Requirements for Physical Education, Health, and Nutrition

1. Requirements for Physical Education, Health, and Nutrition In Arkansas Public Schools Updated November 19, 2012

2. Topics Purpose and Disclaimer Sources for This Information Some Definitions Key Committees Physical Education Health and Nutrition Contact Information

3. Purpose and Disclaimer The purpose of this presentation is to summarize physical education, health education, and health/nutrition standards and requirements of the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) for public school educators If there exists any discrepancy between the verbiage in this presentation and that of any of the source documents stated in the next slide, the verbiage in the source documents takes precedence

4. Sources for This Information Arkansas Code Annotated (A.C.A.) § 6-16-132 “Physical Education” A.C.A. § 6-16-137 “Physical Education Credit for Physical Activity Courses” A.C.A. § 6-16-141 “Credit for Participating in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps” A.C.A. § 20-7-133 “Child Health Advisory Committee – Creation” A.C.A. § 20-7-134 “Powers and Duties” (of the Child Health Advisory Committee) A.C.A. § 20-7-135 “Nutrition and Physical Activity Standards – Implementation” Arkansas Act 981 of 2011 ADE Rules Governing Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts (July 2009) ADE Rules Governing Nutrition and Physical Activity Standards (Feb 13, 2012) Arkansas Frameworks for Health and Physical Education (Revised 2011)

5. Some Definitions

6. Some Definitions Competitive Foods: Foods and beverages sold or made available to students that compete with the school’s operation of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and/or After School Snack Program, including, but not limited to, food and beverages sold or provided in vending venue (machines, ice chests, cabinets) in school stores or as part of school fundraisers to students on school premises during the declared school day Declared School Day: The official schedule as required for students and staff in a specific Local Education Agency (LEA) location

7. Some Definitions (Continued) • Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV): Foods and beverages restricted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Child Nutrition Programs. There are four categories: • Certain Candies, including candy coated popcorn, fondants (candy corn or soft mints), hard candies, jellies and gums (gum drops, jelly beans, jellied and fruit-flavored slices), licorice, marshmallow candies, and spun candy (cotton candy) • Chewing Gum • Soda Water (including carbonated soft drinks) • Water Ices (any frozen, sweetened water and flavored ice with the exception of products that contain fruit or fruit juice)

8. Some Definitions (Continued) School Fundraisers: All food and beverage items sold by school administrators or school non-licensed or licensed staff (principals, coaches, teachers, club sponsors, etc.), students or student groups, parents or parent groups, or any other person, company or organization directly associated with the school programs School Health Index (SHI): Aself-assessment and planning guide designed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help schools identify strengths and weaknesses of the school’s health promotion policies and programs, develop an action plan for improving student health, and involving teachers, parents, students and various members of the community in improving the school’s policies and programs

9. Key Committees

10. Key Committees Arkansas Child Health Advisory Committee (ACHAC) School Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Committee (SNPAAC)

11. Child Health Advisory Committee State level committee Meets at least monthly Develops nutrition and physical activity standards Makes policy recommendations to the Arkansas Board of Education and the State Board of Health Examines the progress of the Arkansas Coordinated School Health Program Makes recommendations to ADE and the Department of Health concerning the implementation of the Arkansas Coordinated School Health Program

12. Child Health Advisory Committee 20 members appointed by 2agencies for 3-year term Director, Department of Health appoints 11 Members representing: Commissioner of Education appoints 9 Members representing: Department of Education Arkansas School Nutrition Association Arkansas School Nurses Association Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Arkansas Parent Teacher Association Arkansas School Boards Association Arkansas Association of School Business Officials Arkansas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development One (1) member who is a classroom teacher • Arkansas Department of Health • Arkansas Dietetic Association; the • American Academy of Pediatrics, Arkansas Chapter • Arkansas Academy of Family Practice • Arkansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance • The Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences • Arkansas Center for Health Improvement • Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families • University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service • Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities of the Department of Health • One (1) member to represent jointly the Arkansas Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the American Lung Association

13. School Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Committee (SNPAAC) Every school district is required to appoint an SNPAAC Includes members from school district governing boards, school administrators, food service personnel, teacher organizations, parents, students, and professional groups such as nurses and community members Purpose is to help raise the awareness of the importance of nutrition and physical activity May also be referred to as the “Wellness Committee”

