School Committee approves wellness policy for first reading, adds staff-health provisions

The Danvers School Committee approved the district wellness policy for first reading, endorsing language that clarifies staff health and wellness, mental-health literacy, food-service operations and limits on using physical activity as discipline.

Superintendent Dan said the wellness advisory committee — which includes the district food-service director, school nurses, wellness teachers, YMCA and public-health representatives — reviewed the policy and recommended updates. Key changes approved for first reading included explicit language that recess or physical activity will not be withheld as a disciplinary consequence and that staff health and wellness be supported with resources and programs.

Other policy points

- Food service: The policy reiterates alignment with the National School Lunch Program and school breakfast timelines and protects privacy around eligibility processes even though the district operates universal free breakfast and lunch.

- Celebrations and allergies: The policy keeps the existing no-food-for-birthdays practice and requires classroom celebration foods to be reviewed by the school nurse and purchased through the food-service director to ensure safety for students with allergies.

- Mental-health and SEL: The policy adds explicit goals for de-stigmatizing mental-health issues, age-appropriate social-emotional literacy and awareness for students, parents and staff.

Vote and next steps

A committee member moved to approve the policy for first reading; a second was recorded and the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The committee will return for a second reading and final vote after the required review period.

Ending

The Superintendent said the district will continue to convene the wellness advisory committee quarterly and seek broader stakeholder input as the policy proceeds toward final adoption.