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Check out the Cardinal CSD Scorecard below. It contains details of how we scored on each item and section of the assessment as a district. Items with a rating of “0” means the item is not addressed in the policy, and a “1” means there is a general or weak statement addressing the item.

Section 1: Nutrition Education

  Item Rating
NE1 There is a standards-based nutrition curriculum, health education curriculum, or other curriculum that includes nutrition. 2
NE2 All elementary school students receive nutrition education. 2
NE3 All middle school students receive nutrition education. 2
NE4 All high school students receive nutrition education. 2
NE5 Links nutrition education with the school food environment. 2
NE6 Nutrition education teaches skills that are behavior-focused. 2
NE7 Nutrition education is sequential and comprehensive in scope 2
Subtotal for
Section 1
Comprehensiveness Score:
Count the number of items rated as "1" or "2" and divide this number by 7 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100. Do not count an item if the rating is "0."
100
Subtotal for
Section 1
Strength Score:
Count the number of items rated as "2" and divide this number by 7 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100.
100

Section 2: Standards for USDA Child Nutrition Programs and School Meals

  Item Rating
SM1 Addresses access to the USDA School Breakfast Program. 2
SM2 Addresses compliance with USDA nutrition standards for reimbursable meals. 2
SM3 School meals meet standards that are more stringent than those required by the USDA. 2
SM4 District takes steps beyond those required by federal law/regulation to protect the privacy of students who qualify for free or reduced priced meals. 2
SM5 USDA National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program standards are described in full (or a link to the standards is provided in the wellness policy) 2
SM6 Specifies strategies to increase participation in school meal programs. 2
SM7 Addresses students leaving school during lunch periods. 2
SM8 Ensures adequate time to eat. 2
SM9 Ensures annual training for food and nutrition services staff in accordance with USDA Professional Standards. 2
SM10 Addresses school meal environment. 2
SM11 Nutrition information for school meals (e.g., calories, saturated fat, sodium, sugar) is available to students and parents. 2
SM12 Specifies how families are provided information about determining eligibility for free/reduced priced meals. 2
SM13 Recess (when offered) is scheduled before lunch in elementary schools. 2
SM14 Free drinking water is available during meals 2
Subtotal for
Section 2
Comprehensiveness Score:
Count the number of items rated as "1" or "2" and divide this number by 14 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100. Do not count an item if the rating is "0."
100
Subtotal for
Section 2
Strength Score:
Count the number of items rated as "2" and divide this number by 14 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100.
100

Section 3: Nutrition Standards for Competitive and Other Foods and Beverages

  Item Rating
NS1 Addresses compliance with USDA minimum nutrition standards for all FOODS sold to students during the school day (commonly referred to as Smart Snacks) 2
NS2 Addresses nutrition standards for all FOODS sold to students during the EXTENDED school day (includes regular school day plus after school programming and clubs. Do not count snacks provided in before/aftercare (child care) programs) 2
NS3 Addresses nutrition standards for all FOODS AND BEVERAGES served to students while attending before/aftercare on school grounds. 2
NS4 Regulates food served during classroom parties and celebrations in elementary schools. 1
NS5 Addresses compliance with USDA nutrition standards for all BEVERAGES sold to students during the school day (commonly referred to as Smart Snacks) 2
NS6 Addresses nutrition standards for all BEVERAGES sold to students during the EXTENDED school day (includes regular school day plus after school programming and clubs). 2
NS7 Addresses foods and beverages containing non-nutritive sweeteners (High School) 2
NS8 Addresses foods and beverages containing caffeine at the high school level*

*As of 2014, USDA Smart Snacks standards prohibit the sale of foods and beverages containing caffeine in elementary and middle schools.
2
NS9 USDA Smart Snack standards are described in full (or a link to the standards is provided in the wellness policy) 2
NS10 Addresses availability of free drinking water throughout the school day. 2
NS11 Regulates food sold for fundraising at all times (not only during the school day). 2
Subtotal for
Section 3
Comprehensiveness Score:
Count the number of items rated as "1" or "2" and divide this number by 11 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100. Do not count an item if the rating is "0."
100
Subtotal for
Section 3
Strength Score:
Count the number of items rated as "2" and divide this number by 11 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100.
91

