Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wellness Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School Committee adopts updated wellness policy after DESE review and WellSAT assessment
Summary
The committee voted to adopt a revised district wellness policy that adds farm-to-school language and expanded language on students' mental and emotional health after review by a DESE wellness coach and an assessment with WellSAT.
The Northampton School Committee voted to adopt an updated district wellness policy during its April 10 meeting, suspending the usual first-read requirement so the committee could approve the policy at that meeting.
Member Gazzi explained the wellness-policy review process: the district qualified for the Massachusetts DESE School Wellness Coaching Program, formed a committee including district administrators, staff, a parent and a local partner, Grow Food Northampton, and met with a DESE coach. The draft policy was evaluated using the WellSAT 3 assessment tool and subsequently reviewed by DESE school wellness specialists, who scored the district's policy as strong. The updated policy keeps all DESE-required elements and expands on farm-to-school programming and mental and emotional health supports aligned with Goal 5 of the district's strategic plan.
Following a motion to suspend the rules and approve the policy on final reading, the committee voted to adopt the revised wellness policy. Committee members said the policy would be followed by further student engagement on implementation details and noted the administration's continuing obligations around physical-activity programming and PE requirements.
The policy adoption will be incorporated into district practice and followed by implementation work led by the administration and building-level staff.
