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    Florida State Statute (FAC 5P-2.002) requires each school to establish a Healthy School Team (HST) to ensure schools are creating healthier environments with a cohesive wellness culture and remain in compliance with the Smart Snacks in School Standards.  Under the direction of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the School Food Service (SFS) Department is responsible for the oversight of HST. Per the Statute, the District’s Wellness Promotion Policy (2.035) and the School Food Service (SFS) Management Policy (6.185 Section 5) each school must:

    • Ensure that its Healthy School Team meets at least biannually to remain in compliance with USDA’s Smart Snacks in School Standards and Florida’s competitive food rule and to support the goals and objectives of the Wellness Promotion Policy.
    • Schedule the two required meeting dates and enter the dates to those meetings in the 2023-2024 Healthy School Team Meetings survey. After the meetings take place, retain meeting notes in the school’s files.
    • Complete the required Food Fundraising Tracking Form (FY24) prior to each food fundraiser held on campus with one entry form per date. This form is only required when food is sold to students on your campus during the school day. USDA has defined ‘school day’ as the period from midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day.
    • Maintain a school calendar identifying the dates when exempted competitive food fundraisers occurred.
    • Provide an approved copy of the Fundraising Application/Recap (PBSD 0153) to the school’s Healthy School Team Leader for each food fundraiser held on campus. This form must be completed by the activity sponsor.
    • Complete the required comprehensive Wellness Promotion Policy School Assessment. The Healthy School Team members may assist school administrators in completing this assessment when requested.

    The District has various departments working in concert to create a ‘Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child’ (WSCC) culture…a true symphony of services improving learning and health. Each of these departments funnel information directly to their school counterparts or representatives on each campus. When assembling your schools’ HST please keep in mind to incorporate members from each WSCC component so that there is a cohesive wellness culture established.

    The ten (10) Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) components are listed below with an example of members that fall under each component to facilitate your school when establishing your school’s HST:

    1. Physical Education & Physical Activity = PE Teacher, Athletic Coaches 
    2. Nutrition Environment & Services = SFS Cafeteria Manager 
    3. Counseling, Psychological & Social Services = School Counselor, Behavioral Health Professional (BHP), School Psychologist, etc. 
    4. Social & Emotional Climate = Skills for Learning & Life (SLL) Lead, Safe School Ambassador, Internal Coaches (ICs)/Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Lead, Single School Culture Coordinator, School Based Team Coordinator, ESE Representative, Athletic Coaches, Club/Activity Sponsors, etc. 
    5. Health Education = Health and/or Academic Teachers, School Counselor, Media Specialist 
    6. Health Services = School Nurse, 504 Designee, etc. 
    7. Employee Wellness = Wellness Champion (Staff) 
    8. Physical Environment = Green Champion, School Police, School Garden Liaison, School Custodian, School Administration, etc. 
    9. Family Engagement = ESOL Representative, Equity Representative, PTA/PTSA Representation, PTO/PTSO Representative, Title 1 Contact, School Administration and Faculty, etc. 
    10. Community Involvement = Non-for-Profit Organizations, Community Stakeholders, Students Clubs and Organizations, etc.

    Best wishes forming your HST and promoting the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model in your school campus.