Gooding Jt. School District #231

INSTRUCTION                          2310

Nutrition Education

Quality nutrition education should be presented creatively, be grade appropriate, and build knowledge and skills throughout the child’s school experience. It addresses factual information and explores the health, social, cultural, and personal issues influencing food choices. Nutrition and nutrition education are recognized as important contributors to overall health.

Comprehensive nutrition education programs extend beyond the classroom into the larger school environment. The school cafeteria serves as a laboratory where students apply critical thinking skills taught in the classroom. Physical education programs, after-school sports, and school health services are appropriate avenues for nutrition education efforts. Students need to explore how:

1. Knowledge has purpose and meaning in their lives; and
2. Curriculum points to the connections within and across disciplines.

Examples of how nutrition can be integrated into classes include discussing ethnic food practices in the context of history and geography; preparation of healthy food in home economics, adult living, or life skills courses; the study of essential nutrients in science and biology classes; applying mathematical and technological skills to conduct dietary analysis; and addressing the wide range of social, cultural, and psychological aspects of food in language and social studies classrooms.

The District has a comprehensive curriculum approach to nutrition in kindergarten through grade 12. All instructional staff are encouraged to integrate nutritional themes into daily lessons when appropriate. The health benefits of good nutrition should be emphasized. These nutritional themes include but are not limited to:

1. Knowledge of My Plate;
2. Healthy choices to decrease illness;
3. Sources and variety of foods;
4. Guide to a healthy diet;
5. Diet and disease;
6. Understanding calories and food as energy;
7. Healthy snacks;
8. Healthy breakfast;
9. Healthy diet;
10. Food labels;
11. Major nutrients;
12. Multicultural influences;
13. Serving sizes by age, sex, and activity level;
14. Proper sanitation;
15. Importance of fluid intake and selection; and
16. Identifying and limiting low nutrition food.

The District nutrition policy reinforces nutrition education to help students practice these themes in a supportive school environment.

All nutrition education will be scientifically based, consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Nutrition education will be offered in the school cafeteria as well as in the classroom, with coordination between school food service staff and teachers. Teachers can display posters, videos, websites, etc. on nutrition topics and send materials home to involve parents.

Participation in USDA nutrition programs is encouraged as the District conducts nutrition education activities and promotions that involve students, parents, and the community. The District Nutrition Committee described in Policy 8210 will be responsible for these activities.

School Community

For a truly comprehensive approach to the school-based nutrition programs and services, it is crucial that all members of the school community help to create an environment that supports healthy eating practices. Administrators, teachers, school food service and other personnel; parents; and students need to be involved in this effort. Decisions made in all school programming need to reflect and encourage positive nutrition messages and healthy food choices. This includes coordination of nutrition education with the cafeteria and the promotion of healthy food choices in the cafeteria and all school events, such as fundraisers.

Schools should encourage parents to pack healthy lunches and snacks and to refrain from including beverages and foods that do not meet the District’s nutrition standards for individual foods and beverages. Schools will also encourage the use of foods that comply with Smart Snacks in Schools standards for any classroom celebrations involving food.

Cross Reference:         2305 Nutrition Services

                                    7310 Advertising in Schools/Revenue Enhancements

                                    8200 Local School Wellness

                                    8230 District Nutrition Standards

                                    8240 School Meals

Legal Reference:         42 U.S. Code § 1758b Local School Wellness Policy

                                    7 C.F.R. § 210.11 Competitive Food Service and Standards

                                    7 C.F.R. § 210.12 Student, Parent, and Community Involvement

                                    7 C.F.R. § 210.31 Local School Wellness Policy

                                    I.C. § 33-512 District Trustees – Governance of Schools

Other References:       Smart Snacks in School Regulations by the United States Department of Agriculture

Policy History:

Adopted on:5-8-12

Revised on:1-19-21, 8-9-22, 11-15-22, 11-13-23

Reviewed on: