Resources

Local Wellness Policies: Just the Facts (Voices for Healthy Kids/CSPI)
Webinar: Growing a Healthy Foundation for Learning: What's New in Local School Wellness Policies, August 31, 2017 (Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Voices for Healthy Kids, and Center for Science in the Public Interest). Webinar recording and slide deck.
Summary of Final Rule (USDA)
Final rule on local school wellness policies
USDA’s website on local school wellness policies
USDA’s local school wellness policies toolkit

Communications for Release of Final Rule

Model social media for sharing local school wellness policies and encouraging parents, teachers, students and community to get involved (Voices for Healthy Kids)
Talking points for engaging/speaking with press/media (Voices for Healthy Kids)
Model op-ed (Voices for Healthy Kids)

Support Local School Wellness Policies

What can community members do to support local school wellness policies? (Voices for Healthy Kids)
What can schools do on local school wellness policies? (Voices for Healthy Kids)

Tips

Tips for Parents (CSPI)
Tips for Educators (CSPI)
Tips for Teachers: Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in the Classroom (CDC)
Tips for School Business Officers (CSPI)

Policy Options

Establishing Local School Wellness Policies & Committees

Resource to Sustain & Strengthen Local Wellness Initiatives (Institute of Child Nutrition, step-by-step process for schools to develop their wellness policies)
Local School Wellness Policy Process (USDA)
Building a Local School Wellness Policy Committee (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
School Wellness Committee Toolkit (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Wellness Committee Meeting Guide (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Action for Healthy Kids Parent Toolkit
Action for Healthy Kids’ Local School Wellness Policy Tool
How to Enforce a Wellness Policy (ChangeLab Solutions)
Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and CDC)
Implementing, Monitoring, and Communicating Your Wellness Policy (to access this module, user must create free account on Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Local School Wellness Committee video (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Action for Healthy Kids recommends establishing wellness teams for individual schools:

Best Practices from School Districts that Have Developed and Implemented Strong Local School Wellness Policies

Photos of Healthy Schools Meals
Success Stories (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Success Stories/Best Practices (USDA)
Putting Local School Wellness Policies into Action: Stories from School Districts and Schools (CDC)
California: Alliance Model Wellness Policy Helps Alvord Unified Stay Strong on Smart Snacks
Kansas: Wellness Policy Provides a Roadmap for District’s Healthy Transformation
Texas: Wellness Policy Helps District Build a Long-lasting Culture of Health
Virginia: Fairfax County, VA Wellness Policy

Resources for Each Component of a Local School Wellness Policy

Smart Snacks (competitive foods; vending, a la carte, school stores, etc.)

Staff Qualifications and Professional Development

Kitchen equipment

States Need Updated School Kitchen Equipment (Pew Charitable Trusts)
What Does a School Kitchen Need? (Pew Charitable Trusts)
Map of USDA school kitchen equipment grants (Pew Charitable Trusts)
Case studies on school kitchen equipment grants (Pew Charitable Trusts)

Water Access

Water Access Resources (USDA)
Make A Splash with Water (to access this module, user must create free account on Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Increasing Access to Drinking Water in Schools (CDC)
Water in Schools (project of California Food Policy Advocates)
- Water Works: A Guide to Improving Water Access and Consumption in Schools to Improve Health and Support Learning

Fruits & Vegetables

Fruit and Vegetable Resources (USDA)
Salad Bars for Schools: Let's Move campaign
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program: State and Local Resources (USDA)
How to Start a School Garden (toolkit) (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
MyPlate Ten Tips Nutrition Education Series (USDA)

Fundraising

State Fundraiser Exemptions (BTG; scroll to bottom of page)
Healthy Fundraising Resources (USDA)
Fundraising Resources (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
School Fundraisers Can Be Healthy And Profitable (CSPI/NANA)
Healthy Fundraising Ideas (CSPI/NANA)
Healthy Fundraising Success Stories (CSPI/NANA)
Report: Sweet Deals: School Fundraising Can be Healthy and Profitable (CSPI)
Active School Fundraisers Support Student Health, School Budgets (Pew Charitable Trusts)
School Fundraisers: A Back Door for Junk Food? (Pew Charitable Trusts)(video)
Healthy Fundraising Solutions (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)*
A+ Fundraisers for High Schools (NYC Department of Health)
Celebrations, Rewards and Fundraisers, OH MY! (to access this module, user must create free account on Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Healthy Fundraising (Action for Healthy Kids)
- Healthy Fundraisers - Family Health - English | Español
- Healthy Fundraisers - Food Sales - English | Español
School Fundraisers: Positive Changes in Foods Sold, but Room for Improvement Remains (Healthy Eating Research, BTG)

