Wellness Policy and Nutrition Guidelines

The local Wellness Policy requirement is established by Section 204 of the Public Law 108 - 265, the Child Nutrition and WIC reauthorization Act of 2004. The law requires each Local Education Agency (LEA) participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program to develop a local wellness policy that promotes the health of students and addresses the problem of childhood obesity. The Wellness Policy must include measurable goals in the following areas:

• Goals for nutrition education
• Goals for physical activity
• Goals for other-school based activities designed to promote student wellness
• Nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages available on school campuses during the school day with the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity
• The goals set forth in the policy will establish regulations for a la carte foods, fundraisers, vending machines, classroom parties, and food used as rewards
• A plan for monitoring progress

No. If a family chooses to recognize their child’s birthday with their class, they may do so with a non-food item. Teachers and parents will be provided with non-food alternative birthday party suggestions for the classroom.  

School Wellness Policy 246: (Classroom parties and celebrations section for more information) 

Yes, however approval is given by your building principal. 

Yes, only if the nutritional standards of the NSLP are followed as well as smart snack guidelines. Also, principal approval must be given, as well as the following guidelines must be met: 

• Shall offer a minimal amount of foods (maximum 2-3 items) containing added sugar as the primary ingredient (e.g., cupcakes, cookies).  
• Classroom parties will provide the following:
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Water, 100% fruit juice or milk  

For more information refer to Policy 246: School Wellness.  

Yes, however approval is given by your building principal. It is encouraged to bring in healthier options like fresh fruits or vegetables, low sodium/fat products. 

Smart snacks refer to the national nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold outside of the federal reimbursable school meal programs during the school day. These snacks must meet certain nutritionary guidelines in order to qualify.

A Guide to Smart Snacks in School is available on the USDA.Gov site.
USDA.Gov PDF version of A Guide to Smart Snacks in School.

• Sun Chips, Garden Salsa – .875 oz.
• Pepperidge Farm WG Goldfish – .75 oz.
• Nabisco Teddy Bear Graham Minis – 1 oz.
• Rold Gold Pretzels – .7 oz.
• Kellogg’s WG Rice Krispie Treats – 1.41 oz.
• Quaker Snack Kids Mix – .875 oz.
• Land O Lakes String Cheese, Light Low Moisture, Part skim – 1 oz.
• Water – 8 oz.
• 100% Apple Juice – 4 oz.
• Milk, Fat Free or 1% Low Fat White – 8 oz.
• Oven Bakes Scoops - .875 oz.
• Salsa Thick and Chunky
• Fruit Snacks
• Fruit Roll Ups
• Raisins (small box)
• Chex cinnamon cereal bowl
• Rice Krispie cereal bowl

This is not a full list. If you would like to see if your snack is a smart snack, please fill out the smart snacks calculator or reach out to foodserviceinformation@dasd.org with questions. 

Alliance for a Healthier Generation: Smart Snacks in School
Smart Snacks in Schools Product Calculator

When possible, foods/beverages for parties and celebrations shall be provided by the food service department to help prevent food safety and allergy concerns. Please refer to our allergen policy (Serious Allergies Policy No. 209.1)  

In addition, the following items are ALLERGY FRIENDLY and suggested for classroom parties. Always check the food labels. Labels and ingredients do change. These items may be purchased from an outside food vendor:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Skinny Pop Popcorn (snack size)
• Raisins (original only) (individual snack size packages)
• Applesauce (individual serving) – suggestions: Gogo Squeeze, Motts Natural and Musselman’s Natural
• Fruit Snacks (Welch’s original)
• Wegman’s Organic Fruit Twists
• Bare Fruit Crisps (Available at most grocery stores)
• Brother’s All Natural Fruit Crisps
• Chex cereals – Cinnamon, Corn, Rice, Vanilla (individual servings) 

Yes. In order to ensure that it meets all current nutritional, meal benefit and confidentiality guidelines for the National School Lunch Program, it is suggested that the pizza be provided by the district’s current food service provider. You may purchase pizza from an outside vendor, but it must meet all nutritionary guidelines. 

Yes, however approval is given by your building principal. 

