Galileo School for Gifted Learning Wellness Policy
I. Philosophy
The Galileo School Board believes that children and youth who begin each day as healthy
individuals are better prepared to learn and are more likely to complete their formal education.
The Board also believes that healthy staff can more effectively perform their assigned duties and
model appropriate wellness behaviors to students. This policy encourages an approach to staff
and student wellness that is sensitive to the individual and community needs.
II. Nutrition
Academic performance and quality of life issues are affected by the choice and availability of
good foods in our schools. Healthy foods support student physical growth, brain development,
resistance to disease, emotional stability and the ability to learn.
A. Nutrition guidelines that include the use of products that are high in fiber, low in added fats,
sugar and sodium and served in appropriate portion sizes consistent with United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards will be established for all foods offered by the
District’s Food Services Department or contracted vendors.
B. Food Services Department guidelines for reimbursable meals will not be less restrictive than
federal and state regulations.
The Food Services Department shall support classroom activities for all elementary students
that include applications of good nutrition practices to promote health and reduce obesity.
III. Health Education
Healthy living skills shall be integrated into the regular instructional program. The program
shall provide students with the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices related to health
promotion and disease prevention.
A. Galileo shall provide for an interdisciplinary, sequential skill-based health education program
based upon state standards and benchmarks.
B. Students and parents shall have access to valid and useful health information and health
promotion products and services.
C. Students shall have the opportunity to practice behaviors that enhance health and/or reduce
health risks during the school day and as part of before or after school programs.
D. Students shall be taught communication, goal setting and decision making skills that enhance
personal, family and community health.
IV. Physical Education and Activity
The physical education program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and
attitudes related to wellness that will enable them to lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Physical
education and physical activities are essential elements of the schools’ instructional program.
A. Physical Education Program
The Physical Education Program shall be designed to emphasize physical fitness and encourage
active lifestyles. The physical education program shall consist of activities of at least moderate
intensity and for a duration sufficient to provide a significant health benefit to students, subject
to the differing capabilities of students.
1. Participation in physical education will be regularly scheduled for students. The physical
education program shall be designed to develop the following learning priorities:
a. Motor skills and other movement concepts.
b. Positive attitudes toward individual fitness, a healthy lifestyle and lifelong physical activities.
c. Health-enhancing levels of physical fitness.
d. Responsible personal and social behavior in physical activity settings.
e. Appreciation of cultural and individual differences in physical activity settings.
f. Safety skills for physical activities.
2. Opportunities for participation in physical activities may be scheduled during the school day,
before or after school. Included in these opportunities, students shall be supported in setting
and meeting personal fitness goals that result in the achievement and maintenance of a health
enhancing level of physical fitness.
V. Healthy Safe Environment
A healthy and safe environment for all, before, during and after school, supports academic
success. Safer communities promote healthier students. Healthier students do better in school
and make greater contributions to their community.
A. School buildings and grounds, structures, and equipment shall meet all current health and
safety standards, including environmental air quality and shall be kept inviting, clean, safe and
in good repair.
B. Safety procedures and appropriate training for students and staff shall support personal
safety and a violence and harassment free environment.
C. Each work site, school and classroom shall work to create an environment where students,
parents, guardians, and staff are respected, valued and accepted with high expectations for
personal behavior and accomplishments.
VI. Health Services
Effective health services delivery systems promoting academic achievement by providing a
broad scope of services will improve the mental and physical health of the students and staff.
A. District personnel shall collaborate with community health liaisons and resources to promote
health and wellness for students, families, staff and community.
B. A program shall be provided to students and staff including health screenings,
immunizations, first aid, parenting skills, communicable disease prevention, community health
referrals and other priority health education topics.
VII. Family, School and Community Partnership
Long term effective partnerships improve the planning and implementation of health promotion
projects and events within each school and throughout the community.
A. Family, student and community partners shall be included on an ongoing basis in school and
District wellness processes.
B. The equality and diversity of the School District shall be valued in planning and
implementing wellness activities.
C. Community partnerships, both nonprofit and for profit, shall be developed and maintained as
a resource for school and District programs, projects, activities and events. A list of these
partnerships shall be maintained and made available to families through each District and
school website.
D. Schools and the District shall advocate, develop and support the engagement of students,
families and staff in community health enhancing activities and events at the school or
throughout the community.
VIII. Staff
Galileo School for Gifted Learning shall provide information about wellness resources and
services, both nonprofit and for profit, and establish a staff committee to assist in identifying
and supporting the health, safety and well-being of the site staff.
A. Galileo School for Gifted Learning shall be in compliance with drug, alcohol and tobacco free
policies.
B. Employees shall be encouraged to participate in the Working Well program designed to
promote wellness and increase knowledge regarding health promotion and disease prevention.
IX. Reporting
A. At the end of each school year, the principal’s designee will complete a report on evaluating
and measuring the implementation and maintenance of the Wellness Program at their school
site. The report shall be sent to the Principal.
B. The effectiveness of the program will be measured by reports sent to the Principal from the
school nurses and the measurement of the body mass index of students, with those BMI’s being
compared to the previous year.
C. The Principal will provide these reports to the Wellness Committee for review. The Wellness
Committee will analyze these reports and provide to the Galileo School Board a summation that
entails the status of implementation and effectiveness of the policy along with suggestions, if
any, for improvement.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 1001.41, 1001.42, F.S.
LAW(S) IMPLEMENTED: P.L. 108-265, SECTION 204
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACT (42 USC 1751 et seq.)
CHILD NUTRITION ACT OF 1966 (42 USC 1771 et seq.)
570.981, 570.982, 1001.43, 1003.42, 1003.453, 1003.455,
1003.46, F.S.
STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AND CONSUMER SERVICES RULE(S): 5P-1.001, 5P-1.002, 5P-1.003
HISTORY: ADOPTED: 03/07/06
REVISION DATE(S): 04/25/06, 01/23/07, 03/01/07,
12/19/07, 01/25/08
FORMERLY: NEW