Friday Focus

September 10, 2021

SCHOOL NUTRITION NEWSLETTER

Message from the Director

Message from the Director

I vividly remember where I was when the events of 911 unfolded. I had just finished visiting a classroom and was walking down the hall when a teacher motioned for me to come in to her room. The TV was on and I watched in disbelief as the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center right before my eyes. Almost frozen by shock, I stood there speechless. After digesting what happened, I returned to my office and explained what I saw to staff. Texting and instant information wasn't a thing then. So much was unknown. In the days that followed, many heroes were born as the nation came together. I had the opportunity to visit the 911 Memorial in New York several years ago and it was emotional. And now, here we are again, coming together to fight the pandemic and the crippling effects it has had on our industry causing staff shortages and supply chain disruption. It makes me proud, as an American, to see how strong we can be when we are united and work together. The sheer determination and grit you display every single day is what keeps this program operating and is what makes you all heroes.


With gratitude,

Kathy

Message from the Director

Meal or No Meal?

A reminder to keep on top of what makes a LUNCH reimbursable. Be sure you know the meal pattern for the grade level appropriate to your school. We use the K-8 meal pattern for all schools except the high school; they use the 9-12 meal pattern.

Students DO NOT have to take any specific food like milk or the entree, the choice is theirs.

Students DO have to take at least a 1/2 cup serving of fruit or vegetables.

Students DO have to take full servings of at least two components.


The green column in the charts below tell you what the daily "full" servings of components are.

For example, a full serving of grains for K-8 is a 1 oz equivqlent and for 9-12, it's 2 oz equivalents. Remember, students must choose, at the minimum, FULL servings of two components plus 1/2 cup of either a fruit or vegetable to be considered a reimbursable meal.

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And the answer is...

K-8: 1 full component of milk + 1 full component of grain + 1/2 cup fruit = MEAL!

9-12: 1 full component of milk + 1/2 of a component of grain + 1/2 cup fruit = NO MEAL!


The daily full serving of grain for K-8 is 1 oz. The daily full serving of grain for 9-12 is 2 oz.

Indiana Virtual Farm Tours

Did you know that there are 800 dairy farms in Indiana? The American Dairy Association has created a series of "virtual" farm tours. Check out their YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/user/IndianaDairy/playlists

Below is a tour of a dairy farm in Plymouth, Indiana.

Indiana Virtual Farm Tour: Session 2

September is Food Safety Month

I know you are the best food safety professionals ever when you are at work, but what about at home? The same rules apply and should be shared with everyone in your household. As a food safety expert, you will be teaching your family important lessons.

Check out Food Safety Month tips and resources here: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/education-month.html

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Welcome to our School Nutrition Family!

OPEN POSITIONS

Any permanent employee (including substitutes) interested in any of these positions can apply by emailing a 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, 4.5 hours

FS Tech VHS, 4 hours

FS Tech Cooks Corners, 3.5 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

Production Lead Flint Lake, 5.5 hours

2021-22 Calendar

September 24, 2021 1/2 Day K-12 (Regular Work Day)

October 11-12, 2021 No School, Fall Break (No Work Days)

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)

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