Lathrop K-8 Nutrition and Fitness Standards
                   (approved BOE June 2005)

Beverages:
No carbonated beverages except carbonated water will be available for sale to students in the vending machines.          
*Students will only be allowed to have water or flavored water in class.  Teachers may have any beverage in a generic/unlabeled container.
*Juice may also be sold if it is 100% juice with no added sweeteners and no more than 12 oz. size, available only during meals and after school.
*A vending machine for low-fat milk and yogurt will be obtained, to begin use as soon as it can be purchased, and only to be available during meals and after school.

Snacks/Vending:
*All snacks/foods provided by representatives of the school will follow these guidelines:
                        <30% calories from fat, except for fat from nuts, seeds or peanut butter
                        <10% calories from saturated fats
                        <400 mg sodium
                        <35% sugar by weight (except for fresh, dried or canned fruit which may not contain
                           added sugars)
                        Maximum portion sizes are as follows:
                                    1.25 oz - snacks and sweets
                                    2 oz  - cookies and cereal bars
                                    3 oz  - bakery items
                                    3 oz  - low fat frozen desserts or ice cream

All food/snack fundraisers by school organizations as well as snack machines will follow the same guidelines.  These fundraisers must also exceed USDA regulations for “food(s) of minimal nutritional value” to be allowed to be sold in the school dining area during meal times. These foods are those that provide less than 5% RDI per serving for protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, calcium and iron.  Any foods that do not meet these standards, including fundraisers, bake sales or vending machines, may not be sold during meal times.
* Every effort should be made to improve the taste selection of healthy options to promote their sale.  It is also recommended these items be priced at a lower cost to encourage students to try new healthier options.
*Food fundraisers are encouraged to include fresh fruit whenever possible.  Student fundraisers are also encouraged to seek non- food option as much as possible.

No snack or beverage vending machines will be available in the elementary buildings.  Middle school will be allowed to establish vending for the purpose of identified sports/tutoring after school hours, if the snack guidelines are met (this paragraph modified 3/26/08 HAB)
*Foods/beverages brought from home for are exempt from guidelines. Snacks for classrooms provided by parents are exempt from the snack guidelines but should follow portion limits. 
*Incentives or rewards for classroom performance may include occasional use of candy, but an emphasis should be on use of non-food rewards such as pennies, tokens, use of extra recess as a reward or special activities. Candy for incentives or rewards should be placed in desk drawers or cabinets and not out in the open.

Physical Activity:
* In keeping with a renewed commitment to making sure the students are receiving developmentally appropriate physical activity, incorporation of regular classroom stretching and movement into each class should be emphasized as much as possible.  Loss of recess for misbehavior or incomplete class work should also be avoided.  Instead, use an extra recess for example as a reward for work completion.  It has been documented that children who misbehave, in particular those with an attention deficit, often will be more apt to misbehave if they do not have adequate physical expenditure.
*The CDC recommendations for school physical education classes consisting of moderate to vigorous activity are 150 minutes a week for elementary grades and 225 minutes a week for secondary grades.   This may include hiring faculty as needed. We recommend further pursuit of meeting these recommendations.
*An after-school activity program will be developed incorporating participation of interested high school students. 
           
Nutrition Education:
* A renewed focus on current information in nutrition and health education will continue to be provided for students, parents and the community.  As student learning about nutrition and fitness is reinforced  through elementary and junior high, it is anticipated that there will be a natural readiness to make better health decisions through high school and beyond.