Sierra County Office of Education
The Sierra County Office of Education and the Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District recognize the strong connection between health and the student’s ability to learn. Good nutrition, physical activity and mental health provide the foundation for effective learning and achieving high standards in school. Our desire is to promote healthy eating and physical activity for all students and staff, as well as a safe and healthy school environment. It is our responsibility to remember the schools role in the community, to support family health, and to provide support for mental health for our students.
Nutrition Education and Guidelines
The Sierra County Office of Education and the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District will post policies and regulations on nutrition and physical activity in public view in all school cafeterias and eating areas. (Education code 49432) The district will provide nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that:
- is offered to all grades K-12.
- engages family participation through use of Project Lean strategies, touring local gardens, and classroom cooking demonstrations.
- is part of health education classes and class room instruction in subjects such as math science, language arts, social sciences and elective subjects.
- encourages food service staff to provide menus that align with classroom based nutrition and health education.
- provides food service staff and teaching staff with current ongoing nutrition education to promote healthy eating.
- uses 2005 US Dietary Guidelines and California Education Code guidelines for beverage and food standards within schools.
Nutrition Guidelines for Foods Available at School
The district will follow nutrition guidelines for all foods available on campus during the school day, with the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity. Foods and beverages available to students should support the heath curriculum and promote optimal health. All foods in the food service program, student stores, vending machines and in fundraisers will meet state and federal nutrition standards.
The district will encourage the use of healthy food items or non-food items for fundraising purposes. School staff will avoid the use of non-nutritious foods as a reward for academic performance or classroom behavior. Parents or other classroom guests will be encouraged to use healthy food choices at class parties and will consider nutritional quality when selecting snacks donated for parties and birthday celebrations. Class parties will be held after lunch when possible.
SPJUSD prohibits the consumption of energy drinks such as Monster, Red Bull and Rock Star on school sites. These drinks contain high levels of caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants. Energy drinks contain up to 160 milligrams of caffeine, which exceeds the Food and Drug administration limit of 68 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce drink. Consumption of these drinks may cause anxiety, rapid heart rates, heart palpitations, irritability, difficulty sleeping and indigestion.
Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District Wellness Policy">Read The Rest of the Policy...