Classroom Snacks

Healthy School Snacks (CSPI)
Healthy Snack and Beverage Ideas (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Healthy School Snacks - English | Español (Action for Healthy Kids)

Food Rewards

Student Incentives and Rewards (USDA)
Constructive Classroom Rewards and infographic (CSPI)
Healthy Ways to Reward Kids (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)*
A Candy Here, A Candy There: Proposing Alternatives to Foods as Rewards (to access this module, user must create free account on Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Healthy Non-Food Rewards - English | Español (Action for Healthy Kids)
Communications: Sample Non-Food Reward Letter for Substitutes (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)

Parties/Celebrations

Healthy Celebrations Resources (USDA)
Healthy School Celebrations (CSPI)
But, It’s Just a Cupcake (to access this module, user must create free account on Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Celebrations that Support Child Health (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)*
Healthy Birthdays, Celebrations & Family Events - English | Español (Action for Healthy Kids)
- Game On Challenge: Hosting a Family Fitness Fun Event
Healthy Food Ideas - English | Español (Action for Healthy Kids)
MyPlate 10 Tips Make Celebrations Fun, Healthy, and Active (USDA)
Communications: Sample Parent Letter Regarding Classroom Party Policy (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Communications: Healthy Potluck Sign-Up (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)

Nutrition Promotion and Education

Nutrition Promotion Resources (USDA)
MyPlate Ten Tips Nutrition Education Series (USDA)
Nutrition Education Resources (USDA)
USDA Team Nutrition Resources
Nutrition Education & Promotion - English | Español (Action for Healthy Kids)

Food Marketing

Examples of unhealthy marketing in schools (Voices for Healthy Kids/CSPI)
Addressing unhealthy food and beverage marketing through local wellness policies (Voices for Healthy Kids/CSPI)
Voices for Healthy Kids One-Pager - Junk Food Marketing Messaging
Pictures: Food Marketing in Schools Pinterest (CSPI/PreventObesity.Net)
Pictures: Map of Junk Food Marketing in Schools (PreventObesity.Net)
Marketing and Advertising Resources (USDA)
Marketing of Low-Nutrition Foods and Beverages in Schools: Reading, Writing, and a Candy Ad? (CSPI)
Food Marketing in Schools: Not “Cent$ible” for School Funding (CSPI)
Evaluation of Food Marketing in Schools (CSPI)
Model Statute Limiting Food Marketing at School (ChangeLab Solutions)
Voices for Healthy Kids Junk Food Marketing in Schools Toolkit: Don’t Sell us Short
- Toolkit includes template print ads, social media ads, poster, flyer, postcards, and fact sheets for decision makers and for advocates

Physical Activity (Before and After School, and in Classroom)

Physical Activity Resources (USDA)
Walk/Bike to School Resources (USDA)
Alternative School Discipline Options to Withholding Recess (CSPI)
Physical Activity Road Map (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Walking and Bicycling - Alternatives for Schools (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Fitness Trail Station Cards (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Fit for a Healthier Generation Videos (K-12) (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Physical Activity Task Cards (Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
CDC’s Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP)
National Framework for Physical Activity and Physical Education & Resources to Support Schools (CDC)
Fitness Breaks at School - English | Español (Action for Healthy Kids)
Before and After School Activities - English | Español (Action for Healthy Kids)
Evidence-based programs:
- SHAPE America Resources for CSPAP
- Marathon Kids
- SPARK After School Curriculum
- SPARK ABC’s
- GoNoodle Classroom Breaks

Physical Education

Voices for Healthy Kids One-Pager – Physical Education Messaging
Physical Education Resources (USDA)
To access these modules, user must create free account on Alliance for a Healthier Generation:
Presidential Youth Fitness Program
Voices for Healthy Kids Junk Physical Education Toolkit: Exercise Their Minds
- Toolkit includes template print ads, social media ads, poster, flyer, postcards, and fact sheets for decision makers and for advocates. Also includes a message wheel and sample LTE, Op-Ed, and social media messaging.
Join the Voices for Healthy Kids PE Action Team
“I Heart PE” Map (PreventObesity.Net)
Resources on Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (Voices for Healthy Kids)
Essential Components of Physical Education (SHAPE America)
Physical Education Program Checklist (SHAPE America)
2016 Shape of the Nation Report (SHAPE America, American Heart Association, Voices for Healthy Kids)
National Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education (SHAPE America)
Fact Sheet: Physical Education in Public Schools (American Heart Association)
Evidence-based programs:

