Wellness Policy
I. Purpose and Goals
Purpose
Sturgis Charter Public School recognizes the symbiotic relationship between student well-being and student achievement, and is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect health, well-being, and the ability to learn. As an International Baccalaureate school, we adhere to tenets of the IB Learner Profile, including the commitment to balance: We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live. This includes supporting health and wellness education, as well as the district Wellness Committee, to promote healthy lifestyles among our community members.
In compliance with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Sturgis Charter Public School recognizes that student wellness is essential for success in both the classroom and the community. The USDA notes that decreased hunger and increased consumption of nutritious meals leads to better academic performance among students. To that end, Sturgis has developed a wellness policy in collaboration with students, administration, teachers, school health professionals, and parents to create a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn.
Compliance with the Sturgis Wellness Policy will be monitored by the Operations Administrator, in collaboration with the Wellness Committee. The Operations Administrator will also ensure adequate preparation for the Administrative Review.
Goals
- Introduce a school breakfast program via NSLP
- Make efforts to eliminate any social stigma associated with free/reduced school meals by providing breakfast and lunch free for all
- Continue to emphasize students’ social/emotional growth
II. Standards for all foods and beverages provided
Free Breakfast for All (by 2026-27 school year)
Sturgis aims to provide breakfast each day through the USDA School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program. We intend to enter into an agreement with a vendor that operates in full compliance with the USDA’s regulations. Free and easily accessible drinking water will continue to be available to students at water fountains throughout our campuses, in accordance with federal regulations. We will continue to ensure that all students have a 55 minute lunch break each day.
All staff that assist with our breakfast programs shall receive annual training appropriate for their respective roles and consistent with current USDA Professional Standards.
While no monetary transactions will take place during breakfast or lunch, we will, however, continue to track participation of students eligible for free and reduced lunch for reporting purposes, ensuring to do so in a way that maintains strict confidentiality.
Promoting Meal Participation
We will utilize the screens in the atrium and hallway, as well as weekly advisories, to promote the lunch program and encourage healthy eating habits.
III. Standards for all foods and beverages sold
Sturgis does not currently have vending machines on either campus, and has no plans to acquire them in the future. Marketing will only be allowed for foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. Food will not be withheld for any reason, such as performance, attendance, or behavior.
IV. Wellness Leadership
The Wellness Committee
The Wellness Committee is composed of key members of the school community including school nurses, parents, students, wellness teachers, science teachers, a member of the school counseling department, and a member of the administration team. The committee’s mission is to promote social, physical, and emotional health and wellness in the school community by providing health promotion education and activities.
The committee meets four times a year, and virtual attendance opportunities will be provided to encourage participation. The committee will provide annual updates to the Executive Director and Board of Trustees, including any policy changes or updated goals.
Health and Wellness Education
Health and Wellness classes are offered once per rotation for students in grades 9-12, amounting to one class every seven school days. The classes incorporate full body wellness. Students engage in activities such as yoga, practice relaxation techniques, or take walks to the harbor or town green where they can meditate or play volleyball, football, soccer, basketball or whiffle ball. Our Health and Wellness classes also emphasize social and emotional learning, with opportunities to develop and practice these soft skills built into class time.
V. Triennial Assessments
Every three years, the Sturgis Wellness Committee will conduct a review to ensure that we are in compliance with our Wellness Policy, that our policy is aligned with other model policies, and note progress made in attaining our stated goals. The Committee will make use of the state provided resources, such as WellSAT, to ensure our policy is robust and meets the standards. The Committee will share these findings and any updates to the policy with the Board and the school community via the weekly newsletter. The Committee will keep a record of the recent assessment, including who was involved in the process, and how stakeholders were notified of the opportunity to participate.
VI. Updates to Policy
The Wellness Policy will be available on the Sturgis website, and shared with families and staff as part of the August mailing. A Wellness Committee meeting schedule will be made available to the public on the website, as well as access to the meeting minutes. Plans for updating the policy, especially following triennial assessments, will be messaged out to the Sturgis community, so that stakeholders are made aware of the opportunity to participate.
Updated March 2026