Food Service

MySchoolBucks

Marcellus Central Schools is proud to offer MySchoolBucks online payment service.  This service provides a quick and easy way to add money to your student (or adult) meal account using a credit/debit card or electronic check.  

If you choose to utilize MySchoolBucks you can view recent purchases, check balances, and set up low balance alerts for FREE!  (A program fee of $3.25 will be applied when making payments/deposits).  For feeless options see information on cash and personal check below

MySchoolBucks provides:

• Convenience:  Available 24/7 on the web or through a smartphone mobile app.
• Efficiency:  Make payments for all of your students, even if they attend different schools within the district.  Eliminate the need for your students to take money to school.
• Control:  Set low balance alerts, view account activity, recurring/automatic payments and more!
• Flexibility:  Make payments using credit/debit cards and electronic checks.
• Security:  MySchoolBucks adheres to the highest security standards including PCI and CISP.
• Enrollment:
  • Go to MySchoolBucks.com and register for a free account.  Student IDs are required to open a MySchoolBucks account.  Please refer to the top of your student's schedule.  If you can't locate the student ID please contact the Food Service Director at (315) 673-6010 or at amitchell@marcellusschools.org
  • Add the student(s) by using their school name and student ID.
  • Make a payment to the student account(s) with a debit/credit card or electronic check.
  • A program fee of $3.25 will be applied.  You will have the opportunity to review any fees and cancel if you choose before you are charged.
  • To make a deposit, payments made through MySchoolBucks will appear on your bank/credit card statement as the name of the school district where your student attends school.

For MySchoolBucks technical issues, please contact directly:

• support@myschoolbucks.com
• 1-855-832-5226 or visit myschoolbucks.com and click on Help

Personal Checks

If sending a check to fund a meal account(s), please make the check payable to Marcellus Central Schools.  Please write the name of the student(s) on the memo line.  Improperly filled out checks will not be accepted.  We apologize for any inconvenience. There are no fees for processing a personal check.

Cash

When dropping off cash at the main office where your student attends school:  Please place the money in a sealed envelope labeled "Lunch Account" with the student(s) name(s) on the outside of the envelope.  Cash may be sent with the student and deposited during any cafeteria transaction. There are no processing fees for cash deposits.

Although not required by law, because of the District’s participation in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, these procedures establish a system to allow students to charge reimbursable meals.  Meal charging is a courtesy that the Marcellus Central School District extends to its students in the event that a child does not have available funds to purchase a school meal.  Although the opportunity for charging of meals is afforded to students, parent(s)/guardian(s) should ensure accounts are adequately funded.  A la carte items such as milk, snacks, ice cream or second entrees can not be charged.  More information can be found at Helpful Links under Food Service Account Charging & Meal Shaming Regulation.

We would appreciate your cooperation in making sure your student's account balance remains positive.  If you are facing a unique situation or financial hardship, please contact the District Business Official at (315) 673-6001 and/or complete a Free and Reduced Price Meal Application for review.

Meal application and consent forms are available under Helpful Links.  Please mail the completed application to the address on the form or drop off drop off at any school main office, cafeteria, with a teacher or at the business office, as soon as possible. 

There is no grace period.  Unless the student’s parent or guardian has specifically provided written permission to the school to withhold a meal, all students may charge a reimbursable breakfast and/or reimbursable lunch when a negative balance exists, but are not permitted to purchase (with either cash or charge) snack/a la carte items as long as a negative balance exists on their cafeteria account.  School district employees will not:

• subject students to distress or embarrassment.
• publicly identify or stigmatize a student who cannot pay for a meal or who owes a meal debt by any means including, but not limited to, requiring that a student wear a wristband or hand strap.
• require a student who cannot pay for a meal or who owes a meal debt to do chores or other work to pay for meals.
• require that a student throw away a meal after it has been served because of the student’s inability to pay for the meal or because money is owed for earlier meals.
• take any action directed at a pupil to collect unpaid school meal fees.
• Serve an alternative meal
• use a debt collector to collect unpaid school meal fees from a parent or guardian.
• discuss any outstanding meal debt in the presence of other students.
• If, at the end of the school year, the District allows students to accumulate charges and those charges are not paid, the school will subsidize the nonprofit school food service account for all unpaid meals by June 30th of each year.  The subsidy will be from the general fund.

Monitoring Account Purchases

We strongly encourage signing up for a  MySchoolBucks.com  account to view recent purchases, balance information, and receive low balance alerts for FREE!  Fees are only applied when opting to utilize the online payment option.

Purchasing Restrictions

Please contact the Food Service Director at (315) 673-6010 or amitchell@marcellusschools.org to discuss or request a purchasing restriction on a student meal account.  Signed, written requests may be sent in with your student and given to our cashiers or dropped off at any main office.  Please include the date, student(s) name(s), your signature and contact information.  Account restrictions are administered and maintained by the Food Service Director, and will remain in effect until the parent/guardian makes a request in writing or by contacting the Food Service Director.

The following protocols are to be used to communicate with parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding low balances to assist them in ensuring that their child’s accounts are adequately funded:

• The district utilizes a computer system that allows for parents to receive e-mail notifications when their child’s balance drops below an amount specified by the parent.
• The district encourages parents to take advantage of this feature, and provides information via the district’s web site and via periodic communications throughout the year.
• The district also utilizes a computerized messenger system that places a phone call every Tuesday and Thursday to parents/guardians for any negative balances greater than $2.00.  The system will continue to call every Thursday until the negative balance is less than $2.00.
• On a weekly, biweekly and/or monthly basis, the Food Service Director will generate a list of negative balances exceeding the value of four reimbursable meals and forward to the building principal for their use in addressing concerns regarding negative balances.

