When students are healthy and fit in both mind and body, they are better prepared for achievement in the classroom. The Phoenix #1 Wellness Policy provides students with the tools they need to establish a healthy lifestyle, both at school and home. The Policy includes:

• Menus serving nutritional goals, as defined by the Arizona Nutrition Standards
• Nutrition education within health programs
• Opportunities for physical activity and exercise

Phoenix #1 has also proven a commitment to the social emotional wellness of our students and community. Our district employees full time social workers at each school site who are available to address social, emotional and mental health challenges.

Food and Nutrition

Our schools are on the national school lunch and breakfast programs. If you have questions about the program, please contact Child Nutrition.

To make sure that all food is handled and served safely at our schools, we have rules limiting the kinds of food that can be served in our classrooms. For students to enjoy a treat or snack in the classroom in honor of a special occasion, the food must be:

• From a commercial source with an approved Maricopa County Health permit. Some examples include supermarket bakeries, retail locations, and commercial restaurants.
• Served at the proper temperature and with a non-latex gloved hand or serving utensil, if unwrapped.
• Eaten within a reasonable amount of time and maintained at proper temperature.

Immunization

To keep our students safe and healthy, we comply with the Arizona Law that requires parents to supply documentary proof of immunity against certain childhood diseases.

Students must have proof of all required immunizations in order to attend school. Parental recall or verbal history of any disease is not accepted; therefore these students must submit an ADHS medical exemption form. Arizona law allows K-12 immunization exemptions for medical reasons, lab evidence of immunity, and personal beliefs.

What counts as proof of immunization?

Proof of immunization is written documentation that includes:

• the type of vaccine administered
• the month, day, and year of each immunization
• the name of the physician or health agency administering the vaccine or
• laboratory evidence of immunity.

What immunizations must my child have to attend school?

• diphtheria,
• tetanus,
• pertussis,
• poliomyelitis,
• rubeola (measles),
• mumps,
• rubella (German measles),
• hepatitis B,
• haemophilus influenzae b (Hib), and
• varicella

Homeless students and children in foster care are allowed a five (5)-day grace period to submit proof of immunization records (assuming that all other students have their immunization records submitted prior to attendance at school).

For further information and guidance, please review the Arizona Immunization Handbook for Schools and Child Care Programs along with Frequently Asked Questions by visiting Arizona Department of Health Services.

Medication

To protect our students, we have strict policies in place for the administration of medication at our schools. We do not administer medication at school without written permission from a parent or guardian.

Pre-Approved Over the Counter (OTC) Medications

Each year, we ask parents and legal guardians to complete and sign a “Health and Medical Form.” This card asks whether you give the school permission to administer a list of over the counter (OTC) medicines to your child, if needed.

Prescription and Other Medications

If your child requires administration of prescription medications or OTC medicines not listed on the Emergency Card, we recommend that parents administer the medicine at home.

However, we understand that some circumstances will require students to take prescribed medication during school hours. Under these circumstances, your school nurse and principal will work together with you and your family’s physician to administer the medicine safely and accurately at the school’s health office. If this is the case for your child, please contact your school’s nurse and principal for the next steps.

We do not permit students to carry medication on school grounds. However, there are exceptions if your child must carry medication. If your child needs to carry an inhaler, an epinephrine injector, or other medications during the school day, contact your school’s health office.

Social Emotional Support

School Social Workers & Counselors are mental health professionals with a Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling. All Phoenix #1 school social workers and counselors strive to create a positive impact on student achievement by supporting the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of each child. As well as, address barriers to learning, by honoring an individual’s strengths and worth.

Services provided include but are not limited to:

• Bullying prevention/ intervention, suicide prevention
• Peer relationship support, emotional wellness, and social skills support
• Family and Community engagement
• Individual and small group counseling as well as referrals to outside behavioral health services
• Social Emotional Learning, coaching, support and facilitation
• When available, the provision of basic needs such as clothing, school supplies, and food supplies.
• Referrals to community resources and assistance in locating appropriate help

**Social Emotional Learning curriculum is available for caregivers to review via the Coordinator of Social Work