Healthy Habits Guidelines

Everyone at Stevens Elementary Schools does their part to make the school environment an inviting and nurturing place for children to learn and teachers to teacher. The school staff have worked together to outline healthy habits guidelines for students. Learn more about them below.

Appropriate Dress

• Students should plan on going outside for recess when the temperature is above 15 degrees Fahrenheit (including wind chill), and the playground has been deemed safe.
• Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. If your child is not dressed appropriately (without boots and snowpants), they will have to stay on the approved paved areas.
• Hats and mittens are strongly encouraged. Please label everything with your child's first and last name.

Exercise Guidelines

For children, exercise means playing and being physically active. Kids exercise when they have gym class at school, soccer practice, dance class, etc. They're also exercising when they're at recess, riding bikes, or playing tag.

Studies show that children who are active will:

• Have stronger muscles and bones.
• Have leaner bodies because exercise helps control body fat.
• Be less likely to become overweight.
• Have a decreased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
• Possibly have lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels.
• Have a better outlook on life.

What is the recommended amount of exercise for school-age children?

According to the National Association for Sports and Physical Education (NASPE), school-age children should get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise every day.

Nutrition Guidelines

For all treats brought into the classroom (holidays, birthdays, etc.) please adhere to the classroom teacher's guidelines.

• Teachers can, when appropriate, have the option of using candy or other items for classroom related activities, on a limited basis, such as M&M math, graphing and sorting.
• For classroom rewards, teachers are encouraged to use alternatives including stickers, small toys or other items in place of candy.
• Staff members will make every effort to be positive role models for the health and wellness standards.
  
• Teachers will encourage students to wash their hands before handling food items.
• Classroom teachers will educate the children about health food choices as part of the BH-BL health curriculum. Information will also be shared at Back-to-School nights to encourage parents to make healthy choices for their children. However, final food choices are at each parent's discretion.

Guidelines for Visiting and Resident Animals

Animals are effective and valuable teaching aids, but safeguards are required to reduce the risk for infection, injury or allergic reactions. Therefore, animals will be permitted on a limited basis in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Permission must be granted by the principal prior to the entry of all animals.
• A certificate of veterinary inspection must be presented for all visiting animals.
• Teachers will provide advanced notification to the parents of their students when an animal will be present in the classroom (residing or visiting).
• Animals will not be permitted in areas where children with identified allergies are present. (Doctor’s verification must be supplied upon request.)
• Designate specific locations for animal contact.
• Supervise human-animal contact at all times.
• Wash hands after contact with animals, animal products, or their environment.
• Always handle and house animals humanely.
• Display animals in enclosed cages or under appropriate restraint, and do not allow animals to roam or fly freely.
• Clean and disinfect (adults only) all areas where animals have been present. This should be done only by adults, and before or after school when students are not present.
• Keep all resident animals clean and free of intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks, mites and lice.

Sleep Guidelines

• Good sleep is one of the most important things kids need to stay healthy. In fact, studies show that children who don't sleep enough -- or well enough -- can be inattentive, restless, irritable, and more likely to injure themselves.
• It is important for children to get a good night's sleep and feel rested in the morning. Otherwise, it is difficult for children to get the most out of school.
• How much sleep does your child need? According to Parenting.com, kids ages 5 and up, generally need 9 to 10 hours of sleep, with some children needing up to 12 hours.