3. Wellness Policy A document - approved by the local school board - that promotes a healthy school environment. By focusing on nutrition and physical activity standards, a wellness policy seeks to improve children’s health, classroom behaviors, and academic performance.

4. School Health Council A School Health Council (SHC) is an advisory group composed of committed individuals from both the school and the community. The group works together to provide guidance and leadership to the school on all aspects of the school health program.

5. School Health Council Members Parents Teachers School Attendance Officers Food Service Staff Custodial Staff Students School staff Health care providers (MD, PA, RN, NP, DDS, RD) Business/industry representatives Community leaders Government officials Extension staff Social service agencies Attorneys and law enforcement officials Clergy College/university personnel Media

6. are now one of the minimum requirements for all Local Wellness Policies in Mississippi. Mississippi BEVERAGE and SNACK REGULATIONS

7. TIMELINES When do these regulations need to be implemented? Both beverage and snack regulations have a phased timelines to allow schools and vendors to make necessary adjustments in programs and products. Beverages regulations apply in TWO phases - beginning with 2007-08 school year. Snack regulations apply in THREE phases - beginning with 2006-07 school year.

8. SNACK REGULATIONS General Guidance 1.To ensure that children do not have to choose between the School Breakfast or programs and vended items, schools shall follow the Competitive Food policy EEH. 2.Food sales outside of Child Nutrition Programs are available in Mississippi schools at the discretion of the school district.

9. SNACK REGULATIONS Phases To allow for improved availability of food products, the snack regulations will be phased-in on the following schedule - with the percentages applying to each vending location: School year 2006-07 At least 50% of all vended foods must meet standards School year 2007-08 At least 75% of all vended foods must meet standards School year 2008-09 All vended foods offered must meet standards.

10. New Legislation in 2007

11. 2007 School Health Policy Development Healthy Students Act (House Bill 732/Senate Bill 2369 - Section 37-13-134) Mandates 150 minutes per week of physical education, K-8 Mandates 45 minutes per week of health education, K-8 Requires ½ Carnegie Unit of physical education for graduation, 9-12 Appropriates funds for a physical education coordinator to be housed at MDE

12. 2007 School Health Policy Development Healthy Students Act (House Bill 732/Senate Bill 2369 - Section 37-13-134) Requires the State Board of Education to establish regulations for child nutrition school breakfast and lunch programs to include how food items are prepared, time allotted for the consumption of breakfast and lunch, extra food sales, marketing and retail fast foods. Defines the duties of the School Health Councils to include a coordinated approach to school health

13. 2007 School Health Policy Development House Bill 1132 Provides for a $2.55M school nurse program to be administered by the Office of Healthy Schools

14. School Nurse Legislation Presents Opportunities MDE mandate data collection Data Collection- Web based approach to monthly report nursing tasks

15. Resources for Success For more information 601-359-1737 www.healthyschoolsms.org Mississippi Department of Education Office of Healthy Schools P.O. Box 771 Jackson, MS 39205