2008-2009 school year, the wellness committee with the support of the principal and the PTA will provide staff and parents with the following information and guidance:

• Provide staff with copies of SB12 & SB965 regarding nutrition standards for California schools.
• Provide staff with a list of foods that are “acceptable” under these new regulations.
• Publish a list of non-food alternatives for classroom teachers to use as incentives.
• Add a “Wellness Corner” to the PTA sponsored Walteria website that will provide parents with school approved links for more information.
• Add a “Wellness Corner” to Pawprints - Walteria PTA newsletter.
• PTA will provide Room Parents with a list of “acceptable” foods for class parties and PTA sponsored school events.

Goal 4: Each school’s fundraising efforts support healthy eating by selling non-food items or foods that are low in fat, sodium and added sugars.

The PTA will begin to research “alternative” fundraising ideas that meet the new regulations.

Goal 5: Pursue active participation of all students in physical education.

Beginning this fall, the P.E. program at Walteria will be supported by a part-time P.E. instructor who will help teachers meet the state P.E. standards for students in 1st through 5th grades. In addition, teachers will continue to use the SPARKS program and P.E. equipment in their P.E. lessons.

Goal 6: Establish collaboration between food service and teachers to reinforce nutrition education lessons taught in the classroom.

The Walteria technology center will provide students with access to the free Dole 5-A-Day Healthy Eating program. Teachers will also be provided with free classroom materials from the Dole 5-A-Day plan and the Dairy Council that support healthy eating and exercise.

Goal 7: Increase screening of tobacco use in students, provide self-help materials and provide students with information about tobacco-use cessation programs.

Teachers and staff, with the support of the PTA, will continue to reinforce healthy choices through educational materials and assemblies during Red Ribbon Week in October.

Goal 8: Increase special health related activities for parent awareness and student involvement.

Walteria will continue to promote special health related activities for students and parents such as the Fun Run in February, the Bike Rodeo in March and Jump for Heart in the spring.

Goal 9: Collaborate with staff to promote student health and safety. Encourage staff participation in health promotional programs.

Safety is a number one priority at Walteria. The principal, staff, students and parents will continue to promote school safety on a daily basis. In addition, The Wellness Committee will continue to meet to explore opportunities within the community that support student health and safety.

Goal 10: Develop parent education programs that praise and reward desirable behavior.

Beginning in 2007-2008, students and parents will be asked to sign a Wellness Pledge that incorporates the 10 goals in our Walteria Wellness Policy.

Classrooms that have 100% participation will receive a non-food incentive award. The PTA will also begin to research wellness related “Family Nights” and Parent Education evenings.