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NEW CUMBERLAND -- Hancock County Schools is continuing to accept public comments on proposed changes to the district's wellness policy.
The policy, listed as Policy EJ by the county school district, was last updated in 2023. The proposed revisions entered a 30-day public comment period at the end of June and include several amendments involving nutrition, physical activity and student wellness.
According to the policy, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires local education agencies participating in the National School Lunch Program to develop a local wellness policy.
The policy provides an opportunity for the Hancock County Board of Education to create a school environment that promotes wellness, while reflecting a shared commitment among the board, parents and the community to encourage healthy eating and physical activity for students and staff.
Among the proposed changes, additional language would be added under the Nutrition Education and Promotion section regarding the use of fresh, locally grown foods.
The policy would state that "school meals will include fresh, locally grown foods in school meals from farms engaged in sustainable practices whenever possible and, these foods will be promoted in the cafeteria."
The amendment also would require meal periods to include minimum "seat time" requirements, including at least 10 minutes for breakfast and at least 20 minutes for lunch.
Under the section titled "Nutrition Standards for Competitive and Other Foods and Beverages," the policy would state that food items served or offered for sale to students during the school day must meet federal, state and local nutrition guidelines.
The updated policy also would require water to be available to students at no cost during meal periods in the cafeteria and throughout the school day.
School nutrition personnel also would be required to meet training standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"All school nutrition program directors, managers, and staff will meet hiring and annual continuing education/training requirements in the USDA Professional Standards for Child Nutrition Professionals," according to the proposed policy.
The proposed changes also address physical education requirements, stating that students may not be exempt from required physical education class time or credit.
The policy would require 150 minutes of physical education per week for elementary students and 255 minutes per week for middle and high school students.
"The school district discourages students from substituting other school or community activities for physical education class time or credit in place of required physical education," the proposed update states.
The revised policy also would limit food and beverage marketing in schools to items that meet nutrition standards under state law.
"School marketing includes the name or depiction of products, brands, logos, trademarks, or spokespersons or character on any property or facility owned or leased by the school district or school," according to the policy.
The district's previously established Wellness Committee also would be required to evaluate the policy three times each year by May 15 using the Wellness Assessment Tool, known as WellSAT Practice.
Meeting notices for the committee would be posted on the county website and school webpages to inform the public. The district's triennial progress report also would be posted online.