Local Wellness Policy:

Date Created: May 25, 2016
Last Updated: August 14, 2025

Stakeholder Involvement

Parents, students, staff, and other community members are invited to participate in the development, review, update, or implementation of this wellness policy.
If you are interested in being involved, please contact the school office for more information.

I. Wellness Policy Goals

1. Nutrition Promotion

Phoenix Hebrew Academy promotes healthy eating by:

Displaying nutrition and wellness information in the lunchroom and throughout the school.
Hosting events to encourage healthy eating and physical activity, such as kickoff events or wellness challenges.

2. Nutrition Education

Nutrition education is provided to all Pre-K through 8th grade students and staff, teaching the knowledge, skills, and values needed to adopt lifelong healthy eating habits.
Information is shared throughout the campus, including classrooms and dining areas.
Staff providing nutrition education receive appropriate training.

3. Physical Activity

The school provides physical education opportunities that include the components of a quality PE program.
Students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary for lifelong physical activity.

4. Other School-Based Wellness Activities

The school hosts events promoting healthy eating and physical activity.
Families receive periodic information about healthy choices.
Foods that interfere with scheduled breakfast or lunch periods will not be served during those times.

II. Nutrition Standards

A. School Meals

Phoenix Hebrew Academy participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to:

Improve student diet and health.
Support lifelong healthy eating habits.
Accommodate cultural food preferences and special dietary needs.

Standards:

All meals meet or exceed USDA New Meal Pattern requirements.
Free, potable water is available to all students during meal periods.
Classroom parties or celebrations will not occur within one hour of breakfast or lunch.
Foods sold or served during school hours must meet Smart Snack standards.

B. Competitive Foods and Beverages

All competitive foods and beverages sold on campus during the school day must meet USDA Smart Snacks in Schools guidelines.
This includes all locations and all times during school hours.

Additional Criteria:

All foods and beverages sold to students on campus must align with Smart Snack standards.

C. Celebrations and Rewards

Under Arizona Law (A.R.S. §15-242), all food and beverages served to students in grades K–8 must meet the USDA’s Smart Snack guidelines.

Standards:

The Arizona Nutrition Standards and USDA Smart Snacks apply to all food and beverages sold or provided on campus during the school day.
These standards help reduce obesity risks and promote health so children can thrive academically.

Applies To:
☑ School-sponsored events
☑ Classroom rewards and incentives

Exception:
School-wide holiday celebrations may include food items outside Smart Snack restrictions, as long as they comply with the school handbook and do not interfere with meal service times.

D. Fundraising

All food or beverage fundraisers conducted during the school day must meet Smart Snack guidelines.
No exemptions or exceptions are currently in effect.

E. Food and Beverage Marketing

All food and beverage marketing on campus must promote products that meet Smart Snack nutritional guidelines.

Policies:

No marketing of foods or beverages that fail to meet Smart Snack standards.
No additional commercial food or beverage marketing is permitted on campus.

III. School Wellness Committee

A. Role and Membership

Phoenix Hebrew Academy will convene a Wellness Committee to establish goals, oversee implementation, and review this policy.

Meeting Frequency: At least once per year or as needed.
Membership: Open to all individuals affiliated with the school, including parents, students, staff, and community members.
Public Notification: An email invitation will be sent to all affiliated individuals before each meeting.

B. Leadership

Oversight of Implementation: Rachele Gondos or Vanessa McGann
Convening the Committee: Rachele Gondos or Vanessa McGann
Public Notification of Policy Updates: Rachele Gondos or Vanessa McGann

IV. Implementation, Monitoring, and Community Engagement

A. Implementation Plan

The school will implement and enforce this policy through administrative oversight and periodic meetings to address any concerns or improvements.

B. Triennial Progress Assessments

Every three years, Phoenix Hebrew Academy will:

Evaluate compliance with the wellness policy.
Measure progress toward achieving policy goals.
Compare the policy to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s model wellness policy.

Assessment Process:

Regular meetings will be held to ensure goals are met.
Compliance will be monitored through internal reviews.
The school will communicate with the Arizona Department of Education to ensure alignment with model policies.

C. Policy Revisions and Updates

The wellness policy will be reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect changes in requirements, practices, or community feedback.

D. Public Notification

Phoenix Hebrew Academy will inform families and the public annually of:

Any updates to the wellness policy.
Progress toward achieving wellness goals.
Results of the triennial assessment.

Availability:

A copy of this policy is available in the school’s front office.
The full policy and updates are posted online at: phoenixhebrewacademy.org
Triennial assessments will also be published on the school’s website.

