Friday Focus
March 1, 2024
SCHOOL NUTRITION NEWSLETTER
Message from the Director
Today is National Peanut Butter Lovers Day! Peanut Butter has been a childhood favorite since its inception in 1895. It comes as no surprise that we serve over 30,000 Uncrustable PBJs each year at our three secondary schools. Inventing modern day peanut butter is credited to the cereal pioneer, Dr. John Kellogg, in Battle Creek, Michigan, just 130 miles from here. It became a household staple as Americans conserved food for the war effort during World War I by eating peanut butter as part of "Meatless Mondays." Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN, Health and Nutrition Expert for NBC’s Today Show and founder of Nourish Snacks is a believer in the health benefits of peanut butter and writes, “Peanut butter is loaded with so many good, health-promoting nutrients, including vitamin E, magnesium, iron, selenium and vitamin B6. Research shows that people who regularly eat nuts and nut butter, including peanut butter, are less likely to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes." The key to peanut butter is moderation because it is calorically dense. Natural versions of peanut butter are generally lower in sodium and higher in healthy fats. The other area of concern is to watch for those with peanut allergies which can be life threatening. While I have to admit I have a weakness for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, my other favorite snack is fresh apple slices with peanut butter. Laura brought in Peanut Butter Protein Balls to share and I think it may be my new favorite! The trick will be how to eat just one. 🥜🙃
With gratitude,
Kathy
Congratulations!
Olga Bonvissuto
Flint Lake Cafe Manager Olga Bonvissuto completed the 40 hour IDOE Manager's Certificate. Even though English is a second language to her, Olga dove right into the course and conquered it! Your attitude and determination are amazing qualities, Olga, and we're proud of you!
Customer Service Shout Out
Praise for the VHS School Nutrition Team
On Monday, VHS hosted 235 students from surrounding school districts as part of the Porter Co. Leadership Conference. We were tasked with feeding them lunch. Instead of doing a catered meal which we did pre-Covid, we created a 4th lunch period at 12:45 to bring the students in and serve them regular options in the Hungry Viking. It was a huge success! Students told Laura they wanted to transfer to Valpo for the food. 😋 One of the event's coordinators wrote, "Everyone LOVED the food and was greatly impressed with the quality and the friendliness of the staff. Thank you so much for everything!"
What a nice testimonial to the VHS team for their customer service and quality food preparation! Thank you to everyone for staying late to finish the day. You exhibited teamwork at its finest.
Laura's No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls
This recipe makes about 24. Laura uses the blender to mix ingredients to a smooth consistency. She also likes to use mini M&Ms. If you are concerned about sodium, omit the salt and use a natural, lower sodium peanut butter.
INGREDIENTS
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
½ cup + 2 TBSP honey
1 ⅓ cups old fashioned oats (rolled oats)
½ cup vanilla protein powder
⅛ tsp salt (optional)
½ cup mini dark chocolate chips or mini M&Ms
Mix all ingredients until well combined. If desired, oats may be blended to a powdery consistency prior to mixing.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a small cookie scoop (1 TBSP) place mixture onto a lined baking sheet.
Place cookie sheet in the freezer for approximately ½ - ¾ hours or until firm to the touch. Transfer protein balls to an airtight freezer-safe container. When stored in the freezer, these will be good up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 22-24 Serving size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 160; Total Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 2g; Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g; Cholesterol: 1mg
Sodium: 92 mg; Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber:2g; Sugar: 9g; Protein 6g
See website for recipe variations: https://buildyourbite.com/energy-balls/
Nutrition Education
National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually every March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. National Nutrition Month started in 1973 as National Nutrition Week, and it became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing interest in nutrition. Want to create a promotion around National Nutrition Month? Check out these 50 ideas to get started:
National School Breakfast Week
March 4-8, 2024
National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success. This special observance during the first week of March celebrates the national School Breakfast Program and the many ways it gives kids a great start every day. It's not often that we create a menu item that works across the board for K-12, but the new high protein, low fat yogurt parfait does just that and I'm excited to see how it's received. We're also adding another protein option at VHS, the Breakfast Flatbread with a savory white sauce, eggs, cheese and bacon.
Industry News: General Mills
Meet K-12 Corporate Chef, Heather Swan. She is excited to work with K-12 operators to help create menus that students will love! Her background is in school nutrition so she knows exactly the types of challenges we face. We get to test their Parfait Pro product next week making yogurt parfaits. What do you think about a (blenderless) Smoothie Day for a lunch promotion? Take a quick look at her idea to pair the new caramel mini cinni with a smoothie for a lunch entree. It seems like smoothies could be made in advance and lidded for easy service.
Promotions
Leap Year Lunch
K-12 Students enjoyed almost 4,000 frog pond Jello cups to celebrate Leap Day 2024. Thank you for taking the extra leap to fit this fun treat into your regular production!
1,016 Frogs Invade VHS Kitchen
Briana and her Deli team worked extra hard to fit in over 1,000 Jello frog ponds in addition to regular production without "toadally" losing their sense of humor. 🐸
Thank a Farmer Thursday at Central Elementary
This week's local harvest is Capriole Goat Cheese from Fischer Farms in St. Anthony, Indiana. Rachel is using fresh spinach, strawberries and goat cheese to create gorgeous salad samples!
VHS Taste Testing
Myth or Fact?
From Ashley
To sauce....or not to sauce.....that is the question. Recently I have been trialing recipes for boneless wings to add to the secondary menus (and who knows, maybe elementary!). We have found the perfect chicken product and I have been trying many different sauces from Hot Honey, Buffalo, Honey BBQ, and BBQ, all of which are just delicious. BUT! We are at odds with to sauce or not to sauce! Should we toss the wings in a BBQ and a Buffalo sauce for service at 6-12? Or should we offer them "naked" with a few sauce dipping cup options. So I ask you, my wonderful employees, to complete the following survey to submit your vote and help settle our debate!
I think students would like boneless chicken wings served
From Laura
VHS Homework Help
Do you have a child that attends Valparaiso High School? Study Tables are available for any student needing assistance with homework, studying for a test or working on a project. See the flyer below for more information.
How to Use Skyward Employee Access
Do you need help or a refresher on how to log in to Skyward Employee Access? The file linked below will take you step by step (with pictures) through this easy process. You need to be able to log in to Skyward Employee Access to request time off, print your check or tax forms. When you view your check, you should review the deductions and be sure they are correct based on what you chose during your enrollment appointment with American Fidelity.
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
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/
FS Tech, VHS, 6 hours
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
February 29, 2024 Leap Year Day
March 4 - 8, 2024 National School Breakfast Week
March 25 - 29, 2024 Spring Break (No Work Days)
April 1, 2024 eLearning Weather Make Up Day (Regular Work Day)
2024-25 Calendar
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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