14. School Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Committee Activities Assists with the implementing nutrition and physical activity standards Integrates nutrition and physical activity into the overall curriculum Ensures staff professional development includes nutrition and physical activity issues Ensures students receive nutrition education and engage in healthy levels of vigorous physical activity Improves the quality of P.E. curricula and increasing training of P.E. teachers

15. School Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Committee Activities • Enforces existing P.E. requirements • Pursues contracts that both encourage healthful eating by students and reduce school dependence on profits from the sale of FMNV • Ensures goals and objectives for nutrition and physical activity are incorporated into the annual school planning and reporting process • Annually assesses each school campus using these modules of School Health Index for Physical Activity, Healthy Eating and a Tobacco-Free Lifestyle: • #1 - School Health Policies and Environment; • #2 - Health Education; • #3 - Physical Education and other Physical Activity Programs; • #4 - Nutrition Services; and • #8 - Family and Community Involvement Assessment.

16. School Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Committee Activities Compares the physical education and health education assessment from the School Health Index to the standards defined by the ADE Physical Education and Health Curriculum Framework Compiles results of the SHI and provides a copy to the principal of each school for inclusion in the ACSIP Provides the annual completed SHI assessment results and the physical activity standards comparison to the principal of each school for inclusion in the ACSIP Assists the schools in implementing the Child Health Advisory Committee recommendations for all foods and beverages sold or served anywhere on campus

17. School Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Committee Activities Updates annually a list of locally available, healthier food and beverage options available for sale to students Encourages the use of non-food alternatives for fund-raisers Makes written recommendations to the local school board on food and beverage vending contracts Includes as part of the district’s annual report to parents and the community the amount of funds received and expenditures made from competitive food and beverage contracts

18. Physical Education

19. Physical EducationRequirements and Standards for All Grades • Each school shall develop a P.E. program that fits effectively and efficiently into the school’s existing organization and into state standards and curriculum frameworks • At a minimum, school districts will work with their local SNPAAC to: • Encourage participation in extracurricular programs that support physical activity, such as walk-to-school programs, biking clubs, after-school walking etc. • Encourage implementation of developmentally appropriate physical activity in after-school childcare programs • Promote reduction of time youth spend in sedentary activities such as watching television and playing video games • Encourage development of and participation in family-oriented community-based physical activity programs • Incorporate into school ACSIP strategies to achieve the requirements set forth in ADE rules

20. Physical EducationRequirements and Standards for All Grades • Nothing in ADE rules shall be construed to require any school or school district to hire personnel certified (or licensed) in physical education • Nothing in ADE rules prohibits • A public school student’s elective enrollment or voluntary participation in physical activity or P.E. as a part of public school curriculum or extra-curricular activities • A school district’s decision to require P.E. instruction or physical activity in excess of the amounts identified in this presentation or in ADE rules

21. Physical EducationRequirements and Standards for Grades K-6 • Minimum of one hundred fifty (150) minutes of combined P.E. instruction and physical activity each week • Sixty (60) minutes of P.E. training and instruction each calendar week of the school year • Ninety (90) minutes of physical activity each calendar week of the school year, which may include daily recess, P.E. instruction in addition to the required 60 minutes, or intramural sports • Schools may provide more physical activity if they wish • P.E. classes will have a maximum student to adult ratio of 30:1 • At least one of the adults directly supervising the physical education classes must be a licensed physical education teacher or licensed elementary teacher • The licensed physical education teacher or licensed elementary teacher will be responsible for the delivery of physical education instruction • Non-licensed personnel may assist in filling the 30:1 student to adult ratio if they are trained and assigned to supervise physical education classes

22. Physical EducationRequirements and Standards for Grades 5-12 • Grades 5-8 • 60 minutes of P.E. training and instruction each calendar week of the school year OR • An equivalent amount of time in each school year • No additional requirement for physical activity (applies also to grades 5 and 6 IF they are not located on an elementary school campus) • Grades 7-12 • P.E. instruction must be provided by a licensed P.E. teacher • License must correspond to the grade levels being taught • Grades 9-12 • 1/2 unit of P.E. is required for high school graduation • No additional requirement for physical activity • Organized physical activity course (if approved by ADE) may be used for P.E. credit • One year of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps may be used for P.E. and health credit

