The Great Neck Public Schools Board of Education adopted a Policy on Wellness at the board's May 8 public action meeting. This new policy proposal was proposed on March 27 and submitted for a second hearing on April 10. Basically, this policy is in compliance with public law.

The new Policy on Wellness was developed by a sub-committee of the school district's UPTC Health Committee. The committee included administrators, faculty, parents, and school district medical professionals. "The committee had wide representation from the school district," said Board of Education Trustee Barbara Berkowitz, chair of the board's policy committee.

The proposed policy reads as follows: "The board of education is committed to providing a school environment that enhances the learning and development of lifelong wellness practices. Therefore, as part of an ongoing effort to create a healthful school environment, it is the policy of the school district that: the food and nutrition services program complies with federal, state and local requirements and is accessible to all children; sequential and interdisciplinary nutrition education is provided and promoted; patterns of meaningful physical activity are encouraged that connect to students' lives outside of physical education; school-based activities are consistent with the district's wellness policy goals; foods and beverages sold on campus during the school day (including cafeteria meals, vending machines, concessions, a la carte, and student stores) include a variety of healthy choices and adhere to food safety and sanitary guidelines; the school environment is safe, comfortable, pleasing, and allows ample time and space for eating meals and conducting physical activity. This policy shall be monitored, in accordance with 'Recommendations and Guidelines for Implementing the School Wellness Policy,' to ensure schools are meeting the requirements of Section 204 of Public Law 108-265."

Presented at each public hearing, along with the policy proposal, was a list of recommendations and guidelines for implementing the school wellness policy.