THE HCS CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM
NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2022
DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
Hello Everyone!
We would like to welcome back all students, faculty, administrators, and staff. We are excited to start another school year in Child Nutrition. It is business as usual in CNP and all of the USDA programs are currenlty underway. There have been a lot of changes from prior year regarding the USDA parameters and regulations but we will make the necessary adjustments and share with the Huntsville City School community. We hope everyone has a wonderful start to the 2022 - 2023 school year!
- H.Ward
Inspirational Quote of the Month
“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today."
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
ANNOUNCEMENTS!
CNP is NOW HIRING!!
CNP Worker
- CNP Supervisor
To apply for a position with Huntsville City Schools, you must complete an online application with the Alabama State Department of Education. Just Click the Link below to start the process
Child Nutrition Program Kickoff for School Year 2022 - 2023 at Lee High School
About our team..
10 important back to school tips for parents in 2022
Summer vacations are coming to an end, and it’s time for kids to head back to school. A school is not only a place of learning for children, but also a place for socializing and enjoyment. So, while the anticipation of returning to school after a long holiday may excite some, it may not excite others. If parents are calm, helpful, and comforting, their children will feel confident and capable. Listed below are 10 important back to school tips for parents to assist their children in adjusting to their new surroundings.
1. Prepare and plan ahead of time
One of the most crucial back-to-school tips for parents is to first make a list of items that contains all of the necessary clothing, lunch boxes, backpacks, and materials that can be purchased ahead of time. Make sure you don’t go shopping at the last minute.
2. Plan bedtime and wake-up routine in advance
Starting a bedtime routine two weeks prior the start of school is an important back-to-school tip for parents. Preparing children for bedtimes will help them stick to a regular sleeping routine and will relieve you of one concern. Make sure your kid receives a minimum 8-10 hours of sleep each night.
3. Prepare a weekly meal planner and to-do list
The easiest strategy to ensure a stress-free morning routine is to prepare a to-do list for an entire week including the meal preparation,your kids outfits, and keeping a watch on your kids weekly school time-table. This will save your and your kids last minute hustle bustle.
4. Prepare a safety first mindset
The safety first approach is a crucial aspect of preparing your children for the first day of school. Make sure your children are aware of the surroundings as well as their own physical safety. The parents should teach their younger ones their name, how to spell it, their phone number, and the phone number of a responsible adult.
5. Communication is the key
Communicate with your kids to know their sentiments, and how you can offer help to make their first day of school a memorable one. This discussion will make your kid’s back to school journey cheerful.
6. Meet the new teachers
It is critical to visit your child’s school at least one week before the start of the new school year. Allow your child to become acquainted with the new classrooms and new teachers. Try to find a way to meet with the teachers one-on-one.
7. Discuss bullying with your children
Teach your kids to deal with bullies by reporting them to a teacher, counselor, or yourself. Explain to them the harmful effects caused by bullying. Make sure they respect their batch mates.
8. Setup a storage unit
Setup a storage unit by choosing an appropriate location to store everything relevant to school, such as your kids outfits, bags, and school accessories. This method will help you and your kids to locate the things whenever needed. Allow your kids to stock the school materials and keep it clutter-free.
9. Create a pleasant environment at home
It is very important to create a friendly and positive atmosphere for doing homework once school starts. Set up a permanent study room for your kids which is free from distractions and provides a peaceful and positive learning environment.
10. Create a list of enjoyable after school activities for kids
Allow your kids to participate in innovative after-school activities in addition to their homework to keep them entertained. Playing board games, creating artwork etc. are some examples.
Final Takeaway
Back to school brings hundreds of new experiences, including new friends, teachers, clothes, and classrooms, and it’s natural for children and parents to be apprehensive about returning to school. These 10 back to school tips listed above will be helpful for parents as well as their kids to switch from a holiday mode to school mode.
Welcome Back!
First week of School
DID YOU KNOW?
FDA food safety testing program for berries to resume
In August, the FDA plans to resume a testing program suspended during the pandemic that evaluates frozen strawberries, raspberries and blackberries for hepatitis A and norovirus. The FDA will use the information to develop a "food safety prevention strategy to identify measures that can be taken to limit or prevent contamination from occurring throughout the berry supply chain" and identify where more research is needed, according to the agency.
Full Story: Food Safety News
SNA: Food insecurity is a concern for the fall
Food insecurity among students could increase in the coming school year, after federal waivers that allowed for free school meals for all students expire, officials say. "It shouldn't be a privilege; it should be available as part of the school day for all students along with textbooks and the ride to school on the bus and everything else," said Lori Adkins, president of the School Nutrition Association. "We're definitely going to continue to lobby for and work towards meals for all students at no cost."
