Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy Wellness Policy
The wellness committee recognizes the importance for cadets to
maintain their physical health and receive proper nutrition in order to take advantage
of educational opportunities. The committee also recognizes that cadet wellness
and proper nutrition are related to a cadet’s physical well-being, growth,
development, and readiness to learn. The wellness committee is committed to
providing a school environment that promotes cadet wellness, proper nutrition,
nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total
learning experience.
WELLNESS LEADERSHIP
As part of the commitment, the committee directs the
director and the state director to oversee development, implementation, and
ongoing evaluation of the policy. To be in compliance with the expanded local
school wellness policy requirements consistent with the requirements set forth
in section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010 as prescribed in 7
CFR 210, below – The director or state director may designate an employee of
Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy to carry out this responsibility (“lead wellness
official.”).
The director or the designated official will provide a copy
of this policy to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction each time
it is revised by the committee upon request.
WELLNESS COMMITTEE
The committee will maintain a health advisory personnel to
help plan, review, update, implement and monitor this policy as well as address
other health and nutrition issues. The committee also takes into account the cadet’s
health issues and works with the lead wellness official as an advisory
committee to have oversight of the policy as well as promote the cadets and employees’
health and wellness with state and federal requirements. The
committee may take policy recommendations to the policy meetings concerning cadets’
wellness and policy recommendations. The lead wellness official shall periodically
review and suggest revisions to this policy.
The committee will be composed of the director, the deputy
director, lead wellness official, the school food authority administrator, the physical
fitness instructor, the school nurse, cadet from each team, community members, and
counselors. The committee will provide information that will contribute to a
safe environment: Physical education, health education, staff wellness, health
services, mental and emotional health, nutrition services, and family/community
involvement.
In addition, the committee will assist the lead wellness
official in creating annual report that includes the minutes of the meetings,
as well as, the minutes of physical activity and the minutes of physical
education that the cadets are receiving in the period of time that they are on
grounds.
NUTRITION
PROMOTION AND EDUCATION
The committee believes in promoting cadets’ health and
nutrition that enhances readiness as part of the total learning
experience. The goals of nutrition education and promotion are (1)
to provide appropriate instruction for the acquisition of behaviors that
contribute to a healthy lifestyle for cadets and (2) to teach, encourage and
support healthy eating by cadets. Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy cadets must complete a basic
life skills course which includes leadership/followership, service to
community, job skills, educational excellence, responsible citizenship, life
coping skills, health, Reproductive Health and Safety Education and nutrition,
and physical fitness, these are the eight (8) core components the cadets must
pass.
Promoting nutrition education should go beyond the boundaries of the school environment by engaging and involving families andcommunities. Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy staff may coordinate with agencies and community organizations to provide opportunities for appropriate cadets’ projects related to nutrition. Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy staff is to disseminate and promote consistent nutrition messages throughout Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy.
The committee establishes the following additional specific evidence-based goals and strategies for nutrition promotion and education. The lead
wellness official will report the progress of meeting these goals to the committee:
- School menus will be provided to staff and
posted in the dining facility. - Cadets will have opportunities at the policy
meeting to give feedback on foods served, as well as discuss with their teams
to provide feedback. Cadets are served foods that are low in saturated fats and
trans fats, sodium and added sugar. - Academy staff
members will strive to provide a pleasant eating experience by maintaining and
holding to the following practices, (a) cadet input on the meals served. (b) adequate
time to eat their meal. (c) adult supervision to ensure that no instances occur
and if they do they can disengage them properly.
NUTRITION STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
FOR ALL FOOD AND BEVERAGES AVAILABLE AT THE ACADEMY
Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages available to cadets on the
school campus and during the school day support healthy eating. The foods and beverages sold and served
outside of the school meal programs (e.g., “competitive” foods and beverages) will meet the USDA Smart
Snacks in School nutrition standards, at a minimum. Smart Snacks aim to improve cadets’ health and well-being,
increase consumption of healthful foods during the school day and create an environment that reinforces the
development of healthy eating habits. All foods available during the school day that are offered to cadets, help
promote cadets’ health, reduce childhood obesity, provide a variety of nutritional meals and promote lifelong
healthy eating habits.
Foods provided through the National School Lunch, School Breakfast programs must comply with federal and
state nutrition standards. The dining facility manager will ensure that the Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy guidelines
for reimbursable meals are not less restrictive than the regulations and guidelines issued for the schools established
under the Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010.
The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (e.g., “competitive” foods and
beverages) will meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, at a minimum. Smart Snacks aim
to improve cadets’ health and well-being, increase consumption of healthful foods during the school day and
create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
- Goals for Physical Education
The goal of the physical education program is to promote a lifelong physical activity and provide the knowledge
to ensure cadets remain physically fit. Physical education also provides cadets with the knowledge that will address
obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type II diabetes.
