Policy Group
2000 Instruction
Jerome Joint School District No. 261
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION 2310
Nutrition Education
Quality nutrition education should be presented creatively and be grade appropriate builds knowledge and skills
throughout the child’s school experience. It addresses factual information and explores the health, social,
cultural, and personal issues influencing food choices. Nutrition and nutrition education are recognized as
important contributors to overall health.
Comprehensive nutrition education programs extend beyond the classroom into the larger school environment.
The school cafeteria serves as a laboratory where students apply critical thinking skills taught in the classroom.
Physical education programs, after-school sports, and school health services are appropriate avenues for
nutrition education efforts. Students need to explore how:
1. Knowledge has purpose and meaning in their lives; and
2. Curriculum points to the connections within and across disciplines.
Examples of how nutrition can be integrated into classes include discussing ethnic food practices in the context
of history and geography; preparation of healthy food in home economics, adult living, or life skills courses; the
study of essential nutrients in science and biology classes; applying mathematical and technological skills to
conduct dietary analysis; and addressing the wide range of social, cultural, and psychological aspects of food in
language and social studies classrooms.
The District has a comprehensive curriculum approach to nutrition in kindergarten through grade 12. All
instructional staff are encouraged to integrate nutritional themes into daily lessons when appropriate. The
health benefits of good nutrition should be emphasized. These nutritional themes include but are not limited to:
1. Knowledge of My Plate;
2. Healthy choices to decrease illness;
3. Sources and variety of foods;
4. Guide to a healthy diet;
5. Diet and disease;
6. Understanding calories and food as energy;
7. Healthy snacks;
8. Healthy breakfast;
9. Healthy diet;
10. Food labels;
11. Major nutrients;
12. Multicultural influences;
13. Serving sizes by age, sex, and activity level;
14. Proper sanitation;
15. Importance of fluid intake and selection; and
16. Identifying and limiting low nutrition food.
The District nutrition policy reinforces nutrition education to help students practice these themes in a supportive
school environment.
All nutrition education will be scientifically based, consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for
Americans.
Nutrition education will be offered in the school cafeteria as well as in the classroom, with coordination between
school food service staff and teachers. Teachers can display posters, videos, websites, etc. on nutrition topics and
send materials home to involve parents.
Participation in USDA nutrition programs is encouraged as the District conducts nutrition education activities and
promotions that involve students, parents, and the community. The District nutrition team will be responsible for
these activities.
School Community
For a truly comprehensive approach to the school-based nutrition programs and services, it is crucial that all
members of the school community help to create an environment that supports healthy eating practices.
Administrators, teachers, school food service and other personnel; parents; and students need to be involved in
this effort. Decisions made in all school programming need to reflect and encourage positive nutrition messages
and healthy food choices. This includes coordination of nutrition education with the cafeteria and the promotion
of healthy food choices in the cafeteria and all school events, such as fundraisers.
Schools should encourage parents to pack healthy lunches and snacks and to refrain from including beverages and foods that do not meet the District’s nutrition standards for individual foods and beverages. Schools will also
encourage the use of foods that comply with Smart Snacks in Schools standards for any school celebrations
involving food. The District will provide parents a list of foods that meet the District’s snack standards and ideas for
healthy celebrations/parties, rewards, and fundraising activities.
Cross Reference: 2305 Nutrition Services
2310 Nutrition Education
2315 Physical Activity Opportunities and Education
4180 Community Involvement in Student Nutrition and Exercise
7310 Advertising in Schools/Revenue Enhancements
8200 Local School Wellness
8210 District Nutrition Committee
8230 District Nutrition Standards
8235 Water Consumption/Water Bottle Policy
8240 School Meals
8250 Guidelines for Food and Beverages Sales
Legal Reference:
42 U.S. Code § 1758b Section 204 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
7 C.F.R. § 210.11 Competitive Food Service and Standards
7 C.F.R. § 210.12 Student, Parent, and Community Involvement
7 C.F.R. § 210.31 Local School Wellness Policy
I.C. § 33-512 District Trustees – Governance of Schools
Other References: Smart Snacks in School Regulations by the United States Department of Agriculture
Policy History:
Adopted on: 02/28/2017
Revised on: 03/15/2022
Revised on: 10/25/2022