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PJ39 Student and Staff Wellness

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PJ39 Student and Staff Wellness 

General Provisions

Albuquerque Public Schools will develop and maintain a comprehensive Wellness Policy Implementation and Monitoring Plan, which shall:

  • Detail roles, responsibilities, and timelines of the District School Health Advisory Committee.

  • Outline accountability mechanisms and data sources to evaluate policy implementation.

  • Promote engagement from staff and community partners.

  • Include annual review cycles to revise action plans and communicate progress to the public.

Albuquerque Public Schools shall strive to utilize the histories, language, and cultures of our families, community and students as the foundation of this wellness policy  that ensures every student is eager to be a world-class citizen. Collaborative decision-making processes shall be incorporated on district and school-level School Health Advisory Councils.

The approach shall be culturally responsive and will focus on increasing academic opportunities by eliminating barriers that affect students’ readiness to learn. Albuquerque Public Schools shall promote a healthy, safe learning and working environment that provides students and staff with the skills, social support, and environmental reinforcement they need to adopt long-term, health-promoting behaviors that can improve student achievement and assist staff in meeting the needs of students.Family, School and Community Engagement

In line with the Wellness Policy, Albuquerque Public Schools shall create a school environment that promotes student health and supports academic achievement through effective partnerships among families, schools and communities.

The district shall establish and maintain a District School Health Advisory Council (DSHAC) whose membership represents all school levels (elementary, middle, and high), and the cultural diversity of Albuquerque Public Schools. Membership should include equal representation of family/ student/community membership and Albuquerque Public Schools employee members. Membership shall include:

  • At least one Board of Education member

  • Family(ies)/Parent(s)

  • Representative(s) from the Food and Nutrition Services Department

  • Albuquerque Public Schools administrator(s)

  • School staff

  • Student(s)

  • Community member(s)

  • Representative(s) from each of the components of the coordinated school health approach

The Albuquerque Public Schools District School Health Advisory Council shall provide advice and counsel to the Albuquerque Public Schools leadership, Superintendent and Board of Education on the development, revision, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the district’s wellness policy. In addition, the District School Health Advisory Council may be asked to make recommendations regarding issues and topics related to the eight components of the wellness policy. The Albuquerque Public Schools District School Health Advisory Council shall meet for one or more of these purposes at least biannually and report progress to the Board of Education biannually.

At the request of the Superintendent, the District School Health Advisory Council shall be responsible for recommending a list of topics/issues that the council will work on the next year and submit them for consideration by district leadership. Topics/issues may include, but are not limited to:

  • The promotion of physical activity opportunities for students, before, during, and/or after school.

  • The promotion of Smart Snack Nutrition Standards is stated in the Albuquerque Public Schools Competitive Food Sales Board Policy and Procedural Directive.

  • Guidance for school-sponsored fundraisers during normal school hours that meet guidelines as stated in the competitive food sales Albuquerque Public Schools Board Policy and Procedural Directive.

  • Ensure K-12 health education curriculum is aligned to the New Mexico Health Education Standards and Benchmarks with Performance Standards.

  • Ensure K-12 physical education curriculum is aligned to the New Mexico Physical Education Standards and Benchmarks with Performance Standards.

  • Support the behavioral health needs of all students in the educational process.

  • Ensure schools are in compliance with the Public Education Department requirements for Site Safety Plans.

  • Support the health services needs of students in the educational process.

  • Ensures an equitable work environment and a work environment that meets the Americans with Disabilities Act for all staff.

  • Provide recommendations to ensure that school wellness programs are measured.

  • Ensure that schools provide site wellness information to the community through school wellness profiles.

  • Ensure that the district's Academic Master Plan aligns with a coordinated school health approach.

As a best practice, each school shall establish and maintain a school-level School Health Advisory Council. Each principal shall designate a committee charged with establishing recommendations that are culturally sensitive and focused on student and staff wellness. Recommendations may include, but are not limited to: family and community engagement, nutrition, physical activity, physical education, health education, healthy and safe environments, school counseling/social and emotional wellbeing, health services, and staff wellness. This committee can be combined with an existing committee (such as the safety committee) or be a separate school health advisory council/wellness committee. This committee shall consist of:

  • Principal and/or assistant principal

  • Family member(s) who are not also staff working in the school

  • School food service staff

  • School staff (such as school nurse, counselors, social workers, teachers, etc.)