✅ Approved by: Phoenix Hebrew Academy Administration
✅ Next Review Date: August 2026

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Phoenix Hebrew Academy Local Wellness Policy

Date Created: May 25, 2016
Last Updated: August 14, 2025

Stakeholder Involvement

Parents, students, staff, and community members are invited to participate in the development, review, update, or implementation of this wellness policy.
If you are interested in being involved, please contact the school office for more information.

I. Wellness Policy Goals

1. Nutrition Promotion

Phoenix Hebrew Academy promotes healthy eating by:

Displaying nutrition and wellness information in the lunchroom and throughout the school.
Hosting events to encourage healthy eating and physical activity, such as kickoff events or wellness challenges.

2. Nutrition Education

Nutrition education is provided to all Pre-K through 8th grade students and staff, teaching the knowledge, skills, and values needed to adopt lifelong healthy eating habits.
Information is shared throughout the campus, including classrooms and dining areas.
Staff providing nutrition education receive appropriate training.

3. Physical Activity

The school provides physical education opportunities that include the components of a quality PE program.
Students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary for lifelong physical activity.

4. Other School-Based Wellness Activities

The school hosts events promoting healthy eating and physical activity.
Families receive periodic information about healthy choices.
Foods that interfere with scheduled breakfast or lunch periods will not be served during those times.

II. Nutrition Standards

A. School Meals

Phoenix Hebrew Academy participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to:

Improve student diet and health.
Support lifelong healthy eating habits.
Accommodate cultural food preferences and special dietary needs.

Standards:

All meals meet or exceed USDA New Meal Pattern requirements.
Free, potable water is available to all students during meal periods.
Classroom parties or celebrations will not occur within one hour of breakfast or lunch.
Foods sold or served during school hours must meet Smart Snack standards.

B. Competitive Foods and Beverages

All competitive foods and beverages sold on campus during the school day must meet USDA Smart Snacks in Schools guidelines.
This includes all locations and all times during school hours.

Additional Criteria:

All foods and beverages sold to students on campus must align with Smart Snack standards.

C. Celebrations and Rewards

Under Arizona Law (A.R.S. §15-242), all food and beverages served to students in grades K–8 must meet the USDA’s Smart Snack guidelines.

Standards:

The Arizona Nutrition Standards and USDA Smart Snacks apply to all food and beverages sold or provided on campus during the school day.
These standards help reduce obesity risks and promote health so children can thrive academically.

Applies To:
☑ School-sponsored events
☑ Classroom rewards and incentives

Exception:
School-wide holiday celebrations may include food items outside Smart Snack restrictions, as long as they comply with the school handbook and do not interfere with meal service times.

D. Fundraising

All food or beverage fundraisers conducted during the school day must meet Smart Snack guidelines.
No exemptions or exceptions are currently in effect.

E. Food and Beverage Marketing

All food and beverage marketing on campus must promote products that meet Smart Snack nutritional guidelines.

Policies:

No marketing of foods or beverages that fail to meet Smart Snack standards.
No additional commercial food or beverage marketing is permitted on campus.

III. School Wellness Committee

A. Role and Membership

Phoenix Hebrew Academy will convene a Wellness Committee to establish goals, oversee implementation, and review this policy.

Meeting Frequency: At least once per year or as needed.
Membership: Open to all individuals affiliated with the school, including parents, students, staff, and community members.
Public Notification: An email invitation will be sent to all affiliated individuals before each meeting.

B. Leadership

Oversight of Implementation: Rachele Gondos or Vanessa McGann
Convening the Committee: Rachele Gondos or Vanessa McGann
Public Notification of Policy Updates: Rachele Gondos or Vanessa McGann

IV. Implementation, Monitoring, and Community Engagement

A. Implementation Plan

The school will implement and enforce this policy through administrative oversight and periodic meetings to address any concerns or improvements.

B. Triennial Progress Assessments

Every three years, Phoenix Hebrew Academy will:

Evaluate compliance with the wellness policy.
Measure progress toward achieving policy goals.
Compare the policy to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s model wellness policy.

Assessment Process:

Regular meetings will be held to ensure goals are met.
Compliance will be monitored through internal reviews.
The school will communicate with the Arizona Department of Education to ensure alignment with model policies.

C. Policy Revisions and Updates

The wellness policy will be reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect changes in requirements, practices, or community feedback.

D. Public Notification

Phoenix Hebrew Academy will inform families and the public annually of:

Any updates to the wellness policy.
Progress toward achieving wellness goals.
Results of the triennial assessment.

Availability:

A copy of this policy is available in the school’s front office.
The full policy and updates are posted online at: phoenixhebrewacademy.com
Triennial assessments will also be published on the school’s website.