Healthy Eating Policy

Introductory Statement
This policy was formulated by the staff of Sandford Parish National School to facilitate the smooth running of the school.

Aims

To promote a whole-school approach to healthy eating.
To encourage pupils to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
To benefit pupil learning.
To strengthen links between home and school.
To ensure that all staff members are aware of their collective and individual responsibilities.
To clarify procedures in regard to this policy.

Content of policy

Pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class are taught about and encouraged to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
In line with this, they are encouraged to bring a healthy, nutritious lunch to school.
A healthy, nutritious lunch could include a wholegrain sandwich/roll/wrap/pitta/crackers/rice cakes with a healthy filling/topping (eg. salad, meat/fish, cheese, eggs, hummus), fruit/fruit salad, vegetable sticks (eg. carrots, celery, peppers, cucumber), a child sized portion of popcorn, yoghurt (from Senior Infants up). Some other options are salad, pasta salad or rice salad or soup.
Pupils are encouraged to drink water at break, lunch and throughout the day where appropriate.

The following items are not allowed in school: Chocolate of any description, sweets, jellies, biscuits, crisps, cakes, buns and sweet muffins, winders and similar sweetened fruit leather, unhealthy cereal bars, ‘sports’/fizzy drinks.
Treat items may be allowed on special occasions, at the discretion of the class teacher.

Roles and Responsibility for development, implementation and reporting

Board of Management/Principal

The Board of Management through the principal and teaching staff has overall responsibility for the development and implementation of this policy.

Class Teachers

The class teacher encourages children to eat healthily and to bring a healthy lunch to school.
The class teacher may send home any items brought in that are not appropriate for school.

Parents/Guardians:

Parents/guardians should provide a healthy, nutritious lunch for their child/children.

Pupils:

It is the pupil’s responsibility, under the guidance of a parent/guardian, to bring a healthy lunch to school.

Success Criteria
The success of this policy will be judged on the feedback from teachers, pupils, and parents.

Review
This policy is to be reviewed bi-annually or as the Board of Management deem necessary.

Ratification & Communication
Presented to the Board of Management school year 2014/15.