The Seattle School Board is committed to the optimal development of every student. The Board believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental, and social success, we need to create positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environments at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year.

Research clearly indicates tremendous inequities in access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity in our community. It is the imperative and intention of Seattle Public Schools to mitigate these disparities by providing equitable access to healthy food and physical activity across all Seattle schools. It is the imperative and intention of Seattle Public Schools to mitigate these health and educational disparities by acknowledging where disparities exist within the district and devising plans of action to address, prevent and thus reverse those disparities. Children who eat well-balanced meals and engage in physical activity throughout the school day are generally healthier and more likely to be academically successful. To clarify the district’s role in supporting students, the following core wellness beliefs are adopted:

• Students have equitable access to healthy foods and potable water throughout the school day—both through reimbursable school meals and other foods available throughout the school campus that meet or exceed Federal and state nutrition standards;
• Students are given adequate time to obtain and consume meals in an environment that encourages healthy eating;
• Students receive quality evidence-based health education, physical education, and nutrition education allowing them to develop lifelong healthy behaviors;
• Students have adequate opportunities to be physically active before, during, and after school, including adequate recess and regular physical activity breaks;
• Students are provided equitable opportunities for physical activity with appropriate accommodations and modifications to school meals, nutrition education, physical education and physical activity;
• Foods that do not meet USDA Smart Snacks standards are not marketed or sold on school grounds during the school day;
• School staff are encouraged to promote healthy nutrition and support physical activity; including not using food as a reward, scheduling recess before lunch, and practicing healthy celebrations;
• Each school should incorporate a Wellness Goal in their Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP)

The Superintendent or their designee is authorized to develop procedures and guidelines to implement this policy. The general public and school community will be involved in the periodic review, implementation, and update of this policy.

Superintendent Procedures

• 2180SP – Nutrition Education and Nutrition Promotion
• 3405SP – Student Wellness: Recess for Elementary School Students
• 6700SP – Distribution and Sale of Competitive Foods

Policy Cross References

• 0030 – Ensuring Educational and Racial Equity
• 2125 – Sexual Health Education
• 2180 – Nutrition Education and Nutrition Promotion
• 2185 – Physical Education
• 3211 – Gender-Inclusive Schools: Transgender and Gender-Expansive Student Rights and Supports
• 3415 – Accommodating Students with Diabetes
• 3520 – Student Fees, Fines, or Charges
• 4237 – Advertising and Commercial Activities
• 6700 – Distribution and Sale of Competitive Foods
• 6705 – Food Service and Student Nutrition
• 6896 – Drinking Water Quality and Access

Legal References

• RCW 28A.210.360 Model policy on access to nutritious foods and developmentally appropriate exercise—School district policies.
• RCW 28A.210.365 Food choice, physical activity, childhood fitness – Minimum standards – District waiver or exemption policy.
• RCW 28A.210.368 Nutrition, health, and physical education model policy and procedure.
• 2 CFR Part 200 – Procurement.
• 7 CFR, Parts 210 and 220.
• 7 CFR, Part 245.5.

Management Resources

• USDA Local School Wellness Policy; WSSDA Policy & Legal News, March 2024

Revisions

• September 3, 2024

Adopted

• October 7, 2015