  • Student(s)

  • Community member(s)

 

 

School-level School Health Advisory Councils shall:

  • Review the school’s Wellness Profile annually and

  • Make recommendations to the school principal regarding programs and activities to support the school’s coordinated school health approach.

Nutrition

District and school level School Health Advisory Councils will utilize the Albuquerque Public School Family and Community Engagement Board policy and procedural directive as guidance for their efforts and recommendations.

Albuquerque Public Schools shall integrate programs that provide access to a variety of nutritious, affordable and appealing meals and snacks for students; nutrition education; and an environment that promotes healthy eating behaviors.

In recognition of the role that nutrition in supporting nutrition plays in supporting academic performance and quality of life, schools shall provide adequate opportunities to encourage and support healthy eating by students.

Albuquerque Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department shall ensure that foods and beverages sold or served in the school meal programs are in compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations.  meet or exceed the nutritional standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state policies. Schools shall provide all students with unrestricted access to water during lunchtime through water fountains, stations, or portable water. 

Principals shall ensure that all foods and beverages made available on their school campus through vending machines, a la carte, student stores, food vendors, snack bars, and school-sponsored fundraisers before, during, and after normal school hours shall minimally meet United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Smart Snack Nutrition Standards set forth in New Mexico Administrative Code and district procedural directive. Schools are allowed a maximum of two food and/or beverage-related exemption day fundraisers lasting up to one full school day per semester. All non-food and nutrition service competitive food sales shall not be allowed within the environs of the cafeteria and cannot be conducted during meal service times. Schools shall explore alternative fundraising methods that do not interfere with regular meal service or the school's nutritional goals.

Schools shall provide nutrition education activities that align with the New Mexico Health Education Content Standards as well as Benchmarks and Performance Standards.

Physical Activity

Physical activity is conducted for health and wellness reasons and should not be withheld or used as a punishment.

Physical activity is not a replacement for physical education. In addition to the Physical Education and Health Education Content Standards, schools shall provide opportunities for all students to participate in before, during, and/or after school physical activity programs outside of physical education programs. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • 10-minute “brain breaks/energizers” integrated into curriculum

  • Safe Routes to School encouragement and education activities

  • Intramurals

  • Family fitness nights

  • After school clubs and activities

  • Interscholastic athletics (at the secondary level)

Competitive and non-competitive physical activity opportunities that are developmentally appropriate in nature shall be offered to all students. Schools shall provide education on the health benefits of physical activity that align with both the New Mexico Health Education and Physical Education Content Standards with Benchmarks and Performance.

Physical Education

Albuquerque Public Schools shall provide students with physical education to assure that all students are able to learn and develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to be physically active.

Schools shall provide a planned, sequential, physical education curriculum that provides the optimal opportunity for students to:

  • Learn and develop skills,

  • Increase knowledge and attitudes necessary to personally decide to participate in lifetime healthful physical activity, and is

  • Aligned to the Physical Education Content Standards with Benchmarks and Performance Standards.

Physical education classes will be sequential, building from year to year, and content will include motor skills, concepts and strategies, engagement in physical activity, physical fitness, responsible behavior, and benefits of physical activity. In addition, physical education classes will be aligned to the New Mexico Physical Education Content Standards with Benchmarks and Performance Standards.

A high quality physical education program improves overall student health and enhances student academic achievement. Every student shall have opportunities to participate in physical education, including students with disabling conditions (Adapted PE) and those in alternative education programs.

Health Education

Albuquerque Public Schools shall provide a comprehensive health education curriculum to provide opportunities for students to acquire health literacy and life skills.

Schools shall provide a planned, sequential, health education curricular framework that addresses the Albuquerque Public Schools Health Education Units of Study and is aligned to the New Mexico Health Education Content Standards with Benchmarks and Performance Standards as well as health skills. 

