La Academia

La Academia

Policies

La Academia School Policies


La Academia Student Wellness Policy Revised: February 16, 2019

Purpose

La Academia recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to students’ physical well-being, growth, development, and readiness to learn. The Board is committed to providing a school environment that promotes student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience. In a healthy school environment, students will learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student achievement.

Authority: P.L. 108-265 Sec. 204

To promote the health and well-being of all students, the Board establishes that the district shall provide to students:

a. A comprehensive nutrition program consistent with federal and state requirements.
b. Access at reasonable cost to foods and beverages that meet established nutritional guidelines.
c. Physical education courses and opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during

the school day.
d. Curriculum and programs for grades 6-12 that are designed to educate students about proper

nutrition and lifelong physical activity, in accordance with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and academic standards.

Delegation of Responsibility: Pol. 808

The Chief Academic Officer or designee shall be responsible to monitor schools, programs, and curriculum to promote compliance with this policy, related policies and established guidelines or administrative regulations.

The Chief Academic Officer or designee shall ensure the school complies with the components of the Student Wellness Policy and report to The Chief Academic Officer or designee regarding compliance.

Staff members responsible for programs related to student wellness shall report to the Chief Academic Officer or designee regarding the status of such programs.

La Academia shall post at least annually, on its publicly accessible website, the content of the Wellness Plan and assessment of its implementation.

The Chief Academic Officer or designee shall annually report to the Board on the school’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. The report may
include:

  1. Assessment of school environment regarding student wellness issues.

  2. Evaluation of food services program.

  3. Review of all foods and beverages sold in schools for compliance with established nutrition

    guidelines.

  4. Listing of activities and programs conducted to promote nutrition and physical activity.

  5. Recommendations for policy and/or program revisions.

  6. Suggestions for improvement in specific areas.

  7. Feedback received from school staff, students, parents/guardians, community members and

    Wellness Committee.

Guidelines Wellness Committee

The Board shall invite and permit the following stakeholders to participate in a Wellness Committee: School Board member; school administrator; school food service representative; PE/Wellness teacher; school nurse; student; parent/guardian; member of the public.

The Wellness Committee shall serve as an Advisory Committee regarding student health issues and shall be responsible for developing, implementing, and periodically reviewing and updating a Student wellness Policy that complies with law to recommend to the Board for adoption.

The Wellness Committee shall review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques in establishing goals for nutrition education and promotion, physical activity and other school-based activities that promote student wellness as part of the policy development and revision process.

The Chief Academic Officer or designee and the established Wellness Committee shall conduct an assessment at least once every three (3) years on the contents and implementation of this policy as part of a continuous improvement process to strengthen the policy and ensure implementation. This triennial assessment shall be made available to the public in an accessible and easily understood manner and include:

1. The extent to which La Academia is in compliance with law and policies related to school wellness.

2. The extent to which this policy compares to model wellness policies.

3. A description of the progress made by La Academia in attaining the goals of this policy.

At least once every three (3) years, La Academia shall update or modify this policy as needed, based on the results of the most recent triennial assessment and/or as school and community needs and priorities change; wellness goals are met; new health science, information and technologies emerge; and new federal or state guidance or standards are issued.

At 6/30/21 LAPCS received an extension until June 30, 2022 to complete your first triennial assessment of the local school wellness policy. Please reach out to Lissette Colon, lcolon@lapcs.org should you have any questions.

Nutrition Education and Nutrition Promotion

  1. The goal of nutrition education is to teach, encourage and support healthy eating by students. Promoting student health and nutrition enhances readiness for learning and increases student achievement.

  2. Nutrition education will be provided in accordance with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and the academic standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.

  3. Nutrition education shall provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthy lives.

  4. Nutrition education learning activities shall be age appropriate and behavior focused.

  5. School food service shall create a learning opportunity when appropriate.

  6. Nutrition education may be integrated into other subjects to complement but not replace

    academic standards based on nutrition education.

  7. Lifelong healthy behaviors shall be reinforced by linking nutrition education and physical activity.

  8. The staff shall be provided an opportunity to participate in nutrition education opportunities.

  9. School staff shall cooperate with agencies and community organizations to provide opportunities

    for appropriate student projects related to nutrition.

  10. Positive nutrition messages shall be disseminated throughout the school, classrooms, cafeteria,

    homes, community and media.

  11. Nutrition education opportunities shall extend beyond the school environment to engage and

    involve families and communities.

Physical Activity

  1. La Academia shall provide opportunities for students to participate in physical activity before, during and/or after the school day (e.g. recess, intramurals, interscholastic, and walking club).

