Wellness Policy

Crossnore acknowledges that student wellness is an integral part of its Philosophy of Care, and as such, is committed to ensuring that its students learn, establish, and maintain lifelong healthy eating and activity behaviors. Through its Wellness Policy and related programs, Crossnore resolves to fight childhood obesity and the risks of chronic disease as well as promote students’ overall health, behavior, and academic achievement. Our commitments to providing nutrition education and regular physical activity, as well as access to nutritious foods for all students, are outlined here.

In all aspects of wellness, Crossnore staff shall serve as role models for good nutrition and physical activity behaviors. Students shall receive consistent wellness messages throughout the Crossnore environment, including the classrooms at Williams Academy, Belk Dining Hall, Cottages, and Crossnore media.

This policy outlines the approach of Crossnore – both through Marjorie Williams Academy and through residential services – to encourage children and staff to practice healthy eating and to lead a physically active lifestyle.

Crossnore’s Wellness Committee will represent all school levels (elementary and secondary schools) and all organization personnel, and include (to the extent possible), but not be limited to: parents and caregivers; students; representatives of the school nutrition program; physical/health education teachers; health services staff; mental health and social services staff; school administrators; school board members; health professionals; and the general public. To the extent possible, the School Wellness Committee will reflect the diversity of the community.

This Committee will develop and maintain a plan for implementation to manage and coordinate the execution of this Wellness Policy. The plan will delineate roles, responsibilities, actions and timelines; and includes information about who will be responsible to make what change, by how much, where and when; as well as specific goals and objectives for nutrition standards for all foods and beverages available on the school campus, food and beverage marketing, nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, physical education and other school-based activities that promote student wellness.

Crossnore will continue relationships with community partners in support of this Wellness Policy’s implementation. Existing and new community partnerships and sponsorships will be evaluated to ensure they are consistent with the Wellness Policy and its goals.

The Wellness Committee is led by representatives from the medical and recreation departments. Additional members include representatives from the dietary and HR departments, programs, and academy. The Wellness Team includes the Wellness Committee as well as Cottage Parents, community parents, and students. With the belief that modeling sound wellness practices is the responsibility of all staff at Crossnore, meetings shall be open to all staff and to the public.

The Board of Trustees of Crossnore Communities for Children adopted this policy on August 27, 2021

The entire seventeen (17) page policy can be downloaded by clicking HERE.