For related issues and school exemptions, schools shall follow district procedures outlined in the “Human Sexuality and AIDS Instructional Material” and the “Exemptions from Health or Physical Education Curriculum” that addresses for instruction on HIV”.

Healthy and Safe Environment

Albuquerque Public Schools shall promote a positive school climate and culture that facilitates teaching and learning in a healthy and safe environment before, during, and after school that:

  • Focuses on the whole child,

  • Promotes personal growth and healthy personal relationships, and

  • Provides freedom from discrimination and abus,e including bullying prevention and intervention.

Albuquerque Public Schools shall promote a climate and culture before, during and after school for students, teachers, staff, parents and community members that support academic achievement.

All Albuquerque Public Schools sites shall develop and utilize guidelines for a Site Safety Plan, which will be reviewed and updated annually. The plan shall include introduction, prevention, protection & mitigation, response, recovery, and assurances & appendices that focuses on supporting healthy and safe environments. Plans shall be submitted to the Albuquerque Public Schools School Police for annual approval.

Families shall be notified annually at registration of where they can access information regarding school emergencies. In accordance with NMAC 6.29.1.9(O), schools shall perform eight (8) emergency drills annually. During the first four weeks of school, schools shall conduct two (2) fire drills, one (1) evacuation drill, one (1) active shooter/shelter in place drill. During the rest of the school year, each school shall conduct at least four (4) additional emergency drills, at least two (2) of which shall be fire drills. In locations where a fire department is maintained, a member of the fire department shall be requested to be in attendance for the purpose of giving educational instruction and recommendations for all eight (8) drills. Fire department attendance is at the discretion of available resources. Any drill conducted for the purpose of active shooter preparation/response should include parent/guardian notification. 

All Albuquerque Public Schools sites shall provide safety procedures and appropriate training for students, teachers, parents, and staff. These trainings shall support personal safety and a violence/harassment-free environment. Example of trainings include: OSHA, child abuse, suicide prevention, bullying, lockdown, and lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) sensitivity.

All Albuquerque Public Schools district buildings and grounds, structures, buses, and equipment will meet current state and local statutes, regulations, and standards.

All Albuquerque Public Schools facilities shall abide by district policies and procedural directives that create and promote an environment free of tobacco or tobacco products, alcohol ,and other drugs.

 

School Counseling/Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Albuquerque Public Schools, shall provide services to maintain and/or improve student’s mental, emotional, behavioral and social health.

Albuquerque Public Schools shall collaborate with students, families, staff, and community to influence student success by building awareness and promoting strategies focused on maintaining and/or improving student mental health.

Schools shall have an active Health and Wellness Team that meets regularly. . The Health and Wellness Team (HWT) is a school-based layer 2 intervention designed to support student health, mental health, and social and emotional well-being. The primary task of an HWT is to identify and provide interventions and/or resources for individual students who are exhibiting behavioral and emotional issues that are having a negative impact on academic and social performance. Any student can receive services through the HWT process. The team collaboratively problem solves and must complete an effective intervention plan for each student that helps them improve academically and socially.

It is recommended that teams meet at least every two weeks. The core members of each Health and Wellness Team may include the school nurse, school counselor (s), teacher(s), behavior redirector, and school administrator. Other mental health professionals may be invited as guests for a specific student (i.e. school based health center clinicians, contracted Community Mental Health Providers, etc. – note: special education school social workers and school psychologists may participate if the student is a special education student)Schools shall have a documented procedure in place for students to request assistance with any social-emotional need. In turn, all school staff shall have annual training and information on this procedure and others to support student safety and wellbeing, including the following:

  • Child abuse and neglect procedure,

  •  

  • School-specific social and emotional resources.

Schools shall follow the Board policy and procedural directive on Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention.

Schools shall have an individual student safety plan for students that are exhibiting behaviors that could impact the safety of the students and/or staff.