  2. A physical and social environment that encourages a variety of safe activity for all students.

  3. Physical activity breaks shall be provided to prevent extended periods of student inactivity.

  4. District schools shall be encouraged to partner with parents/guardians and community members

    to support physical activity.

  5. Throughout the school day, physical education shall be promoted and applied in a positive

    manner.

Physical Education

  1. Quality physical education instruction that promotes lifelong physical activity and provides instruction in the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong participation shall be provided for all students.

  2. Physical education classes shall be the means through which all students learn, practice and are assessed on developmentally appropriate skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.

  3. A sequential physical education program consistent with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standards shall be developed and implemented.

  4. Appropriate professional development shall be provided for physical education staff.

e. Physical education classes shall have a teacher-student ratio comparable to those of other courses (scheduling).

Other School Based Activities

  1. La Academia shall provide adequate space for eating and serving school meals.

  2. Students shall be provided with a clean and safe meal environment.

  3. La Academia shall provide an opportunity for breakfast (e.g. grab and go).

  4. La Academia shall provide meal periods at appropriate hours.

  5. Drinking water shall be available at all meal periods and throughout the school day.

  6. Students shall have access and be encouraged to wash or sanitize hands before meals and

    snacks.

  7. Qualified nutrition professionals shall administer the school meals program.

  8. Professional development shall be provided for district nutrition staff.

  9. Nutrition content of school meals shall be available to students and parents/guardians.

  10. To the extent possible, La Academia shall utilize available funding and outside programs to

    enhance student wellness.

  11. La Academia shall provide professional development to all staff on the components of the

    Student Wellness Policy.

  12. Goals of the Student Wellness Policy shall be considered in planning all school-based activities.

  13. Administrators, teachers, food service personnel, students, parents/guardians, and community

    members shall be encouraged to serve as positive role models through school programs,

    communications and outreach efforts.

  14. La Academia shall support the efforts of parents/guardians to provide a healthy diet and daily

    physical activity for children by communicating relevant information through various methods.

Nutrition Guidelines

All foods available in La Academia during the school day shall be offered to students with consideration for promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity.

Foods provided through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs shall comply with federal nutrition standards.

Competitive foods are defined as foods offered at school other than through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs and include a la carte foods, snacks and beverages; vending food, snacks and beverages; schools store food, snacks and beverages; fundraisers; classroom parties; holiday celebrations; and food from home. The term “competitive foods” shall not include lunches provided to a student by his/her parent/guardian.

All competitive foods offered for sale to students at school must follow the USDA Smart Snacks in School Standards.

Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus during the school day shall meet or exceed the established federal nutrition standards (USDA Smart Snacks in School).

All non-sold competitive foods available to students in La Academia shall adhere to the following guidelines:

● Food shall not be used in the schools as a reward.

● Classroom Parties and Celebrations:
● Classroom parties shall offer a minimal amount of foods (maximum 2-3 items)

containing added sugar as the primary ingredient (e.g., cupcakes, cookies) and will provide the following:

  • Fresh fruits/vegetables; and

  • Water, 100 percent juice, 100 percent juice diluted with water, low-fat milk or

    nonfat milk.

When possible, foods/beverages for parties and celebrations shall be provided by the

food service department to help prevent food safety and allergy concerns.

Safe Routes to School

La Academia shall assess and, to the extent possible, implement improvements to make walking and biking to school safer and easier for students.

La Academia shall cooperate with local municipalities, public safety agency, police departments, and community organizations to develop and maintain safe routes to
school.

School administrators shall seek and utilize available federal, state, and local funding for safe routes to school, when appropriate.

References:

School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 1337.1, 1422, 1422.1
National School Lunch Program – 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1751 et seq. School Breakfast Program – 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1773
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 – P.L. 111-296

Wellness Policies 2019-2020


Immunization Policy

The Immunization Regulations for the 2017 -2018 school year have been revised to include additional immunizations. New immunizations include a 4th Polio vaccine for most scholars in all grades and a 2nd Meningococcal vaccine for scholars entering 12th grade.  The 7th grade Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines requirements remain the same but will be required at the start of the school year.

The provisional time period has been reduced from 8 months to 5 days. scholars who do not have all their immunizations current may be excluded from school after 5 days. scholars who need more than 1 dose of a vaccine will need to have a letter from their doctor stating the dates for future immunizations to be given. Parents will still be allowed to request a Religious/Moral Exemption for all immunizations. A Medical Exemption from a healthcare provider will still be accepted for any immunizations that are medically contraindicated.


