Glen Cove City School District adopts new wellness policy

On Monday, May 22, the Glen Cove Board of Education adopted the new wellness policy that was proposed at the last meeting on May 8.

All sections of the policy were expanded on, especially the physical education and activity components, which is now more specific. The policy adds that recess and intramural sports are not a substitute for physical education and that physical education hours are a requirement of graduation. Breaks will also now be encouraged in the classroom in between periods of sitting.

Some other changes include following federal meal programs, like the School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, and Summer Food Service Program and federal standards like the 2010 USDA Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act and the Smart Snacks in School rules.

Other changes included: All fundraising food and beverages sold during the school day must meet the nutritional requirements listed in the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools rule and building heads must approve all fundraising. Classroom birthday celebrations have been reduced to once per month and competitive foods, which include all foods and beverages sold outside the meal programs, must meet the minimum nutrition standards specified by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Additionally, the competitive foods will not be sold from the beginning of the school day until the end of the last period of lunch. The board is also encouraging snack uniformity among the schools.

This is the first time the policy has been updated since 2006. “It was just due to be updated and federal policies have changed, and we’re just trying to be on board and up to date,” said board and nutrition and wellness committee member Maria Venuto.

Other updates:

New basketball hoops have been installed at Connolly School.

Board of Education meetings have been moved to Wednesdays for the 2017-2018 school year.

Melanie Arfman, former high school social studies coordinator and current interim Deasy School principal has accepted the position of Deasy School principal.

Summer BOCES program staff, techs, switchboard operators and adult education program staff were appointed.