Schools and the district Counseling Department shall implement and measure components of a comprehensive counseling program as outlined by the Counseling Department and in alignment with the American School Counselor Association National Model for school counselors. Schools shall follow the procedural directive on Student Suicide: Prevention, Intervention and Postvention  Health Services

 

Albuquerque Public Schools shall provide health services that include activities addressing the health needs of students necessary to access learning and the educational environment.  The school health services team provides student support and care every school day so they can be healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

Health services shall follow best practices and enforce federal and state requirements (such as immunization and communicable disease requirements) in partnership with students, parents, staff, and community. Albuquerque Public School health service personnel shall follow standards of care for their specific role group as per state statutes and regulations. School personnel should reference the NM School Health Manual and the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Nursing Manual for comprehensive guidelines, as well as all applicable Albuquerque Public Schools policy and procedural directives.

Health service programs shall meet all reporting, record-keeping and confidentiality requirements of state and federal statutes and regulations.

Staff Wellness

Albuquerque Public Schools shall promote activities that help maintain and improve the health and well-being of staff, contributing to improved morale and a greater personal commitment to the district's goals. These activities include:

  • Promoting the physical, emotional, and mental health of employees,

  • Offering programs to prevent and manage chronic diseases and disability, 

  • Opportunities for staff to learn and practice skills to make personal decisions about health-enhancing daily habits.

  • Administrators shall follow the Action Steps and Flowchart for Responding to Staff Suicidal Ideation.

The Albuquerque Public Schools Human Resource Department shall 

1) provide staff with information related to mental health, exercise, nutrition, stress management, and financial wellness, and 2) encourage and provide opportunities for staff to participate in activities and events focusing on physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

Implementation and Assessment

In accordance with Federal Wellness Policy Requirements and NMAC 6.12.6, Albuquerque Public Schools shall:

  • Designate one or more district- and/or school-level officials responsible for ensuring compliance with the district wellness policy.

  • Conduct Biannual Assessments to evaluate compliance, comparison with model policies, and progress toward policy goals. These assessments will be posted publicly and incorporated into the district’s administrative review cycle.

  • Document the wellness policy, how it is made publicly available, recent assessment results, and details on stakeholder participation and review efforts.

  • Update or modify the wellness policy as needed based on assessments and stakeholder feedback.

  • Post the wellness policy and biannual assessment summary on the district’s website at least annually and provide access to the public, including families and school staff.

As a best practice, each school shall participate in an annual School Wellness Profile that will promote public transparency. The Wellness Progress Report shall be posted on the Albuquerque Public Schools website each fall for the prior school year. The profile report shall include one or more indicators for:

  • Family, School,and Community Engagement

  • Nutrition

  • Physical Education/Physical Activity

  • Health Education

  • Healthy and Safe Environment

  • School Counseling/Social and Emotional Wellbeing

  • Health Services

  • Staff Wellness

Each principal shall designate a committee (SHAC or other existing committee) which will be charged with reviewing the school’s Wellness Progress Report, planning and implementing activities to support all of the indicators..

The District SHAC shall also:

  • Meet at least twice per year and include representation from all required groups: parents, students, school food authority, physical education teachers, health professionals, school board, and administrators.

  • Advise the district on:

    • Specific goals for nutrition, physical activity, health education, behavioral health, school safety, health services, staff wellness, and more.

    • Nutrition guidelines for all foods/beverages available on campus, food marketing, fundraisers, and celebrations.

    • Physical activity promotion before/during/after school and an aligned physical education curriculum.

    • Plans to meet behavioral health needs through supports that emphasize social and emotional well-being.

    • Submission and updating of Safe School Plans, including emergency operations and safety protocols.

Systems to ensure an equitable work environment aligned with ADA requirements for all staff.

Definitions

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “adapted physical education” means a physical education instructional program that is developed and implemented for an individual with a disability.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “brain breaks/energizers” means simple 1-2 minute mind and body challenges that help to regain focus in the classroom.

