School Wellness
District Wellness Policy
The District Wellness Policy is a district-wide plan designed to support the health and wellbeing of students throughout the school day. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires schools and districts administering the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs to develop and implement a local school wellness policy.
In accordance with the District Wellness Policy, the district shall publicize results of a Triennial Assessment and USDA Wellness Policy Comparison Model.
District Wellness Council
The APS District Wellness Council meets two times during the school year- September and February. If you are a parent, teacher, student, teacher, school health professional, school board member, school administrator, or community stakeholder who is interested in participating in the development, review, update, and implementation of the APS Wellness Policy and participating in the District Wellness Council, please contact us through Let's Talk.
Student Wellness Ambassador (SWA) Program
The SWA Program is a student leadership program that encourages peer mentoring and education in wellness by the promotion of healthy eating, regular physical fitness, and gardening activities via various advocacy communications such as morning announcements, newsletters, posters, etc. The SWA Program is not mandatory but is offered to all schools within the Atlanta Public Schools District.
Contact Linda Ankner, MS, RD, LD, Registered Dietician of Atlanta Public Schools, if you would like to schedule an SWA training session. Email: Linda.Ankner@apsk22.org
SWA Expectations:
- Keep passing grades
- Exercise teamwork
- Keep up a good disciplinary record
- Serve on their school’s wellness committee
- Encourage wellness on behalf of the school and Atlanta Public Schools and use their creativity to spread the word about wellness
- Assist in the implementation of the school’s Local School Wellness Plan by developing advocacy communications
- Attend the annual Student Wellness Expo
Fundraisers
Food fundraisers that occur on campus during the school day must meet Smart Snack nutritional guidelines. Schools may be granted a 3-day fundraiser exemption, which enables organizations to sell non-Smart Snack compliant items. Exemptions may occur up to 5 times in a school year for a total of 15 days per school. To apply for a fundraiser exemption, submit a completed Fundraiser Exemption form to your school principal. No food fundraisers can operate within 30 minutes of school meals or within 100 feet of school cafeterias, regardless of exemption.
Smart Snacks
All food sold on campus during the school day must meet the USDA Smart Snack nutrition guidelines. Check your school snacks with the Smart Snack Calculator.