- The Physical Education
Physical education is taught to our cadets by our basic life skills instructor
as well as the cadre and staff. Cadets and staff have the opportunity to
participate and engage in the Physical Training (PT) six days a week, as well
as participate in the Walk-a- thon.
- Physical Activity Goals and Recommendations
Cadre should strive to provide opportunities for the cadets to be active
and promote physical activity. The commandant shall ensure that all students
meet the requirements of 30 minutes of physical activity per day. The
commandant will periodically measure and report the progress to the committee
of meeting this goal.
OTHER ACADEMY BASED ACTIVITIES TO
PROMOTE WELLNESS
These activities are designed to promote
wellness:
- Academy provides a safe and clean meal
environment - Cadets are given adequate time to eat meals
- Drinking water will be available at all meal
times and throughout the day. - Foods will not be used in the Tarheel ChalleNGe
Academy as awards or punishments. - Academy staff will be encouraged to participate
and promote the cadets’ wellness. - Walk-a-thon and Physical Training (PT) are great
opportunities for the staff to promote and be role models to the cadets to
promote physical activity.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE MARKETING IN
SCHOOLS
It is the intent of the Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy to protect
and promote cadets’ health by permitting advertising and marketing for only
those foods and beverages that are permitted to be sold on the school campus,
consistent with the Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy Wellness Policy. Any foods and
beverages marketed or promoted to cadets on the Academy campus* during the
school day* will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition
standards. Beverages will not be accessible to any cadets so that we comply
with the state and federal standards.
FOOD PROVIDED BUT NOT SOLD (e.g., class parties, celebrations, class
snacks)
Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy encourages foods offered on the
Academy campus meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition
standards including those provided at celebrations, parties, and classroom
snacks brought by staff or family members.
IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW OF POLICY
The lead wellness official, in conjunction with the
committee, shall oversee the implementation of this policy and monitor the
program to ensure compliance. The lead wellness official is responsible for and
should report to the committee regarding compliance
and implementation status.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Annual Notification of Policy (Reporting)
Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy will inform families and the
public annually of this policy, including its content, any updates, and implementation
status. The Local Wellness Policy is available on the academy’s website.
The lead wellness official shall prepare the annual written
reports to the director and the deputy director that describes the academy’s
implementation status towards achieving the goals and standards established in
this policy.
TRIENNIAL ASSESSMENT
Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy will evaluate compliance with the
Wellness Policy no less than once every three years. The assessment will
include the extent to which Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy is in compliance with the
policy and how the policy compares to a model policy, as established by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The lead wellness official (appointed by the director) shall
report to the committee on the academy’s compliance with the laws and policies
related to the cadets’ wellness but not limited to the implementation of the
policy. At minimum, the deputy director/director or the lead wellness
official shall measure the report by:
- The Academy’s compliance with the wellness policy
- How the wellness
policy compares to model wellness policies? - How the wellness policy compares to model
policy, and
the process in attaining the goals of the wellness policy?
RECORDKEEPING
The director/deputy director will retain records to document
compliance with the requirements of the wellness policy. Documentation will
include but will not be limited to:
- A written copy of this policy and any updates;
- Documentation demonstrating compliance with all required
elements of this policy, including methods by which the wellness policy, annual
progress reports, and triennial assessments are made available to the public; - Documentation of the minutes recorded from the
committee meetings; - Documentation of annual policy progress reports,
and - Documentation of the triennial assessment.
Legal References: Child Nutrition
Act of 2004, 42 U.S.C 1751; Healthy, Hunger –Free Kids Act of 2010, P.L.
111-296, National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C.1751
Revised on: March 13, 2019
Adopted on: April 01, 2019
Policy Assessment: Tarheel ChalleNGe New London (8/2025)
District: Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy-New London
Congratulations! You have completed the WellSAT Policy Assessment. You can see your Policy scores for
each item below. Please note if you are missing any of the federal requirements in Section 1. Items with a
rating of “0” (item not addressed in the policy) or “1” (weak statement addressing the item) can be improved
by referring to the links at wellsat.org/resources.
