We follow Administrative Regulation 5600: Student Wellness in order to be in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. This regulation pertains to general student wellness, food incentives in classrooms, special occasions, school meals (breakfast and lunch), physical activity and nutrition standards. The following topics highlight components of the regulation that need particular attention:

• Caffeine/Caffeinated Beverages:
  • All foods and beverages in elementary school and middle school must be non-carbonated and caffeine-free, with the exception of trace amounts of naturally-occurring caffeine substances (e.g. chocolate milk).
  • Students have been known to bring items on campus that are caffeinated. Per our policy, administrators, teachers and staff will ask students to surrender items with caffeine that are brought on campus.
• Chewing Gum:
  • Chewing gum and any flavored products from natural or synthetic gums and other ingredients that form an insoluble mass for chewing are prohibited in District schools.
• Serving Size:
  • Student lunches or personal food items brought to school by individual students must be a reasonable serving size for an individual student. This limits the distribution (sharing) of non-compliant food items with other students.  All personal food items are not to be shared on campus at any time.
  • Food items that exceed a reasonable individual serving size will be held and returned to the student at the end of the day.
• Special Occasions:
  • All food distributed at our school site must comply with the wellness policy. This includes personal items brought by families.
  • The District allows for exceptions to the wellness policy for special occasions or holidays, not to exceed twice per month. The following may be considered “special occasions”:
    • Observances of state or national holidays including, but not limited to, Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanzaa
    • School community observances, such as birthday parties; and
    • As part of a learning experience related to the reinforcement of established lesson plans in the classroom.
  • Anderson's wellness exemption days are listed on the calendar.
  • Outside food should be commercially prepared to minimize food borne illnesses and to avoid known food allergens.

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