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School WellSpots

Schools can make a major impact in the health of their students and staff. Our school WellSpot benchmarks are centered on having an established school wellness program that includes physical activity and nutrition components for both students and staff. By implementing small changes to improve the health environment of your school, you can help your employees thrive and ensure that your students have a healthy start to a healthy future.

To learn more about the benchmarks for School WellSpots and to get your school moving Well-Ahead, take the school assessment.

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School WellSpot Benchmarks

A school is defined as a learning institution that serves students grades K-12.All school WellSpots must be designated as tobacco-free locations, promote the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline, establish a wellness committee, and assess one module through the CDC's School Health Index (SHI) platform. In addition to these four wellness benchmarks, schools may meet additional benchmarks to achieve the desired level of designation.

Level Three	Level Two	Level One
Tobacco-free policy Promotion of the Quitline Build Support SHI: Take Assessment Two additional benchmarks of choice	Tobacco-free policy Tobacco Prevention Education SHI: Create Plan Four additional benchmarks of choice	Tobacco-free policy All benchmarks met

Benchmarks	Documentation/Verification
Comprehensive tobacco-free campus policy¹	Copy of student and employee policy RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Tobacco cessation coverage within employee health plans	Copy of health plan benefits or health plan promotional materials RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Promotion of the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline or another approved cessation service organization¹	Written description or pictures of ways in which the LA Tobacco Quitline or other service is promoted RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Tobacco Prevention Education for students	Copy of program content, lesson plans, presentations, or activity description RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Designation as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace or Champion¹	Well-Ahead LA will verify this benchmark is met with the Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition. RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Promotion of self-assessment tools for prediabetes and heart health among employees	Written description of pictures of ways in which the self-assessment tools are promoted RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation of an employee wellness program available to all teachers and staff that covers nutrition, physical activity, tobacco cessation and mental health.	Copy of employee assessment and copy of employee wellness work plan or calendar of events specific to school, including activity descriptions related to nutrition, physical activity, tobacco cessation and mental health RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Full implementation of USDA's Smart Snacks in school nutrition standards.¹	Copy of policy on competitive foods and list of food items available in all venues outside the cafeteria RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Build Support¹ Establish or reconvene a wellness committee at the school level that meets at least four times a year.	Copy of the recent meeting agenda(s), the roster showing representation from family members, community members, and school staff, and schedule of quarterly meetings to be held RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
School Health Index: Take Assessment^1,2 Utilize the School Health Index to assess current practices.	Copy of scorecard for at least one module from the CDC's School Health Index platform RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
School Health Index: Create Plan^1,² Utilize the School Health Index scorecard to create a plan for improvement.	Copy of the plan for improvement for the module used for the "Take Assessment" benchmark from the CDC's School health Index platform RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation of at least two physical activity-based practices 150 minutes of physical education per week^1,2 Students active at least 50% during physical education class² Certified physical education teachers² Classroom physical activity energizers² 20 minutes of recess provided each day^1,2 Before- and after-school physical activity opportunities are offered²	Copy of policies, lesson plans, and/or photos of ways in which two physical activity-based practices are implemented OR The CDC's School Health Index scorecard and plan for improvement for Module 3 may be used as documentation RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation of at least two nutrition-based practices. Food and beverages for sale to students during extended school day include healthy options^1,2 Strategies are utilized to maximize participation in the lunch and breakfast program² Collaboration between school nutrition staff and teachers² Farm to School activities are implemented² Marketing techniques are used to promote healthy choices² Healthy foods and beverages are included at celebrations/events and nonfood items are offered for rewards^1,2	Copy of policies, lesson plans, and/or photos of ways in which two nutrition-based practices are implemented OR The CDC's School Health Index scorecard and plan for improvement for Module 4 may be used as documentation RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation of at least two health services-based practices Implement a referral system² Health emergency response plans² School food allergy management plan² Identify and track students with chronic health conditions^1,2 Care coordination for students with chronic health conditions² Disease education for students with chronic health conditions²	Copy of policies, lesson plans, and/or photos of ways in which two health services-based practices are implemented OR The CDC's School Health Index scorecard and plan for improvement for Module 5 may be used as documentation RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
School Health Index: Keep It Up^1,2 Continue to assess current practices and create plans for improvement by completing 3 additional SHI modules, for a total of 4 assessments and plans for improvement.	Copy of scorecards and plans for improvement for at least 3 additional modules from the CDC's School Health Index platform RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Professional Development Ensure all staff receive annual training on best practices to support a healthy school.	Copy of agenda and attendance list, or certificate from CDC Healthy Schools best practices modules RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

¹These benchmarks meet or enhance Louisiana's laws impacting school health. The Louisiana State Legislature has laws around school health, including physical activity, physical education, nutrition, school health advisory councils, and more. You can do a complete search at http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/LawSearch.aspx

²The School Health Index (SHI) is an online self-assessment and planning tool for schools. The SHI is built on the CDC's research-based guidelines for school health programs that identify the policies and practices most likely to be effective in reducing youth health risks behaviors. The SHI aligns with the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.

School WellSpot Benchmarks

School WellSpots

School WellSpot Benchmarks

Level Three

Level Two

Level One

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