WELLNESS POLICY GUIDELINES

            St. Mary’s Catholic School promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as a total learning environment.  St. Mary’s supports a healthy environment where children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices.  The following guidelines were written and approved by our Education Committee to be included in St. Mary’s School Parent/Student Handbook.

POP

·        Pop should not be used as a reward or a beverage at parties.

·        Only water, milk, sport drinks, and beverages containing 100% fruit juices should be consumed at holiday parties.

·        Pop should not be handed out as a birthday treat.

CANDY

·        At holiday celebrations (such as Christmas, Halloween, etc.) the students may eat the snack provided along with one treat that does not meet nutritional standards.  The candy they received will be sent home.

·        Teachers are discouraged from giving candy as a treat or reward.

·        We encourage parents to send healthy birthday treats or items such as pencils or erasers or a book donation to the classroom.

FOOD

·        There should be a limited amount of food served at holiday celebrations.  We are blest with many willing parents who volunteer snacks/drinks.  However, the teacher will call any parent who volunteered to bring snack or drink so we can limit the amount of food brought in.

·        The list below are some popular snack choices for your consideration:

            Trail mix                                      Cheese and crackers

            Fruit cocktail                              Fresh fruit

            Celery (ants on a log)                Granola/nutrigrain/oatmeal bars-not cereal bars

            Dry cereal                                    Popcorn or popcorn balls

            Rice cakes                                   Muffins

            String cheese                               Yogurt (regular, frozen, “Gogurt”)

            Cheese cubes                              Fruit smoothies

            Chex mix                                     Vegetables and dip

            Bagels                                          Pretzels (honey mustard)

            Baked chips                                Mini ham or turkey sandwiches

            Jell-O (cups or jigglers)                        Crackers (whole grain, graham, animal)

ACTIVITY

·        Exercise is important.  Because of that, no hand-held games or books will be allowed outside at recess time nor during the noon hour.