The Fort Madison Community School District and the Board promote healthy students by supporting wellness, good nutrition and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment. The school district supports a healthy environment where students learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. Schools contribute to the basic health status of students by facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and regular physical activity. Improved health optimizes student performance potential.

The FMCSD provides a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors. The entire school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned with healthy school district goals to positively influence a student’s understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to good
nutrition and regular physical activity. 

The school district supports and promotes proper dietary habits contributing to students’ health status and academic performance. It is encouraged that foods available on school grounds and at school-sponsored activities during the instructional day should meet or exceed the school district nutrition standards and in compliance with state and federal law. Foods should be served with consideration toward nutritional integrity, variety, appeal, taste, safety and packaging to ensure high-quality meals.

The school district will make every effort to eliminate any social stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Toward this end, the school district may utilize electronic identification and payment systems; provide meals at no charge to all children, regardless of income; and/or promote the availability of meals to all students.

The school district will develop a local wellness policy with input from parents, students and representatives of the school food authority, the school board, school administrators, and physical education teachers. The school district will develop a plan to implement the local wellness policy and periodically review and update the policy.

The nutrition guidelines for all foods provided by food service will focus on promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity in the Fort Madison Community School District.

The superintendent or designee will monitor and evaluate this policy.