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DPCR's Wellness Policy

DePaul Cristo Rey High School (DPCR) is committed to the optimal development of every student. For students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental and social success, we need to create a positive, safe, healthy, spiritual, and nurturing learning environment at every level, in every setting throughout the school year.

Research shows that two components, good nutrition and physical activity, are strongly correlated with positive student outcomes. At DPCR we have additional component(s) that address the social, emotional and spiritual well-being of our students. Supported by a unified effort of staff and community partners, the implementation of wellness policy is as follows:

Food & Nutrition

  • The school ensures that all reimbursable schools meals meet or exceed the NSLP Breakfast & Lunch guidelines offering 100 percent whole grains, low-fat and reduced sodium food components.
  • With the Grab & Go cold bar students have daily access to fresh fruits and vegetables offered in natural state or prepared salads.
  • Healthy living tips are communicated inside the cafeteria via monitors promoting good nutrition, physical activity, and positive student achievements.
  • Student surveys are conducted to assess students’ interests in meal preferences to encourage participation in the school meals program for both breakfast and lunch.
  • The Food Service Department acts as an informant to support any food insecurity needs via community partner programs.
  • Student representative(s) support the implementation of any new Bruin Café initiatives related to nutrition, recycling, share tables etc.

Physical / Health Education

  • Students at each grade level are engaged in PE and/or Healthy Lifestyle Class, and/or General Health which include physical activity or weight training with an emphasis on core strength, agility cardio and endurance activities.
  • Health class focuses on nutrition, interpersonal relationships, alcohol/tobacco use, STDs, and mental health.
  • Athletics organizations emphasize off-season conditioning relative to particular sports for optimal physical fitness and increased performance.
  • PE class places an emphasis on physical literacy, understanding the importance of leading an active lifestyle, and exploring different ways to stay active. Students are exposed to basic athletic skills including running, jumping and throwing incorporating the use of fine and large motor skills. In addition, a weekly after-school exercise club is offered.

Counseling/ Social Services and Student Wellness

  • School based services through the Beech Acres team support the social needs of students on a confidential and individual basis.
  • Class retreats are held for each grade level. Participants experience a guided retreat established by the school Campus Ministry team that supports spiritual and emotional growth. Students are engaged in a number of activities that include journaling, faith-sharing, prayer, meditation, and community talks that ignite the soul and strengthen the student community. Jesus Club meets weekly to discuss and grow spiritual health which includes physical well-being.
  • The on-campus Wellness Clinic offers an on-site school nurse as resource for minor sickness and/or injury treatment; annual screenings for vision and hearing; and health education tips for symptomatic conditions.

Employee Wellness

  • The bi-annual faculty/staff retreat is held off-campus and focuses on self-reflection and community- building activities that strengthen our faculty/staff community and support our leadership endeavors.
  • Annual required training is provided on Blood Borne Pathogens, and recommended training is offered for AED operation, choking (Heimlich Maneuver) and Epi-Pen use.
  • Optional fitness activities include community relay runs, full-access to the weight training/fitness room, and in-school competitive spirit contests between students and staff.
  • The DPCR Health & Wellness Bulletin is distributed monthly to employees and includes tips on preventative care, understanding benefits, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and promoting wellness.

Community Engagement

  • Beech Acres offers Family Peer Support Services.
  • The Bruin Parent Club is offered as a volunteer parent support group to encourage parents’ engagement in school and community activities.

The school Wellness Policy is communicated via the school website, and is available for review by all constituents. The Food Service Manager collaborates with committee members to update guidelines.

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax:
(833) 256.1665 or (202) 690.7442; or

3. email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.