Yes, as long as the items offered still follow the “Classroom Parties/Holiday Celebrations” section of the Wellness Policy, which states that such activities will also provide the following:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Water, 100% fruit juice, or milk
• Meet smart snacks guidelines  

You can offer popsicles as the only item if 100% fruit juice popsicles are provided  

School Wellness Policy (Wellness Policy No. 246)
A Guide to Smart Snacks in School is available on the USDA.Gov site.
USDA.Gov PDF version of A Guide to Smart Snacks in School.

This does not apply to the High Schools and approval is given by your building principal. It is encouraged to bring in healthier options like fresh fruits or vegetables, low sodium/fat products. 

No, food will not be used as a reward for classroom or school activities unless the reward is an activity that promotes a positive nutrition message (i.e. guest chef, field trip to a farm or farmers market, etc.). 

This does not apply to the High Schools and approval is given by your building principal. It is encouraged to bring in healthier options like fresh fruits or vegetables, low sodium/fat products. 

Yes, food used as part of the curriculum is not prohibited, but healthy options are encouraged.  However, principal approval is required for curriculum-based food activities  

Yes, food used as part of the curriculum is not prohibited. Principal approval is required. 

If the IEP or 504 Plan addresses food consumption during the school day we are obligated to comply with those needs.   

Approval is only needed from principals if smart snacks and guidelines are being followed. However, if smart snacks and guidelines are not being followed then district approval is needed as well as from your principal. From there an exemption must be used (Exemption FAQ section has more information).

Food cannot be sold in food service areas/cafeterias during mealtimes.  

The following standards apply to all foods sold in school for the period from the midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day:   Foods must:

• Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product; or
• Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or
• Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
• Follow smart snack guidelines 

Foods must also contain all of the following nutrient requirements:  

• ° Snack items: ≤ 200 calories

• Snack items: ≤ 200 mg  

• Total fat: ≤35% of calories
• Saturated fat: < 10% of calories
• Trans fat: zero grams  

• ≤ 35% of weight from total sugars in foods  

1. Log on to our ticketing system: Fresh Status
2. Either Login or Sign up
3. Select "Business Office"
4. Select "Student Food Related Fundraiser Request"
5. Fill out the form and submit.
6. Someone will get back to you.

A Guide to Smart Snacks in School is available on the USDA.Gov site.
USDA.Gov PDF version of A Guide to Smart Snacks in School.

Principal approval is needed. There are no restrictions, except for no food being sold in food service areas and healthy options are encouraged for the foods that are sold. 

All shared classroom snacks must adhere to the Smart Snacks nutritional guidelines. Food that doesn’t meet the Smart Snacks nutritional guidelines is permitted if it is part of the curriculum or when deemed needed as part of an IEP or 504 plan. Parents/Guardians shall be informed through newsletters or other efficient communication methods. 

A Guide to Smart Snacks in School is available on the USDA.Gov site.
USDA.Gov PDF version of A Guide to Smart Snacks in School.

If your party or fundraiser do not meet the nutritional requirements or happens during the school day, please fill out the Food Exemption form. Elementary and Middle schools get 5 fundraiser exemptions per building per school year. The High School is not included, and approval is up to the building principal. A fundraiser can last up to 5 consecutive days (1 school week) and still count as one exemption.  Please put in an exemption for review at least two weeks before the date of your fundraiser. 

1. Log on to our ticketing system: Fresh Status
2. Either Login or Sign up
3. Select "Business Office"
4. Select "Student Food Related Fundraiser Request"
5. Fill out the form and submit.
6. Someone will get back to you.

• Having a fundraiser and selling soft pretzels during lunch
• A bake sale that sells cupcakes and cookies throughout the school day.
• Selling Doritos (regular) and Cheetos (regular) for a fundraiser
• Selling pizza slices during the school day from a local pizza shop 

If you are not sure if the exemption applies to you, please reach out to our foodservice team: (foodserviceinformation@dasd.org)  

To request a Food Exemption from the Business Office:

1. Log on to our ticketing system: Fresh Status
2. Either Login or Sign up
3. Select "Business Office"
4. Select "Student Food Related Fundraiser Request"
5. Fill out the form and submit.
6. Someone will get back to you.

The Downingtown Area School District Student Wellness Policy, Nutrition Guidelines, and supplementary resources related to nutrition and physical activity will be available to school personnel and parents through the building principal and on the DASD website.  

Full Student Wellness policy: Student Wellness Policy No. 246