Recess

Recess/Recess Before Lunch Resources (USDA)
Recess for All! (to access this module, user must create free account on Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
Active Living Research’s Increasing Physical Activity Through Recess
Supporting Recess in Elementary Schools (CDC & Bridging the Gap)
Peaceful Playgrounds
Playworks Playbook
Checklist for a Great Recess (Playworks)
Playground Safety Checklists (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Recess for Elementary School Students (SHAPE America)
Project Play (Aspen Institute)
Increasing Physical Activity Through Recess (RWJF)
Developing a School Recess Plan (Chicago Public Schools)
Recess Before Lunch: A Guide for Success (Montana OPI & USDA)
Recess Moves: A Toolkit for Quality Recess (Minnesota Department of Education)
Recess for Learning - English | Español (Action for Healthy Kids)
Action for Healthy Kids Game on Resources for Recess, Physical Activity and Facility Shared Use

Farm to School

Farm to School resources (USDA)
Ensuring Farm to School Program with School Wellness Policy (WA Farm to School)
Sample Local School Wellness Policy on School Gardens (Public Health Law Center)
See Farm to School model language in Vermont’s School Wellness Policy Guidelines (VT Department of Education)

Staff Wellness

School Employee Wellness (Kaiser Permanente)

Safe Routes to School

Voices for Healthy Kids One-Pager – Safe Routes to School Messaging
Safe Routes to School District Policy Workbook (July 2015) (ChangeLab Solutions & Safe Routes to School National Partnership)
Checklist: Working With Your School District Board to Support Healthy, Active Students (Safe Routes to School National Partnership)
Cultivating Support for Safe Routes to School: A Guide to Building Relationships with School Board Members and Superintendents (Safe Routes to School National Partnership)
Healthy Students, Thriving Districts: Including Safe Routes to School in District Policies (Safe Routes to School National Partnership)
Incorporating Safe Routes to School into Local School Wellness Policies (ChangeLab Solutions)
National Center for Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Voices For Healthy Kids Safe Routes to School State Appropriations Toolkit: Look Both Ways and Safe Routes to School Federal Appropriations
- Toolkits include template print ads, social media ads, poster, flyer, postcards, and fact sheets for decision makers and for advocates

Shared Use

Shared Use Agreements (USDA)
Incorporating Shared Use into Local School Wellness Policies (July 2015) (ChangeLab Solutions)
Voices For Healthy Kids Shared Use Liability Toolkit: Unlock the Doors and Shared Use Expansion: Incentives and Monitoring
- Toolkits include template print ads, social media ads, poster, flyer, postcards, and fact sheets for decision makers and for advocates

Evaluation Tools

Evaluate Local School Wellness Policy: WellSAT 2.0 (Rudd Center)
Alliance for a Healthier Generation and CDC’s School Health Index
Action for Healthy Kids School Health Index
How to Enforce a Local School Wellness Policy (ChangeLab Solutions)

Additional Resources on Local School Wellness Policies

Report: School District Wellness Policies: Evaluating Progress and Potential for Improving Children’s Health Eight Years after the Federal Mandate (BTG/UIC)
Bridging the Gap – Local School Wellness Policy Reports
- Working on Wellness: How Aligned are District Wellness Policies with the Soon-To-Be-Implemented Federal Wellness Policy Requirements? Nationwide Baseline Information from the 2014-15 School Year
- Active Role States Have Played in Helping to Transform the School Wellness Environment through Policy
Local School Wellness Policy (CDC’s resource page)
SHAPE America’s State School Health Policy Matrix 2.0
State School Health Policy Database (National Association of State Boards of Education)
See all of Action for Healthy Kids resources

*The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program gives schools and school districts guidance, technical assistance, training, and support to create and sustain healthy changes, including assistance with wellness policy creation and implementation. To enroll in the Healthy Schools Program, please click here. Members will have access (free of charge) to additional resources, including the model wellness policy.

For more information, contact nana@cspinet.org.