School  Wellness

December 2018:  We are so pleased to have taken the pledge to do our best to embrace Blue Zones Project pillars and strategies for Living Longer Better!  We thank our teachers, admin and staff, our Mala'ai School Garden partners, our families and community for encouraging and supporting us! Special thanks to Carol Ignacio and Megan Yarberry for your help and encouragement.

News Story - West Hawaii Today Dec. 3, 2018:  http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/12/03/north-hawaii-news/wes-earns-blue-zones-worksite-certification-wms-school-certification/

Since the above occurred, the entire Island of Hawai'i earned Blue Zones Certification - the first County in America to do so!  

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YOU ARE IMPORTANT - HELP IS AVAILABLE!

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). You can also go to: https://www.speakingofsuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. Or: Text 741741. There is help and it will get better.

SHARED VALUES 

It is the responsibility of Waimea Middle School to address the academic, physical, mental, emotional and social well-being of our entire learning community. We recognize that when wellness needs are met, we attain higher levels of achievement. We also believe that there is a link between nutrition education, the food consumed in our school, and physical, social, cultural and environmental education. We believe that wellness is affected by all of these. Whenever possible, we will provide nutritious, fresh, locally grown food that reflects Hawai'i’s cultural diversity.

TOBACCO & VAPING FREE SCHOOL

In compliance with Hawai’i Revised Statues, smoking and other use of tobacco and vaping products shall be prohibited at all times at Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School, including the following: 

(1) On public school campuses, school vehicles, and off-campus sites under the operational control of the principal or designee, except as part of a bona-fide classroom instruction or theatrical production approved by the principal; and

(2) In all buildings and facilities, or portions thereof, which are assigned to the district and state offices of the department of education, and which are under the supervision of the district superintendent, assistant superintendents, the superintendent of education, or their designees.

(b) The above prohibitions shall apply to all persons, including the following:

(1) Students enrolled in community schools for adults, school employees, authorized school visitors and guests;

(2) Persons participating in or attending a non-school activity or event conducted on the school campus when school is not in session; and

(3) Employees, visitors, and guests of district and state offices. 

PEANUT FREE SCHOOL

WMS is a PEANUT FREE SCHOOL. Students and/or staff may have severe allergic reactions to peanuts and/or peanut substances. Please refrain from having any type of peanut foods on campus.

ANNUAL FLU SHOTS: 

The State of Hawai’i Department of Health has, in recent years, provided free flu vaccinations or a comparable nasal spray for all public school students. Written family permission is required and forms with complete information are sent home early in the school year. This is optional but may help protect students from illness and prevent or minimize absences. If you have questions, please call the school health aide, 808-313-7503.    

FAMILY EMERGENCY MEDICATION PERMISSION FORMS 

If a child needs to have any prescribed medication on them or stored in the office, families must complete the documents linked here.  The parent/ guardian and a physician will need to complete the forms to be faxed or turned in to the office.  Questions?  Please contact the school health aide.  Click here for Parental Permission form for Student to Self-Administer Emergency Meds and form Requesting Storage of Emergency Backup Meds. 

SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY:

Click on this link to the WMS Wellness Policy or please scroll down to the PDF below and click on the link to download.

OUTSIDE FOODS AND BEVERAGES

Families are encouraged to support student readiness to learn and their overall well-being by providing their children with a healthy breakfast and by ensuring that any foods brought onto campus meet or exceed current USDA Dietary Guidelines. This includes foods and beverages sent to school for birthdays and other celebrations. In addition, families are asked to help the school by encouraging their children to bring only healthy food and drink to school. Beverages containing sugar as a first ingredient and caffeine, guarana or taurine are not permitted. Please do not send your child to school with any type of energy drink.

NUTRITION GUIDELINES FOR ALL FOOD ON CAMPUS:

All reimbursable meals and snacks shall meet or exceed Federal nutrient standards as required by the USDA Child Nutrition Program regulations.

• All foods and beverages sold at school to students must meet or exceed current USDA Dietary Guidelines (including vending and ala carte items).

• Nutrition information for products offered in snack bars, ala carte, vending, etc. is readily available near the point of purchase.

• Food/beverage providers must promote positive nutritional logos and trademarks on school grounds.

• Meals feature fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables from local sources to the greatest extent possible.

The following items are not sold anywhere on school property:

• Foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) as defined by USDA regulations;

• All food and beverage items listing sugar, in any form, as the first ingredient, such as candy.

• Foods containing trans fats.

All snack and beverage items sold or served anywhere on school property, including items sold in Ala carte lines and fundraisers, provided in classrooms, or served in the reimbursable After School Snack Program, must meet or exceed the following standards:

1.  Based on manufacturer’s nutritional data or nutrient facts labels:

• No more than eight (8) grams of total fat per serving, with the exception of nuts and seeds.

• No more than two (2) grams of saturated fat per serving.

2.  All beverages do not exceed twelve (12) ounces, with the following exceptions:

• Water

• Milk containing one percent or less fat.

3.  Products containing 2% milk fat or more do not exceed eight ounces.

4.  Limit sugar