Statement on Sexual Harassment and Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972

La Academia Partnership Charter School prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, found at 20 U.S.C. 1681, not to discriminate in such a manner. Sexual harassment constitutes discrimination on the basis of sex. La Academia Partnership Charter School also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, color, national origin, religion, creed, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Board of School Directors have established a grievance procedure for complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of sex. The U.S. Department of Education published federal regulations on May 6, 2020 that require the District to update multiple policies and handbooks and to train certain personnel on the updated policies.

This statement is being issued to document the District’s good faith effort at compliance with the new regulatory requirements in spite of the monumental operational and logistical burdens caused by the COVID-19 global health emergency. This statement also serves to provide members of the school community with information about how the District will respond to reports and complaints of sexual harassment. Despite the pandemic, the District remains committed to cultivating a school community free from discrimination on the basis of sex.

The current non-discrimination policies and any other policies related to the new regulatory requirements are under review for the purpose of incorporating the new regulatory requirements. The District’s policymaking process is compliant with Pennsylvania Law. In the interim, reports and complaints of sexual harassment will be addressed as described below.

For reports and complaints alleging sexual harassment occurring on or after August 14, 2020, the response process described in this document will apply. For all other complaints of discriminatory conduct, the published grievance procedure applies.

Making a Report or Complaint Alleging Sexual Harassment

The Title IX Coordinator is Jasson Read. The Title IX Coordinator can be contacted by email at jreadjean@lapcs.org or by phone at 717-295-7763. The Title IX Coordinator’s office is located at 30 North Ann Street, Lancaster, PA 17602.

Reports of sexual harassment can be made verbally (over the phone or in-person) or in writing (using email, by submitting a written statement, or by mailing a written statement). Anyone may report sexual harassment, including victims, by-standers, families, or members of the school community. The District recommends directing reports to the Title IX Coordinator. All school employees are required to promptly report suspected sexual harassment directly to the Title IX Coordinator.

The reporter’s identity will be kept confidential to the extent that the District can respond to the report in a way that is not deliberately indifferent while also maintaining that confidentiality. Retaliation is prohibited. Making false reports is prohibited. Discipline under applicable Board policies will be pursued for engaging in prohibited conduct.

Responding to a Report

The Title IX Coordinator will promptly contact the individual reported to have experienced sexual harassment (referred to as “the Complainant”). The Title IX Coordinator must offer supportive measures to a person alleged to have experienced sexual harassment to help restore or preserve that person’s equal access to education. The Title IX Coordinator will explain options and next steps to a Complainant.

Unless confidentiality impairs the District’s ability to implement supportive measures, the Complainant’s identity will be kept confidential.

Making a Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment

A formal complaint must be filed in order to seek a full investigation into alleged sexual harassment, to obtain remedies, or for the school to impose disciplinary or non-disciplinary sanctions when a person has been found responsible for violating this prohibition on sexual harassment.

An individual alleged to have experienced sexual harassment, or that person’s legal guardian, signs and files the formal complaint. The Title IX Coordinator must file a formal complaint of sexual harassment when the District’s response to the alleged conduct must include a full investigation and adjudication.

Except when an emergency situation arising from allegations of sexual harassment occurs and posing an immediate threat to physical health or safety occurs, discipline is prohibited until after a Title IX decision-maker finds an individual responsible for conduct that constitutes sexual harassment. Employees accused of sexual harassment may be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Response to a Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment

Unless prohibited by law, the District will respond to formal complaints of sexual harassment with an investigation and adjudication process that complies with the new Title IX regulations. While participation in the investigation and adjudication is strongly encouraged, no person will be forced to participate.

In the event that an individual seeks to file a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will provide written information describing the investigation and adjudication process. After the filing of a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will provide both parties with a written notice describing the investigation and adjudication process.

The written notice of the allegations will be provided to both the Complainant and the person who is alleged to have committed sexual harassment (referred to as “the Respondent”) simultaneously, but the Title IX Coordinator will provide enough time for the Respondent to prepare a response and secure an advisor before conducting an initial investigatory interview or directing an assigned investigator to conduct an initial investigatory interview.

Both the Complainant and Respondent are entitled to an advisor. The advisor may be, but is not required to be, an attorney.

Training

Materials used for training specified personnel on the implementation of the updated policy will be made available on the District’s website.

Questions related to this statement of nondiscrimination and interim conduct policy may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator or the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Parents who have an inquiry or complaint of harassment or discrimination, or who need information about accommodations for persons with disabilities, should contact Mrs. Amy Ferg, Chief Academic Officer (Principal) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), 30 North Ann Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, telephone (717)295-7763 or email at aferg@lapcs.org.