Friday Focus
December 15, 2023
SCHOOL NUTRITION NEWSLETTER
Message from the Director
Thank you for your generosity! Over 15 employees purchased gifts for our Angel Tree family. You are creating the most amazing Christmas ever for them. We've often heard that "it's better to give than to receive," but researchers have discovered that giving is actually linked to happiness, causing neural pathways to feel pleasure or a "warm glow." Giving doesn't need to be financial, either. You can give your time and volunteer or spend it with someone all alone this holiday season. When was the last time you deliberately thanked or complimented a coworker? Making cookies? Take a minute to package up a few and put them in your mailbox for your mail carrier. Or what about that poor Amazon driver? Are you decluttering over the holiday break? Good for you for getting organized! Now...consider donating your unneeded items to the Caring Place. Small gestures like these not only increase your happiness, they build self esteem. I think the best and most valuable part of giving is that it causes us to turn away from our own ego and focus our attention on others. Enjoy every minute of this beautiful holiday season. You are a wonderful gift to our students!
With gratitude,
Kathy
best wishes!
Two senior and valuable employees are leaving this month. 😭😭😭Amber Marrs, a 17+ year veteran is retiring. She is passionate about the food she prepares and has a perfect eye for color. She planned to retire last June, but stayed on long enough to help us open the Viking Cafe. We couldn't have done it without her! Amy Schultz is also a 17 year veteran who is leaving for an excellent job opportunity working with data (although we think she should consider a career in modeling). Amy serves in a leadership role in the manager's absence and is beloved by students. For those of you here before Covid, you will remember Amy as always winning the perfect attendance award. Join me in wishing them well as they embark on new adventures! Two new production leads will have big shoes to fill!
Do you listen to podcasts? I first tried it on a flight and loved it. Now, I can have a podcast play in the background while I'm cooking or listen while driving. The School Nutrition Association (SNA) offers interesting and relevant podcasts. Check it out!
Listen here: https://schoolnutrition.org/news-publications/school-food-for-thought-podcast/
better than pinterest!
Jackie and the clever Heavilin team upcycled cardboard pizza rounds into ornaments and a snowman! Debbie Johnson and Team BF brought outdoor inflatables inside to welcome their students. I love their creative ideas to use common items in a different way!
mistletoe
Mistletoe has been linked to kissing, romance and fertility since ancient times. But, did you know this plant is actually a parasite? It attaches to the branches of a woody tree or shrub and siphons its water and food, but does not commonly kill the host. Mistletoe never touches the ground or soil. Some mistletoe spread their seeds by exploding. Water pressure builds in the fruit until it ruptures sending seeds as far as 20 feet away and at speeds up to 30 miles per hour! Many types of mistletoe, however, rely on birds to spread their seed. The Celtic Druids are among the first people known to practice a tradition with mistletoe, but they didn't kiss under it. They believed mistletoe had sacred powers including the ability to heal illnesses, protect against nightmares and even predict the future. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe started in ancient Greece, during the festival of Saturnalia and later in marriage ceremonies, because of the plant's association with fertility. During the Roman era, enemies at war would reconcile their differences under the mistletoe, which to them represented peace. Romans also decorated their houses and temples with mistletoe in midwinter to please their gods.
taste testing results
Results are in from the orange chicken trial at Cooks Corners. Orange chicken will be added to the menu on January 10 in place of the soft pretzel and cheese cup. Thank you to Amber Cruz and Alyssa Glass for the extra work involved. This entree will initially be served with white rice, but what about serving it over riced cauliflower, or at least offering it to students with milk allergies? Who wants to test this out? The recipe is below.
middle school medieval lunch
Each year, both middle schools celebrate Feudal Day and study the social class system in Europe during the Middle Ages. We connect the menu with the classroom by serving foods authentic to the time. No silverware allowed!
thank a farmer thursday
from ashley
Happy Friday!!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to everyone who participated in our Angel Tree program for the second year in a row. We were able to provide an abundance of gifts for our angels. You all went above and beyond!!
Only 4 more work days until a nice long break! Lots of changes coming up that we are preparing for, next week and for our return from break. Please reach out to me if you have ANY questions at all, or any suggestions you would like to share! A reminder that you are able to work the following days during the holiday break, but you must let me know in advance. Friday, December 22, Wednesday, December 27, Thursday, December 28, Friday, December 29, Wednesday, January 3, Thursday January 4, Friday January 5.
INDUSTRY NEWS: American Dairy Association Indiana
In 1936, Indy 500 driver Louis Meyer requested buttermilk to quench his thirst after the race. The American Dairy Association of Indiana continued this tradition and The Drink of Milk has since evolved from a thirst satisfying beverage to a ceremonial hand-off with an Indiana dairy farmer giving the iconic, glass bottle of milk to the winner with over 250,000 people watching in-person and more worldwide. Learn more here: https://winnersdrinkmilk.com/community/milk-tradition/
Special Donation for YOU!
Our HR Coordinator, Nicole Biehn, made a special Viking Hunger Hero donation by paying for all school nutrition staff, including substitutes, to wear jeans on Thursday, December 21. What a kind and thoughtful idea that not only helps students, but is something special for you. You can wear holiday shirts with your jeans on this day, too. Thank you, Nicole!
financial check up
Valparaiso Community Schools continually strives to offer and educate staff about our unique and advantageous benefits. One such benefit is our elective retirement savings plan(s) that employees can utilize to help provide financial security at retirement. To ensure you receive information about this benefit, we are pleased to provide you with a newsletter (below) that has been prepared by the compliance administrator for our plan(s), U.S. OMNI & TSACG Compliance Services (OMNI/TSACG). In addition to providing information about our plan(s), OMNI/TSACG also offers a Financial Wellness website that covers areas such as managing personal finances, college funding options, and how to navigate Social Security when the time comes. You will find calculators, videos, and informative content on various topics to help guide you in your planning process.
free employee assistance program
Your Perspectives EAP is here to provide confidential, no-cost support for you and your family 24/7.
Call or text 800.456.6327 to schedule an appointment with a counselor or contact us for in-the-moment support.
Use the “Live Chat” feature on your Perspectives Online Portal to instant message with a counselor 7 a.m.-9 p.m. CST Mon.-Fri. (Remember to use your unique Access Code, and your Password is perspectives
Here’s how to access your EAP:
Access Code: valpo
Resources
Digital Resources
Open Positions
Non-employees can apply by completing an online application as an External Applicant here: https://www.applitrack.com/valpo/onlineapp/
Production Lead, TJM, 6.5 hours**new**
FS Tech, Heavilin, 4 hours
FS Tech, BF Middle, 4.5 hours
FS Tech, Central, 4 hours
FS Tech, VHS, 4 hours
2023-24 Calendar
December 21, 2023 Half Day K-12 (Regular Work Day)
December 22 - January 5, 2024 Holiday Break (No Work Days)
January 8, 2024 Classes resume (Regular Work Day)
January 15, 2024 MLK Day (No Work Day)
February 16, 2024 Mid Winter Break (No Work Day)
February 19, 2024 Presidents' Day (No Work Day)
March 25 - 29, 2024 Spring Break (No Work Days)
2024-25 Calendar
Did you miss an issue of Friday Focus?
https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1221036&type=d&pREC_ID=1455849
About Us
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Email: kkane@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/nutrition
Location: 2727 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso, IN 46385
Phone: (219) 531-3050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValpoSchoolFood
Twitter: @ValpoSchoolFood