23. Physical EducationExemption From Requirements • A student may be exempted from P.E. and physical activity requirements by seeking a waiver from the local school board • The local school board may grant such a waiver based on any of the following criteria: • The student’s attending physician must provide a statement indicating that participation in P.E./physical activity will jeopardize the student’s health or well-being • The parent or student must be members of a recognized religious faith that objects to P.E. as part of its official doctrine or creed • The local school board shall encourage a student granted a waiver to take appropriate instruction in health education or other lifestyle modification • Suitable modified courses shall be provided for students physically or mentally unable or unfit to take the course(s) prescribed for other pupils

24. Health and Nutrition

25. HealthHealth and Safety Education • Health and safety education is required for all students every year • For grades K-8, there is no minimum for health and safety education • For grades 9-12, students must receive ½ credit of health education class to meet graduation requirements • One year of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps may be used for P.E. and health credit • Maximum allowable class sizes are: • Kindergarten: 20 students for 1 teacher (or 22 students for 1 teacher + 1 teacher’s aide) • Grades 1-3: 25 students for 1 teacher • Grades 4-6: 28 students for 1 teacher • Grades 7-12: 30 students for 1 teacher

26. HealthHealthy School Environment No food or beverage shall be used as rewards for academic, classroom or sport performances and/or activities All school cafeterias and dining areas should reflect healthy nutrition environments Schools should ensure that all students have access to school meals Schools should not establish policies, class schedules, bus schedules or other barriers that directly or indirectly restrict meal access Drinking water via water fountains or other service receptacle should be available without charge to all students on campus according to Arkansas Department of Health standards

27. HealthBody Mass Index (BMI) • Schools must check and report BMI starting in kindergarten • Reports are to be made in even-numbered grades • Reports are sent home as part of a student’s health report • Parents may refuse to have their child’s BMI checked by submitting a written request • Students in grades eleven through twelve (11-12) are exempt from any public school or state requirement for measuring or reporting BMI

28. Nutrition Elementary students are not allowed access to food/beverage vending machines anywhere on campus during the declared school day During the declared school day, an elementary school site may not serve, provide access to, or use as a reward, any FMNV or competitive food In all schools, the Child Nutrition Program may only sell food items in the cafeteria, during meal periods that are already offered as a component of a reimbursable meal during the school year, including extra milk, fresh fruits, vegetables, and/or an extra meal meeting the same requirements of the reimbursable meal Elementary School food service departments shall not sell or give extra servings of desserts, French fries and/or ice cream During the declared school day, at middle, junior high and high school sites, schools shall not serve, provide access to, through direct or indirect sales, or use as a reward, any FMNV or competitive food to students anywhere on school premises until thirty (30) minutes after the last lunch period has ended

29. Nutrition • Elementary schools: • May not give students access to food/beverage vending machines anywhere on campus during the declared school day • May not serve, provide access to, or use as a reward, any FMNV or competitive food • Shall not sell or give extra servings of desserts, French fries and/or ice cream • Middle, junior high and high school schools shall not serve, provide access to, or use as a reward, any FMNV or competitive food to students anywhere on school premises until thirty (30) minutes after the last lunch period has ended during the declared school day • In all schools, the Child Nutrition Program may only sell food items in the cafeteria during meal periods

30. NutritionExceptions to Limiting Foods and Beverages • Parents may provide FMNV for their own child ONLY – not for other children at school • School nurses may use FMNVs during the course of providing health care to individual students • Special needs students may have FMNV for behavior modification (or other suitable need) if their Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan calls for it • Students may be given any food/beverage items during the school day: • Limited to nine different events each school year • Must be determined and approved by school officials • Food/beverage items may not be given during meal times in the areas where school meals are being served or consumed

31. NutritionExceptions to Limiting Foods and Beverages • Snacks may be provided or distributed by the school if: • They are part of the planned instructional program (for example, afternoon snack for kindergarten students who eat early lunch) AND • They meet the USDA Child and Adult Care Snack Patterns • Foods integrated as a vital part of the instructional program are allowed. Examples include: • Edible manipulatives such as a square of cheese to teach fractions • A nutrition food experience • Food production in family and consumer science units or food science units • New or renewed vending contracts for carbonated and sweetened non-carbonated beverages will be restricted to no more than twelve (12) ounces per vended container. (This requirement does not apply to contracts with an effective date on or before August 8, 2005)

32. For more information contact the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Learning ServicesCurriculum and Instruction Unit Health and Physical Education Specialist: John Kaminar John.kaminar@arkansas.gov 501-683-4905 or visit ADE’s Physical Education and Health web page at http://www.arkansased.org/divisions/learning-services/curriculum-and-instruction/resource-materials-for-lesson-plans/physical-education-health