Section 1. Federal Requirements
FR1 Includes goals for nutrition education that are designed to promote student wellness. 2
FR2 Assures compliance with USDA nutrition standards for reimbursable school meals. 2
FR3 District takes steps to protect the privacy of students who qualify for free
or reduced priced meals. 2
FR4 Free drinking water is available during meals. 2
FR5 Ensures annual training for food and nutrition services staff in
accordance with USDA Professional Standards. 2
FR6 Addresses compliance with USDA nutrition standards (Smart Snacks) for
all food and beverages sold to students during the school day. NA
FR7 Regulates food and beverages sold in a la carte. NA
FR8 Regulates food and beverages sold in vending machines. NA
FR9 Regulates food and beverages sold in school stores. NA
FR10 Addresses fundraising with food to be consumed during the school day. 2
FR11 Regulates food and beverages served at class parties and other school
celebrations in elementary schools. Use N/A if no elementary schools in district. NA
FR12 Restricts marketing on the school campus during the school day to only
those foods and beverages that meet Smart Snacks standards. NA
FR13 Addresses how all relevant groups will participate. 2
Policy Assessment: Tarheel ChalleNGe New London (8/2025)
District: Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy-New London
FR14 Identifies the officials responsible for compliance with all components of
the local wellness policy in each school. 1
FR15 Addresses making the wellness policy available to the public. 2
FR16 Addresses the assessment of district implementation of the local
wellness policy at least once every three years. 2
FR17 Addresses making triennial assessment results available to the public
and specifies what will be included. 2
FR18 Addresses a plan for updating policy based on results of the triennial assessment. 2
Section 2. Nutrition Environment and Services
NES1 Addresses access to the USDA School Breakfast Program. 2
NES2 Addresses how to handle feeding children with unpaid meal balances
without stigmatizing them. 2
NES3 Specifies how families are provided information about determining
eligibility for free/reduced price meals. NA
NES4 Specifies strategies to increase participation in school meal programs. 2
NES5 Specifies marketing to promote healthy food and beverage choices. 2
NES6 Addresses the amount of “seat time” students have to eat school meals. 2
NES7 Addresses purchasing local foods for the school meals program. 1
NES8 USDA Smart Snack standards are easily accessed in the policy. NA
NES9 Exemptions for infrequent school-sponsored fundraisers. NA
NES10 Addresses foods and beverages containing caffeine at the high school level. 2
Policy Assessment: Tarheel ChalleNGe New London (8/2025)
District: Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy-New London
NES11 Addresses nutrition standards for all foods and beverages SERVED to
students after the school day, including aftercare on school grounds,
clubs, and after-school programming. 0
NES12 Addresses nutrition standards for all foods and beverages SOLD to
students after the school day, including aftercare on school grounds,
clubs, and after-school programming. NA
NES13 Addresses food not being used as a reward. 2
NES14 Addresses availability of free drinking water throughout the school day. 2
Section 3. Nutrition Education
NE1 Nutrition education teaches skills that are behavior focused, interactive, and/or participatory. 2
NE2 All elementary school students receive sequential and comprehensive nutrition education. NA
NE3 All middle school students receive sequential and comprehensive nutrition education. NA
NE4 All high school students receive sequential and comprehensive nutrition education. 2
NE5 Nutrition education is integrated into other subjects beyond health education. 1
NE6 Links nutrition education with the food environment. 1
NE7 Nutrition education addresses agriculture and the food system. NA
Section 4. Physical Education and Physical Activity
PEPA1 There is a written physical education curriculum for grades K-12. NA
PEPA2 The written physical education curriculum for each grade is aligned with
national and/or state physical education standards. NA
Policy Assessment: Tarheel ChalleNGe New London (8/2025)
District: Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy-New London
PEPA3 Physical education promotes a physically active lifestyle. 1
PEPA4 Addresses time per week of physical education instruction for all
elementary school students. NA
PEPA5 Addresses time per week of physical education instruction for all middle
school students. NA
PEPA6 Addresses time per week of physical education instruction for all high
school students. 2
PEPA7 Addresses qualifications for physical education teachers for grades K-12. 1
PEPA8 Addresses providing physical education training for physical education teachers. 0
PEPA9 Addresses physical education exemption requirements for all students. NA
PEPA10 Addresses physical education substitution for all students. 0
PEPA11 Addresses family and community engagement in physical activity
opportunities at all schools. NA
PEPA12 Addresses before and after school physical activity for all students
including clubs, intramural, interscholastic opportunities. 1
PEPA13 Addresses recess for all elementary school students. NA
PEPA14 Addresses physical activity breaks during school. 2
PEPA15 Joint or shared-use agreements for physical activity participation at all schools. NA
PEPA16 District addresses active transport (Safe Routes to School) for all K-12
students who live within walkable/bikeable distance. NA
PEPA17 Addresses using physical activity as a reward. 2
PEPA18 Addresses physical activity not being used as a punishment. 2
Policy Assessment: Tarheel ChalleNGe New London (8/2025)
District: Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy-New London
PEPA19 Addresses physical activity not being withheld as a punishment. 2
Section 5. Employee Wellness
EW1 Addresses strategies to support employee wellness. 1
EW2 Encourages staff to model healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. 1
Section 6. Integration and Coordination
IC1 Addresses the establishment of an ongoing district wellness committee. 2
IC2 Addresses the establishment of an ongoing school building-level wellness committee. 2
Overall District Policy Score
Total Comprehensiveness District Score 95
Total Strength District Score 62