District revises wellness policy after draft draws criticism
By Kyle Jorrey kjorrey@theacorn.com

Conejo Valley Unified School District continues to work on a wellness policy to comply with federal law. The last draft, which drew criticism from some parents and teachers for being too drastic and far-reaching, has been revised.

The new CVUSD policy no longer includes restrictions on food as a reward or classroom birthday parties-instead suggesting that such activities are done with good nutrition in mind.

Similar revisions can be found throughout the new 10-page policy, which is expected to be presented to the CVUSD board on Tues., May 23.

Any school district that takes part in federally funded school meal programs must, according to a federal mandate in 2004, have a comprehensive wellness policy by next fall.

Joe Cook, CVUSD head of child nutrition, said changes were made so the policy would be met with acceptance-not disdain-when it goes into effect in September at the district's 30 school sites. Compliance, he said, was goal No. 1.

"We figured restrictive guidelines are not the way to bring people into the fold," said Cook, who also heads up CVUSD's Nutritional Advisory Wellness Committee, which is writing the policy. "It's our hope through positive and encouraging language and text, we're going to be getting more people involved in health and wellness, as opposed to creating a level of resentment for the policy."

The latest draft is written so that schools won't be forced to make drastic changes just to comply. This way, Cook said, schools can start working toward the health and nutrition goals contained in the policy without being distracted by overly specific guidelines.

It's counterproductive if the goals are excessive, he said.

"We didn't want (schools) to have to do a lot of changing and conforming just to get to the base level. We didn't want them throwing their hands up . . . before they've ever begun," Cook said.

Most of the revisions in the new policy follow the same theme-fewer specifics and greater interpretation-although some guidelines were removed altogether.

Regarding food rewards, the original draft read: "Schools will not use foods or beverages that do not meet the nutrition standards . . ."

The latest policy says: "If using foods and/or beverages as rewards, schools are encouraged to use foods and/or beverages that meet the nutrition standards stated in the local district wellness policy."

The same type of change was made regarding celebrations and events. The original text read: "Schools should limit celebrations that involve food during the school day to no more than one party per class per month. Each party should include no more than one food or beverage that does not meet nutrition standards . . ."

The new policy reads: "Administrators, teachers and parents are encouraged to choose healthy foods and beverages at school celebrations and events (including classroom parties)." According to Cook, many of

the revisions are a direct result of communication between the wellness committee and the district advisory council.

The feelings and concerns of individual school sites are now part of the plan, Cook said. The revisions prove, too, that the wellness committee heard and responded to feedback from the schools, he added.

"This is definitely a policy that reflects the desires and realities of both the school community as well as the district offices," Cook said. "I think it satisfies both those that wanted to see a big change from what some considered mandate and guideline text, and those that didn't want it. I think both sides are happy with the policy at this point."

Cook expects the current draft to be presented to the school board with only few minor changes. The policy is available for viewing at the district's website: www.conejo.k12.ca.us.

The board of education is expected to vote on the wellness policy Tues., June 6.