2013 Vermont Statutes
Title 16 Education
Chapter 5 COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
§ 216 Wellness program

216. Wellness program

(a) In this section:

(1) "Fitness program" means a program which includes a physical education program and a physical activity program.

(2) "Nutrition" includes all food and beverages sold or served in the food service program, vending machines, snack bars, and school stores.

(3) "Physical activity program" means a program which includes, in addition to regular physical education classes, minimum daily physical activity for each student provided through activities such as recess and other recreation periods, and participation in athletics either during or after regular school hours. "Physical activity" means moderate and vigorous physical activities.

(4) "Physical education program" means a program which is a sequential, developmentally appropriate program that is an enjoyable experience for students and designed to help students develop the knowledge, skill, self-management skill, attitudes, and confidence needed to adopt and maintain physical fitness throughout their lives.

(5) "Wellness program" means a program which includes fitness and nutrition.

(b) The commissioner with the approval of the state board shall establish an advisory council on wellness and comprehensive health which shall include at least three members associated with the health services field. The members shall serve without compensation but shall receive their actual expenses incurred in the pursuit of their duties relating to wellness and comprehensive health programs. The council shall assist the department of education in planning, coordinating, and encouraging wellness and comprehensive health programs in the public schools.

(c) The commissioner shall collaborate with other agencies and councils working on childhood wellness to:

(1) Supervise the preparation of appropriate nutrition and fitness curricula for use in the public schools, promote programs for the preparation of teachers to teach these curricula, and assist in the development of wellness programs.

(2) [Repealed.]

(3) Establish and maintain a website which displays data from a youth risk behavior survey in a way that enables the public to aggregate and disaggregate the information.

(4) Research funding opportunities for schools and communities that wish to build wellness programs and make the information available to the public.

(5) Create a process for schools to share with the department of health any data collected about the height and weight of students in kindergarten through grade six. The commissioner of health may report any data compiled under this subdivision on a countywide basis. Any reporting of data must protect the privacy of individual students and the identity of participating schools.

(d) The department shall offer assistance to school districts and supervisory unions to provide teacher instruction in wellness programs.

(e) Any school district board or supervisory union board may establish a wellness community advisory council to inventory community programs and assets and to assist the school board and community in developing and implementing wellness programs. The school board shall provide public notice to the community to allow all interested parties to apply for appointment. The school board shall endeavor to appoint members that represent various points of view and expertise within the community regarding wellness programs. Members may include representatives from coordinated school health teams, teachers, school administrators, students, community members, health care providers, parents, and others. (Added 2003, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), 2; amended 2007, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), 6; 2009, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), 6.)