Full Story: The 19th
RD: Different oat types have similar nutrition profiles
Registered dietitian Natalie Rizzo says different types of oats -- steel-cut, rolled or instant -- have similar nutrition profiles but differ in how they are made. All oats contain complex carbohydrates, are packed with fiber and provide a good source of plant protein and iron.
Full Story: Eating Well
CNP EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Mrs. Belinda Anderson, CNP Worker at Monte Sano Elementary
Mrs. Belinda Anderson has been employed with Huntsville City Schools for over 15 years. Belinda is originally from Huntsville, Alabama and she is married. She has one daughter named Emilee. Belinda describes herself as a people person who is upbeat and a positive thinker. Before living in Huntsville, Belinda resided in Scottsboro, Alabama.
Before working at Huntsville City Schools, Belinda was employed at First Alabama Bank, Regions Bank, and Redstone Federal Credit Union. She also worked for Dr. Griggs as an appointment scheduler for surgeries. When Belinda is not working, she enjoys having fun with her family and friends. She also likes to go canoeing and engage in card games. Belinda expresses that the highlight of her career is feeding the sweet children at her school.
Belinda says that she has two dogs and two cats. Her favorite food to eat is Mexican cuisine. She also feels that she is very good at making people laugh and holding conversations. Belinda also tells us that she likes all types of music except Bluegrass. She mentions that her co-workers know everything about her as she is an open book.
Belinda states that she remains in the Child Nutrition Program because of the many children that she gets the opportunity to feed. She also says that if she were not working in Child Nutrition that she would be working back in the banking industry. Her favorite hobby is reading, and her favorite sport is College football where roots for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Belinda implies that Child Nutrition is important because it makes sure that many children get something to eat during the school day. She also mentions that it allows children to get the necessary nutrients that they need to grow.
Belinda hopes to one day learn the ability to perform and understand sign language. In the next five years, Belinda plans to retire from Huntsville City Schools. Belinda states that success is measured by the outcome of the accomplishments that you have achieved
Location: Monte Sano Elementary School, Monte Sano Boulevard Southeast, Huntsville, AL, USA
Welcome To The Team!
Derrick Butler
Clarence Davis
Shirley Dixon
Lakeisha Fergus-Dyett
Barbara Hereford
Ali Irons
Victoria Johnson
Teri Lands
Mellissa Lee
Jean Mason
Doris Matthews
Shantina MCaulley
Delhia McConnell
Kysmelita McFadden
Candice Morgan
Dorothy Taylor
Tequisha Pendleton
Ashley Powers
ServSafe Manager's Certification
- Donna Muhammad
- Emily Battle
- Gladys Hassan
- Diann Bentley
- Pam Majors
- Kim Riley
- Mirtha Petty
- Jennifer Jones
- Shanda Milton
100 Health Score
Employees of the Month
Maria Boyzo, CNP Worker at the Academy for Science & Foreign Language (ASFL)
- CNP Supervisor Lashunda Freeman
Roshun Langford-Manning, CNP Supervisor at Providence Elementary
"Roshun is a great team player. She keeps on going even in the face of being severely short staffed while still operating two lines. She is like the Energizer Bunny…,..she keeps going and going and going. Keep up the good work Roshun."
- Area CNP Supervisor Donna West
BIRTHDAYS
Connie Harper 8/1
Diann Bentley 8/19
Kim Riley 8/20
Lamanda Thompson-Holloway 8/22
Michelle Martin 8/24
Pam Majors 8/27
SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES
Rhonda Butler 25 years
Emily Battle 24 years
Joyce Collier 23 years
Rene Beasley 21 years
Annette Paul 20 years
Vertricia Burgess 18 years
Lashunda Freeman 17 years
Janet Sharp 17 years
Patricia Jefferson 17 years
Gladys Hassan 16 years
Jackie Pruitt 16 years
Diann Bentley 10 years
Ron Ryce 3 years
Elsa Santos 3 years
Maria King 3 years
Luz Arnold 3 years
Michelle Hill 3 years
Amanda Jansen 3 years
CONTACT US!
Website: https://www.huntsvillecityschools.org/departments/child-nutrition-program
Location: 200 White Street Southeast, Huntsville, AL, USA
Phone: 256 428-6955
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillecitycnp
Twitter: @HUNTSVILLECITY1