Friday Focus
February 2, 2024
SCHOOL NUTRITION NEWSLETTER
Message from the Director
Our School Nutrition program is built on four important pillars:
1) Menu
2) Operations
3) Business Administration
4) Communication
Like any structure, all pillars must be equally solid to provide a proper foundation. You may be more comfortable with the Menu and Operations pillars since you work with those principles day to day. The Business and Communication sides are just as crucial and you play an important part! Below is a short and fun exercise called Mashed Potato Cash. See how servers can directly affect the bottom line (which affects your stipend amount). It's a powerful reminder that the more we know, the better we do. This month's issue of Served is devoted to the business side of child nutrition, take a look!
With gratitude,
Kathy
Activity
Menu Planning: Vegetables
Vegetables are a required component for reimbursable meals in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Vegetables may be served as part of a reimbursable meal for the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and to fulfill the combined fruits and vegetables requirement for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Each week, menus must contain specific portion sizes (based on age groups) from five different vegetable subgroups. This helps explains why menu changes must be preapproved so that a vegetable subgroup is not missing due to a substitution.
Happy Groundhog Day!
Promotions
Central Elementary
Purple Potatoes are known as Food of the Gods and strengthen your immune system. These potatoes, originally from South America, were grown by Perkins Good Earth Farm in nearby DeMotte, Indiana.
K-8
Coming soon to all K-8 schools to celebrate Valentine's Day. This one is going to be big!
Heavilin Elementary
Jackie Schutz and her team use a combined approach to promote multiple themes at the same time. Space is dedicated to celebrate Black History month, Valentine's Day (love meter!) and the wonder of milk.
Middle Schools
The Winter Carnival promotion (thanks to Mastermind Deb Johnson!) resulted in one of the highest middle school participation numbers of the year!
Nutrition Education
One of my favorite days of the year is when Little Lamb PreK students visit our kitchen for their first "Field Trip." It's a great day to interact with our future students, their parents and grandparents. Students were able to check out walk in coolers and freezers, see the dish machine in operation and take a tour of the Satellite operation where their food is made. They fell instantly in love with Mrs. Butler and Miss Marich!
Myth or Fact?
Part of keeping our menus in compliance is by meeting the average sodium targets each week. Creativity is definitely required to meet sodium and other targets like calories and saturated fat, while still producing a meal that tastes great, is within budget and one students will purchase. I know you're as proud as I am to be able to say that our meals are not only delicious, they are nutritionally analyzed and healthy!
From Laura
Job Related Injuries
Kitchens can be a dangerous place. As we do our jobs everyday, we follow safety procedures and try to be careful, but an accident can happen at any time. When a job-related injury occurs, employees should always report the incident to their supervisor and be checked out by the school nurse regardless of how minor the injury is. Please understand that this protocol is in place to protect our employees in the event there are complications in the days following the incident and to ensure that the injury is covered under worker’s compensation.
An employee has the right to refuse to be treated/evaluated by the school nurse if they feel the injury is too minor. If this happens, the employee must immediately fill out and sign a “WORKERS’ COMPENSATION REFUSAL OF MEDICAL EVALUATION/TREATMENT STATEMENT'' describing how the incident occurred and the injury sustained. This form will be signed by the employee, the supervisor, and then reviewed and signed by the Food Service Director before being sent to the VCS Human Resources and Benefits Coordinator.
More information can be found on the VCS website under the “Department” heading and by clicking on Benefits and Accident Reporting. https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1220681&type=d&pREC_ID=1455804
There are a variety of topics available for your reference on the VCS website under the “Department” heading that you can browse through at your own convenience. If you ever have any questions, please always feel free to contact the Administrative Team.
Be safe!
Industry News: Live from the Field
Watch how current growing conditions in Arizona and California are affecting Romaine crops. The desert growing region has received upwards of 3/4 to over 1 inch of rainfall. The Markon harvesting and processing crews are working to keep boxes as clean and dry as possible despite poor field conditions.
Need to Print Your W-2?
Getting ready to prepare your taxes and need your W-2? Payroll has posted your form in Skyward and it's convenient to access and print from anywhere. Follow these easy instructions from Laura.
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, VHS, 5 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 16, 2024 eLearning Weather Make Up Day (Regular Work Day)
February 19, 2024 Presidents' Day (No Work Day)
March 4 - 8, 2024 National School Breakfast Week
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