WUS Dining Services Newsletter
Winter 2020
COMMUNITY DONORS HELPING STUDENTS >>>
This past holiday season, we had several generous donors from the Wayland community step forward to help students with negative lunch balances.
One generous donation was made by a family which chose to donate money instead of buying each other Christmas gifts. Another donation was given by the staff and Tribal Council for the Gun Lake Tribe. Yet another donation was given by a local Wayland business.
All-in-all, these beautiful gifts totaled over $3,700!!! Hundreds of student accounts were helped with these generous funds.
One grandmother of a student helped with these donations stated, “You just don’t know how much this means. We're going through such a hard time right now... you just don’t know. Thank you, THANK YOU!”
These one-time donations were made to help those that needed it. How wonderful that there are people who care enough to help in this community for no reason other than spreading kindness. Wayland is an AMAZING community!!
Please help honor these donations by keeping your student’s lunch account balance in the positive.
THANK YOU, DONORS!!!
STUDENT CHOICE EVENT >>>
In December, High School students were able to participate in a FREE Student Choice Event! Students sampled three different menu options and used iPads to vote for the item they wanted to have put on their menu!
It was a fun and interactive experience for students, including those whom otherwise might not sample such a variety of dishes. Menu options included Big City BBQ, Chaat House Indian Kitchen, and Bok Choy.
Almost 300 votes were cast and the winning menu item was BOK CHOY! Bok Choy includes Chicken Bulgogi with Korean BBQ Sauce and Fried Rice. It will be available as a lunch option every Thursday!
Special thanks to our fellow chefs from Chartwells who traveled to Wayland Union High School to help with this terrific event!
WUS NEGATIVE BALANCE POLICY >>>
Student account balances for all grade levels shall be set at a level not to exceed a balance in the amount of -$10.
Once a student's lunch account balance reaches, or exceeds a balance of -$10, the student will receive a negative balance meal consisting of a choice of either a peanut butter or a cheese sandwich. In addition, the student will be able to choose his/her fruit and vegetable components from the food bar and will also be able to select his/her choice of milk. Negative balance meals will be charged to student accounts.
Snack, beverage, or a la carte items shall not be charged under any circumstances where a student balance is $0.00 or negative. This includes second meals and entree-only purchases.
Please help the school by paying negative balances as soon as possible and keeping your student's account balance in the positive.
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CONVENIENT WAYS TO MAKE A PAYMENT >>>
WUS Food Services Department offers several convenient ways for parents/guardians to make payments to student lunch accounts:
ONLINE - Log onto the Parent Portal to access your student's lunch account. You can review their account history and make payments by hitting the PAY button.
PHONE - Call our office to make a payment over the phone using a credit or debit card. Call the Food Services Office #(269)792-3150.
CHECK - Send a check to school with your student in an envelope during the school year. This can be given to the Cafeteria Staff directly to be applied to your student's account. Please include your student's name on the envelope. You can also mail your check to our office at:
WUS - Food Services Department
324 West Sycamore Street
Wayland, MI 49348
FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL APPLICATIONS >>>
Applications for Free & Reduced Price Meals need to be completed EVERY year to maintain eligibility. Applications can be submitted electronically or using a paper application.
Electronic Applications>>>
Electronic Application forms are available online through the Parent Portal. Simply log into your Parent Portal account and select MORE from the Main Menu. From there, select MEAL BENEFITS to open and complete the application electronically.
Please contact the HelpDesk at the school if you have issues accessing your Parent Portal account or if you have issues with your Parent Portal account password.
Paper Applications>>>
Paper application forms can be obtained at the school office or downloaded from the WUS Food Services Department website. All completed applications can be turned in to your child's school. Once a family's application has been received and processed, a notification letter will be mailed to the household explaining their new eligibility status.
SUBMIT YOUR 2019-2020 APPLICATION>>>
Benefits of the Free & Reduced Price Meal Program expire every year. It is most beneficial for families to submit a NEW application at the beginning of the school year. However, applications are accepted all year long. Be sure to complete a NEW application and submit it to your child's school as soon as possible to avoid accruing unnecessary meal charges. Only one application needs to be submitted per household. Submit a NEW application during the school year whenever your household size or income level changes.
Have questions? Call us! (269)792-3150
PRIDE IN FOOD SERVICE WEEK! >>>
FEBRUARY 3-7
We recognize and applaud all our Food Service staff for the wonderful work that they do and the spirit in which they do it!! THANK YOU!!!
NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK! >>>
MARCH 2-6
Eating a healthy breakfast before starting the school day is linked to improved concentration, better test scores, increased energy, a higher daily intake of vitamins and minerals, and even a healthier body weight.
Breakfast is especially important for young students whose brains use up about half of the body’s energy.
Eating breakfast at school is a convenient way to start your child’s day off right!
Give school breakfast a try and look for fun activities March 2 - 6!
LUNCH MENUS AND SO MUCH MORE >>>
- Search school menus!
- Filter menu items for allergens!
- Check meal prices!
- View carb counts!
DID YOU KNOW >>>
Wayland Union Schools contracts with Chartwells to provide school meals at all WUS locations in the district.
Chartwells provides menus, recipes, fun activities, FREE samples, and staff training. This allows student meals to be fresh, nutritious, and affordable while implementing socially responsible and sustainable best practices.
Scott Larson, Director of Dining Services for Wayland Union Schools has been with Chartwells for the past 10 years. "Chartwells provides expertise and support that many school districts wouldn’t otherwise have access to. It's a win-win,” said Larson.
WUS DINING SERVICES DEPARTMENT >>>
Director
(269)792-3150, ext. 2610
Cindy Mathis
Secretary
(269)792-3150, ext. 2601
Email: mathisc@waylandunion.org
Website: waylandunion.org/departments/food-service
Location: 324 West Sycamore Street, Wayland, MI 49348, USA
Phone: 269-792-3150