Friday Focus

October 22, 2021

SCHOOL NUTRITION NEWSLETTER

Message from the Director

Message from the Director

According to Charles Darwin, it’s not the strongest or most intelligent species that survives, it’s the one most responsive to change. With that criteria, I think we will live forever! Change is scary and makes us uncomfortable. I am so proud of how you face daily change head on! I feel like we barely get past one obstacle before another one blocks our path. Each week as different managers share their success tips, the one consistent thing I notice is their advice to stay positive. Understanding and accepting that change is inevitable is the first step in conquering fear of it. Staying positive and helping each other is how we find solutions that lead to our successes. Remember the words of Dr. Robert Schuller, "Tough times don't last, but tough people do." To acknowledge your work serving meals last year during a pandemic, current permanent employees who worked at least 120 days during 2020-21 will receive a $325 stipend with next Friday's pay! The Board graciously approved my request to use 2020-21 Emergency Meals Reimbursement to fund this. While your worth is priceless, please enjoy this token of deep appreciation. You are made of steel and never let anything get in the way of serving your students!


With gratitude,

Kathy

Message from the Director

FROM THE MIND OF A MANAGER : Susie Milcarek

I know everyone is experiencing supply chain issues. Every time we go to place an order, you sit there and wait, cross your fingers and hope items will be available. Then the screen pops up...ten lines out of stock! I get this a lot at the high school. My tip for everyone is to print your out of stock list and keep reordering those items each day. I do it at the end of the day, in the morning as I'm drinking my coffee or as soon as I get to work. I know some of you may say that you don't want to do this from home. Believe me, it doesn't take that long and it works! Usually by the end of the week I have almost all my items.

One last thing...does everyone know how to tell the date your pillow packs were made at the bakery? They have a four digit code stamped on the package. This is called a Julian date. For example, there are 365 days in a year and if your bread has a stamp of 2781, it was made on the 278th day of the year 2021 or October 5th. Hope these little tips will help make every day a little better.

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Reading Julian Dates b
Supply Chain Issues & School Meals - What Parents Need to Know
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Heavilin Goes Wild During National School Lunch Week!

Jackie Schutz and her team at Heavilin promoted National School Lunch Week (NSLW) by holding a daily drawing for stuffed "wild" animals that winning students got to "adopt." Balloons, animal paws and animal ears added to the fun. Thanks, Jackie, for fitting in a promotion and Going Wild for School Lunch!

Happy Pork-tober!

Did you know that technology has become an important part of farming? See how pork producers use technology in the video below. Did you know that China is the number #1 pork producing country and the U.S. is #2?
(Re)defining When Pigs Fly with Eric Stonestreet

Have you tried this?

How to Keep Your Apples from Turning Brown with Chef Rebecca
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United Way

At the Leadership Meeting this week, FS Managers heard a presentation from United Way and received materials to distribute to their staff. Donations are a personal decision for each staff person and entirely optional. VCS is offering a more affordable opportunity to give for those individuals who are interested in spreading out their donation through payroll deduction. You can have any amount deducted from your paycheck, even $1.00. Of course, you can still make a one time donation. If you are willing to give, please complete the donation form and give to your manager. All forms must be turned in to our office by Friday, October 29.

SECOND SHIFT...HELP SAVE THE DAY!

Want to work some extra hours for extra cash? Kathryn is scheduling those willing to work an extra hour or two daily to do prep work for schools seriously understaffed. Please let her know if you would like to get on the schedule.

OPEN POSITIONS

Any permanent employee (including substitutes) interested in any of these positions can apply by emailing a brief letter of interest to Kathy Kane, Director at kkane@valpo.k12.in.us.

Non-employees can apply by completing an online application as an External Applicant here: https://www.applitrack.com/valpo/onlineapp/


FS Tech, VHS, 6 hours

FS Tech, VHS, 4 hours

FS Tech, Cooks Corners, 3.5 hours

FS Tech, Cooks Corners, 5.5 hours

FS Tech, Parkview, 4.5 hours

FS Tech, Memorial, 3.5 hours

FS Tech, BF, 5 hours

FS Tech, BF, 5 hours

FS Tech, TJM, 4 hours

FS Tech, Flint Lake, 4 hours

FS Tech, Heavilin, 4 hours

FS Manager, Satellite VHS, 7 hours

2021-22 Calendar


October 21-22, 2021 1/2 Days, K-8 (Regular Work Days)

November 2, 2021 eLearning Day (Regular Work Day)

November 24-26, 2021 No School Thanksgiving Break (No Work Days)

December 16, 2021 1/2 Day K-12 (Regular Work Day)

Did you miss an issue of Friday Focus?

Did you miss an issue of Friday Focus?

Past issues of Friday Focus are posted on our department website on the Staff Training page here:

https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1221036&type=d&pREC_ID=1455849

Did you miss an issue of Friday Focus?
About Us

About Us

About Us
Our mission is to support academic and lifelong success by nourishing students and building healthy eating habits.
2727 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso, IN 46385 kkane@valpo.k12.in.us (219) 531-3050 valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/nutrition