Harrisburg School District 7 – Local Wellness Policy (EFA)
Three-Year Review: Assessment of Implementation and Progress
Harrisburg School District 7 has made consistent and measurable progress in implementing District Policy EFA through coordinated wellness initiatives that support student nutrition, physical activity, and overall well-being. The district’s most recent assessment demonstrates strong alignment between policy goals and on-the-ground practices, with intentional efforts to engage students, families, staff, and community partners.
The district has actively collaborated with the Safe Routes to School Committee to promote safe, active transportation and family engagement. Outreach efforts included distributing informational flyers at on-campus events such as Back-to-School Night and student registration, as well as at off-campus community events, including the Summer Sounds events at the park, the Latino family meet-and-greet, and the Tri-County City Expo. These efforts increased awareness and participation in active transportation initiatives. In addition, the district plans and implements a bike rodeo for elementary students and hosts Walk and Roll events twice each year, encouraging students and families to walk or bike to school and reinforcing lifelong healthy habits.
Harrisburg School District also partners with the Eagle Wellness Committee, which has established a designated wellness contact at every school. This structure allows for consistent feedback and input related to healthy snacks, wellness activities, and school-based initiatives. Events supported through this partnership have included step-count challenges, healthy meal-preparation activities, golf and bowling opportunities, and other movement-based programs. Everyone in the district has been given multiple opportunities for input. Community members who do participate are able to earn certificates of completion. Formative assessments and feedback indicate improvements in both physical and mental health across the district community, as evidenced by increased participation and raw data from exercise logs.
Instructionally, physical education and health teachers participate in strategic planning sessions that emphasize student wellness activities and state standards. Goals related to nutrition education, physical literacy, and motor skill development are embedded within instructional maps, implemented throughout the school year, and formally assessed. Assessment results are shared with families and reviewed on an ongoing basis to support continuous improvement.
The district’s Food Services Department supports policy goals by publishing monthly menus that include nutritional information and highlight the benefits of menu choices. Nutritious snacks are also made available to students within and outside of classroom settings, reinforcing healthy eating habits during the school day.
Harrisburg School District ensures that physical education is provided to all students in compliance with state-required instructional minutes. Observational data indicate that over 90 percent of weekly physical education class time is devoted to actual physical activity, maximizing student engagement and physical benefit. Building administrators further support wellness goals by scheduling regular breaks and recess opportunities to supplement daily physical activity needs. Additionally, health and wellness are topics of discussion during PLC and in-service times.
Communication and transparency remain a priority. Parents, students, and staff have ongoing access to wellness-related information through newsletters, announcements, and posters that promote nutrition, physical activity, and overall school wellness goals.
Overall, Harrisburg School District 7 demonstrates strong implementation of Policy EFA and continues to make meaningful progress toward its wellness goals. Through strategic partnerships, high-quality instruction, community engagement, and clear communication, the district is fostering a culture of health and well-being that supports student success, thanks to collaborative efforts among the aforementioned people and committees.