Section 4: Physical Education and Physical Activity

  Item Rating
PEPA1 There is a written physical education curriculum for grades K-12. 2
PEPA2 The written physical education curriculum is aligned with national and/or state physical education standards. 2
PEPA3 Addresses time per week of physical education instruction for all elementary school students. 2
PEPA4 Addresses time per week of physical education instruction for all middle school students. 2
PEPA5 Addresses time per week of physical education instruction for all high school students. 2
PEPA6 Addresses teacher-student ratio for physical education classes. 2
PEPA7 Addresses qualifications for physical education teachers for grades K-12. 2
PEPA8 District provides physical education training for physical education teachers. 2
PEPA9 Addresses physical education waiver requirements for K-12 students (e.g., substituting physical education requirement with other activities). 2
PEPA10 Addresses physical education exemptions for K-12 students. 2
PEPA11 Addresses physical education substitution requirements for K-12 students (e.g., substituting physical education requirement with other activities). 2
PEPA12 District addresses the development of a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) plan at each school. Information on CSPAP. 2
PEPA13 District addresses active transport for all K-12 students. 1
PEPA14 District addresses before and after school physical activity for all K-12 students. 1
PEPA15 District addresses recess. 1
PEPA16 Addresses physical activity breaks for all K-12 students. 1
PEPA17 Addresses staff involvement in physical activity opportunities at all schools. 2
PEPA18 Addresses family and community engagement in physical activity opportunities at all schools. 1
PEPA19 District provides physical activity training for all teachers. 0
PEPA20 Joint or shared-use agreements for physical activity participation at all schools. 0
Subtotal for
Section 4
Comprehensiveness Score:
Count the number of items rated as "1" or "2" and divide this number by 20 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100. Do not count an item if the rating is "0."
90
Subtotal for
Section 4
Strength Score:
Count the number of items rated as "2" and divide this number by 20 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100.
65

Section 5: Wellness Promotion and Marketing

  Item Rating
WPM1 Encourages staff to model healthy eating/drinking behaviors. 2
WPM2 Addresses staff not modeling unhealthy eating/drinking behaviors. 1
WPM3 Encourages staff to model physical activity behaviors. 1
WPM4 Addresses food not being used as a reward. 2
WPM5 Addresses using physical activity as a reward. 2
WPM6 Addresses physical activity not being used as a punishment. 2
WPM7 Addresses physical activity not being withheld as a punishment. 2
WPM8 Specifies marketing/ways to promote healthy food and beverage choices. 2
WPM9 Specifies ways to promote physical activity. 2
WPM10 Specifies that family wellness activities will be planned and will include nutrition and physical activity components. 1
WPM11 On signs, scoreboards, sports equipment. 1
WPM12 In curricula, textbooks, websites used for educational purposes, or other educational materials (both printed and electronic) 1
WPM13 On exteriors of vending machines, food or beverage cups or containers, food display racks, coolers, trash and recycling containers, etc. 2
WPM14 On advertisements in school publications, on school radio stations, in-school television, computer screen savers and/or school-sponsored Internet sites, or announcements on the public announcement (PA) system. 1
WPM15 On fundraisers and corporate-sponsored programs that encourage students and their families to sell, purchase or consume products and/or provide funds to schools in exchange for consumer purchases of those products. 1
Subtotal for
Section 5
Comprehensiveness Score:
Count the number of items rated as "1" or "2" and divide this number by 15 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100. Do not count an item if the rating is "0."
100
Subtotal for
Section 5
Strength Score:
Count the number of items rated as "2" and divide this number by 15 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100.
53

Section 6: Implementation, Evaluation, & Communication

  Item Rating
IEC1 Establishes an ongoing district wellness committee. 2
IEC2 District wellness committee has community-wide representation. 1
IEC3 Designates one district level official accountable for ensuring each school is in compliance (ensuring that there is reporting up) 2
IEC4 Designates a leader in each school accountable for ensuring compliance within the school. 2
IEC5 Addresses annual assessment of school wellness policy implementation/progress towards wellness goals. 2
IEC6 Progress report on compliance/implementation is made to the school community (Board of Education, superintendent, principals, staff, students and parents) 2
IEC7 Progress report on compliance/implementation is made available to the public 2
IEC8 Progress report ensures transparency by including: the web address of the wellness policy, a description of each school's activities and progress towards meeting wellness goals, contact details for committee leadership and information on how to join the committee. 2
IEC9 Addresses a plan for updating policy based on best practices. 2
IEC10 Addresses methods for communicating with the public. 2
IEC11 Specifies how district will engage families to provide information and/or solicit input to meet district wellness goals (e.g., through website, e-mail, parent meetings, or events. 2
Subtotal for
Section 6
Comprehensiveness Score:
Count the number of items rated as "1" or "2" and divide this number by 11 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100. Do not count an item if the rating is "0."
100
Subtotal for
Section 6
Strength Score:
Count the number of items rated as "2" and divide this number by 11 (the number of items in this section). Multiply by 100.
91

Overall District Policy Score

  Item District Score
Total Comprehensiveness Add the comprehensiveness scores for each of the six sections above and divide this number by 6. 98
Total Strength Add the strength scores for each of the six sections above and divide this 83
From our first interaction with the staff at Cardinal schools, we felt at home. The entire staff is amazing and we feel that we have a trusted partner in our children’s education. The greatest testament to their success is that our kids love going to school. There is nothing more welcoming as a parent than to have a school that you trust to take care of the most precious thing in your life. Cardinal School District does just that.
Ellis and Barbara Codjoe · Cardinal Parents
Cardinal School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age (for employment), socioeconomic status (for programs), religion, disability, creed, national origin, marital status (for programs), sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity in its educational programs and employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or grievance related to this policy, please contact the district’s equity coordinator, Cindy Green.

The Cardinal Community School District offers career and technical  programs in the following service areas:
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Health Science
Human Services
Business, Finance, Marketing, and Management

Cindy Green - cindy.green@cardinalcomet.com
Middle School Principal/Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Equity Coordinator
4045 Ashland Rd.
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531

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