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  Cook County Board of Education The Cook County Board of Education (CCBOE) will be taking the lead in limiting student access to unhealthy snacks and beverages as part of our CCBOE Initiative for Healthy Children. The Beverage Companies will begin restocking all our beverage machines on all campuses with healthier drinks, including water, sports drinks, etc. and juices w/ minimum of 10% juice. Currently, no beverage machines are accessible to elementary students. This CCBOE initiative meets the requirements of the new state regulations for food made available to children in our schools. We share in the community’s concern about nutrition, unhealthy eating habits, and childhood obesity. While the schools are not totally responsible for what children eat, we can do our part to point them in much healthier directions that will benefit them throughout their lives. We are requiring all campuses to eliminate unhealthy foods-which the United States Department of Agriculture calls “foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV).” Campuses not in compliance with state regulations will be subject to severe state penalties, including reimbursement for food service accounts. Even though our elementary school students do not have access to these foods through vending machines, we want to make sure that teachers are mindful not to distribute these unhealthy foods to students as rewards and that cafeteria do not sell them as extra snacks. It is important that your PTOs and other school organizations know that students are not to receive these foods during the school day or on field trips. We will eliminate carbonated drinks, sugary candies, high-fat candy bars, chewing gum, and other non-nutritional food items. We will promote bottled water, milk, fruit juices, sport drinks, pretzels, nutritional granola bars, light popcorn, and additional healthy choices. All students will benefit through this important change in their lifestyles. These healthy food choices will promote a calmer, more productive classroom environment. (Refer to the section on Restricted Food Items). Thank you for helping us lead this charge to benefit the health and well-being of our students. If you have any questions, contact the Cook County Board of Education. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
PHYSICAL EDUCATIONThe Board recognizes that all students in grades pre-K-12 shall have opportunities, support and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis. The district will provide physical education consistent with federal and state requirements and engage in promotion of physical activities aimed at attainment of the following goals: • Students are given opportunities for physical activity during the school day through daily recess periods, physical education (PE) classes, walking programs, and the integration of physical activity into the academic curriculum. Primary and Elementary schools will have a minimum of 15 minutes for daily recess. • Students are given opportunities for physical activity through a range of after school interscholastic athletic school programs and before school physical activities. The high school faculty is encouraged to include the walking trail as a part of the student and faculty daily physical activities. • Schools work with the community to create ways for students to walk or bike safely to and from school. • Schools encourage parents and guardians to support their children’s participation in physical activity, to be physically active role models, and to include physical activity in family events. • Schools provide training to enable teachers, and other schools and community staff to promote enjoyable, lifelong physical activity among students. NUTRITION STANDARDS FOR ALL FOODS AVAILABLE ON SCHOOL CAMPUS DURING THE SCHOOL DAYThe Cook Co. Board requires all our campuses to eliminate unhealthy foods which the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) calls “foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV).” Campuses not in compliance with state regulations will be subject to severe state penalties, including reimbursement for food service accounts. Even though our elementary school students do not have access to these foods through vending machines, we want to make sure that teachers are mindful not to distribute these unhealthy foods to students as rewards and that cafeteria do not sell them as extra snacks. It is important that your PTO and other school organizations know that students are not to receive these foods during the school day or on field trips. • The school district sets guidelines for foods and beverages in a la carte sales in the food service programs at Cook Middle School and Cook High School. • The school district sets guidelines for foods and beverages sold in vending machines, snack bars, and concession stands on school campuses during school hours. No carbonated drinks are allowed and all vending machines must meet the guidelines for minimal nutritional values. • The school district sets guidelines for foods and beverages sold as part of school-sponsored fundraising activities. We will still allow the sales of candy, cookie dough, etc. However, these items must be delivered after school hours. • The school district sets guidelines for refreshments served at parties, celebrations, and meetings during the school day. Principals will encourage parents to bring in healthy choices for school parties. No carbonated beverages will be allowed at these parties. We suggest fruits be readily available at parties. Refer to Student Health Services • The school district makes decisions on these guidelines based on nutrition goals, not on profit making. NUTRITION EDUCATIONIt is the intent of the Cook County Board that the district shall teach, encourage and support healthy eating by students. Schools shall provide nutrition education consistent with federal and state requirements and engage in nutrition promotion aimed at attainment of the following goals: • Students in grades pre-K-12 receive nutrition education that is interactive and teaches the skills they need to adopt healthy eating behaviors. • Nutrition education is offered in the school dining room as well as in the classroom, with coordination between the foodservice staff and teachers. • Students receive consistent nutrition messages throughout schools, classrooms, cafeterias, homes, community and media. • District health education curriculum standards and guidelines include both nutrition and physical education. • Nutrition is integrated into the health education curricula or core curriculum (e.g., math, science, language arts). • Schools link nutrition education activities with the coordinated school health program. • Staffs that provide nutrition education have appropriate training. • Schools are enrolled as Team Nutrition Schools, and they conduct nutrition education activities and promotions that involve parents, students, and the community. OTHER SCHOOL-BASED ACTIVITIESThe superintendent or designee shall develop procedures that promote attainment of the following goals related to other school-based activities to promote wellness: • School district will provide a clean, safe, enjoyable meal environment for students. • School district will schedule lunch time as near the middle of the school day as possible. • School district will prohibit the use of food as a reward or punishment in schools. • School district will make efforts to keep school or district-owned physical activity facilities open for use by students outside school hours. Student Health Services |
