The purpose of 105 CMR 215.000 is to set Standard for the establishment and operation of School Wellness Advisory Committees. These committees are intended to ensure that each public school district has an established group of school staff and concerned community representatives to recommend, review and help implement school district policies addressing school nutrition, nutrition education, physical activity and related issues that affect student health.

(1) Each public school district shall have a School Wellness Advisory Committee to encourage development of a program that actively promotes wellness in schools and to maximize the school district's opportunities for grant awards.

• (a) A regional school district may establish a regional school wellness advisory committee to cover the schools within that district. To the maximum extent feasible, each community within the region shall be represented on the committee.

• (b) Where a regional school district is responsible only for middle and/or high schools, the regional school wellness committee established by the school district also may cover the elementary schools which send students to the middle and/or high schools.

• (c) School districts that share a superintendent may establish a single school wellness committee that covers the school districts under the direction of that superintendent.

(d) The department, in collaboration with the department of elementary and secondary education, shall assist public schools in the implementation of the nutritional Standard relative to the sale or provision of competitive foods or beverages in public schools. The assistance may include:

(i) additional training in nutrition and diet available for school food service directors;

(ii) an assessment of a school’s capacity, resources and equipment to prepare and provide recommended foods; and

(iii) recommendations on the duration of school lunch periods.