physical activity and fitness; responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others; and values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.

### Physical Activity during the School Day

The district recognizes that students are more attentive and ready to learn if provided with periodic breaks when they can be physically active or stretch. Schools will encourage teachers to:

- • Incorporate movement and kinesthetic learning approaches into “core” subject instruction when possible (e.g., science, math, language arts, social studies and others) and do their part to limit sedentary behavior during the school day.
- • Provide short (3-5-minute) physical activity breaks to students during and between classroom time. These physical activity breaks will complement, not substitute, for physical education class, recess, and class transition periods.

Physical Activity Before and After School Activity Before and After School The district offers opportunities for students to participate in physical activity either before and/or after the school day (or both) through a variety of methods (e.g., physical activity clubs, intramurals, sports, etc.).

### Recess

Each school will offer physically active daily recess opportunities that align with state and national recess recommendations and maintain safe and age-appropriate equipment to use during recess. Recess monitors or teachers will encourage students to be active. Recess will complement, not substitute for, physical education class. Physical activity during the school day (including but not limited to recess, brain boosters/energizers, or physical education) will not be used or withheld as punishment for any reason.

If recess is offered before lunch, schools will have appropriate hand-washing facilities and/or hand-sanitizing mechanisms located just inside/outside the cafeteria to ensure proper hygiene prior to eating and students are required to use these mechanisms before eating. Hand-washing time, as well as time to put away coats/hats/gloves, will be built in to the recess transition period/timeframe before students enter the cafeteria. Family and Community Engagement The district will offer opportunities to promote family and community involvement in supporting and reinforcing physical education and physical activity in the schools. Schools should ensure:

- • Physical education activity ideas are sent home with students;
- • Families are invited to attend and participate in physical education activity programs and health fairs;
- • School staff are encouraged to cooperate with other agencies and community groups to provide opportunities for students to participate in physical activity programs.
- • Families are actively notified of opportunities and invited to participate in school-sponsored physical activities and receive information about health promotion efforts.

### Staff Wellness and Health Promotion

The district will offer, subject to available resources, opportunities that focus on staff wellness issues, and/or identify and disseminate wellness resources in coordination with human resources staff.

### Active Transport

The district will identify safe and active routes to and from school to promote alternative transport methods for children, such as walking and bicycle programs. The district will encourage this behavior by engaging and promoting activities such as:

- • Designation of safe or preferred routes to school;
- • Promotional activities such as participation in International Walk to School Week, National Walk and Bike to School Week;
- • Secure storage facilities for bicycles and helmets (e.g., shed, cage, fenced area);
- • Instruction on walking/bicycling safety provided to students;