 

 

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “family, school and community engagement” means an integrated family, school and community approach for enhancing the health and well-being of students by establishing a district and school-level school health advisory councils that has the responsibility to make recommendations to the local school board in the development or revision, implementation, and assessment of the wellness policy.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “fundraiser” means a sale on a school campus to benefit a school or school organization of beverage or food products limited by a United States Department of Agriculture school meal program for use, consumption, or sale during the school day in competition with school meals. A fundraiser may be conducted only for up to one school day on two occasions per semester or trimester term in a school that participates in the  United States Department of Agriculture school meal programs. The wellness policy implemented through 6.12.6 NMAC shall include annual assurances to the New Mexico public education department of compliance with limitations on “fundraisers” pursuant to this subsection, and subject to review as part of the administrative review of a school food authority.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, the “health and wellness team (HAWT)” means an internal “System of Care Model” that is implemented throughout the Albuquerque Public Schools district. The core members of the HAWTs are school counselors and school nurses, with other appropriate Albuquerque Public Schools staff when needed. Administrators participate as they are able. These individuals work in a collaborative manner to provide consultation and resources to one another, identify and assess student referrals, determine intervention plans, and monitor student progress and program outcomes.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “health education” means the instructional program that provides the opportunity to motivate and assist all students to maintain and improve their health, prevent disease, and reduce health-related risk behaviors. It allows students to develop and demonstrate increasingly sophisticated health-related knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices. It meets the content standards with benchmarks and performance standards as set forth in 6.29.6 NMAC.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “health literacy” means the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make health decisions.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “health services” means a broad scope of services, provided by qualified professional heath care providers, which address the physical and mental health needs of students.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “healthy and safe environment” means a healthy school environment conducive to teaching and learning. It supports a total learning experience that promotes personal growth, healthy interpersonal relationships, wellness, and freedom from bullying, discrimination, and abuse for all students.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “nutrition” means programs that provide access to a variety of nutritious and appealing meals and snacks that accommodate the health and nutrition needs of all students.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “physical activity” means body movement of any type which include recreational, fitness, and sport activities.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “physical education” means the instructional program that provides cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of activity areas. It provides the opportunity for all students to learn and develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to personally decide to participate in a lifetime of healthful physical activity. It meets the content standards with benchmarks and performance standards as set forth in Section 6.29.9 NMAC.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “Safe Routes to School” means a national program that is designed to create safe, convenient, and fun opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to and from school. The goal is to reverse the decline in children walking and bicycling to school, increase kids' safety and reverse the alarming nationwide trend toward childhood obesity and inactivity.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure “school counseling/social and emotional wellbeing” means services provided to maintain or improve students’ mental, emotional, behavioral, and social health. It includes a comprehensive school counseling program that is a collaborative effort between the school counselor, families, and other educators to create an environment promoting student achievement.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “School Wellness Profile” means the summary of indicators made available to the public for each of the coordinated school health components.

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “Smart Snack Nutrition Standards” means the standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the sale of competitive foods and beverages to students on school campuses or school-sponsored events during the school day as defined by the USDA (JL5 Competitive Food Sales).

For the purposes of this administrative procedure, “staff wellness” means opportunities for school staff to improve their health status through activities such as health assessments, health education, and health-related fitness activities. These opportunities encourage school staff to pursue a healthy lifestyle that contributes to their improved health status, improved morale, and a greater personal commitment to the school's overall coordinated school health approach.

Administrative Position:

  • Deputy Superintendent for Leadership and Learning

Department Director:

  • Associate Superintendent of School Climate and Support

Cross References:

Legal Cross Ref.: 

  • NMAC 6.12.2.8

  • NMAC 6.12.4.8

  • NMAC 6.12.5.8

  • NMAC 6.12.6.8

  • NMAC 6.12.7.8

  • NMAC 6.29.6

  • NMAC 6.29.9

Board Policy Cross Ref.:

  • AD Tobacco Free Schools

Procedural Directive Cross Ref.:

NSBA/NEPN Classification: ADF, IHAMD

Reviewed: September 24, 2010
Reviewed: October 15, 2010
Reviewed: November 8, 2010
Approved: November 12, 2010
Reviewed: May 6, 2016
Reviewed: May 17, 2016
Revised: May 20, 2016

Reviewed: June 9, 2025

Revised: June 9, 2025