Parents or guardians of students experiencing a negative balance will be provided with assistance in establishing eligibility for free or reduced price meals for their children.  The district will make every attempt to determine if a student is directly certified to be eligible for free or reduced price meals.  For those that are not directly certified, the school district will make at least two attempts, not including the application or instructions included in a school enrollment packet, to reach the student’s parent or guardian and have the parent or guardian fill out a meal application.  The school district will determine if there are other issues within the household that have caused the child to have insufficient funds to purchase a school meal and offer any other assistance that is appropriate.

If the school district becomes aware that a student who has not submitted a meal application is eligible for free or reduced price meals, the school district shall complete and file an application for the student.

School liaisons required for homeless, foster, and migrant students shall coordinate with the Food Service department to make sure such students receive free school meals, in accordance with federal law.

All adults, including staff and faculty of the Marcellus Central School District, are expected to pay for meals at the time of service using a pre-paid account or cash, and keep their meal account adequately funded.  If you do not have a meal account, and would like one,  please contact the Food Service Director at (315) 673-6010 or amitchell@marcellusschools.org.

Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in the Child Nutrition Programs

General Information

We are committed to keeping all of our students healthy and safe.  School Districts must make substitutions for students who are considered to have a disability under 7CFR15b.3 and whose disability restricts their diet 7CFR210.10(m). Covered under disability are the following:

Major Life Activities:

• Seeing, Hearing, Walking, Speaking, Learning, Eating, Breathing
• Caring for oneself; Performing manual tasks; Seeing, Hearing, Speaking, Eating, Sleeping, Walking, Standing, Lifting, Bending, Bathing, Reading, Learning, Thinking, Communicating, Working

Major Bodily Functions

• Digestive Immune System, Respiratory, Circulatory, Neurological/Brain
• Functions of the Immune System. Normal Cell Growth, Digestive, Bowel, Bladder, Neurological, Brain, Respiratory, Circulatory, Endocrine, Reproductive

Reasonable Modification

The District will make reasonable accommodations to those children whose disabilities restrict their diets. Such as providing substitutions or modifications in their regular meal patterns. These meal substitutions will be offered at no extra charge.

However, School Food Service is not required to provide meal services to students with disabilities when the meal service is not normally available to the general student body, unless a meal service is required under the student's individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 Accommodation Plan as mandated by a physician's written instructions.

Modifications will be made to accommodate a disability and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Health concerns or preferences that a child eat a specific diet because the Parent/Guardian believes it is healthier for the child are not disabilities and do not require a modification.

The modification provided:

• Should be related to the disability or limitations caused by the disability
• Does not have to be the modification requested
• Must (generally) be free of charge
• Should be implemented even when the person requesting the modification believes more should be done.

Many food allergies fall under the definition of disability. in order to be considered for a real modification plan, a medical statement is required, which can be completed by a state licensed professional. The medical statement form is included in Appendix A of this plan.

The School Nurse may request food substitutions, at their discretion, for individual children who do not have a disability, but who are medically certified as having a special medical or dietary need. Such determinations are made only on a case-by-case basis. This provision covers those children who have food intolerances or allergies, but do not have life threatening reactions (anaphylactic reactions) when exposed to the food(s) to which they have problems.

Medical Statement Requirements

• Provides information about impairment-a diagnosis is not required
• States how the diet is restricted
• States how to accommodate the condition

If the medical statement relates to a food allergy, the following are three essential components:

1. The food(s) to be avoided [allergen(s)]
2. Brief explanation of how exposure affects the student
3. Recommended substitute(s)

Parent/Guardian Notification

The District will provide notification to the Parent/Guardian of its meal modification procedures via the following sources:

1. Student Registration: When students first register with the District, either in kindergarten or at any other time.
2. District Website: The website will include information on meal modification procedures.
3. By Request: The meal modification plan will be available to all Patents/Guardians by request from a teacher or building Principal.

Where to send requests for Meal Accommodation

Please submit medical statements to the school in which the student attends.

School Nurse contact information:

• Katherine Lawrence, KC Heffernan - (315) 673-6105 klawrence@marcellusschools.org
• Mary Hughes, CS Driver Middle - (315) 673-6205 mhughes@marcellusschools.org
• Amy Steigerwald, Marcellus Senior High - (315) 673-6305 asteigerwald@marcellusschools.org

Appeal Procedure

If a meal modification request is denied, an appeal can be directed to the building Principal in charge of the building in which the student attends.

A response will be provided and every attempt will be made to provide a prompt and equitable resolution. If resolution can not be reached, a Parent/Guardian may file a grievance if they believe a violation has occurred regarding the request for a reasonable modification. They may request and participate in an impartial hearing to resolve the grievance, be represented by counsel, and have the opportunity to examine the complete record. After the hearing, the Parent/Guardian will receive notice of the final decision and a procedure for review (i.e., right to appeal the hearing decision).

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf(link is external), from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov(link sends e-mail)
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

 

Information on Summer EBT

Beginning in Summer 2024, New York State is implementing Summer EBT, a new federal program to help low-income households with children purchase food over the summer when school is out of session and children can no longer rely on access to free/reduced price school meals.

The Summer EBT benefit of $120 per eligible child will be issued on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that the family can use just like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase eligible food items at SNAP participating grocery stores, farmers markets, and other retailers. The new program is in addition to free meals that children ages 18 and younger can get at summer meal sites in their communities.

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is working closely with the New York State Education Department (NYSED) on coordinated implementation of this program.

Summer EBT food benefits will not be issued before July 2024. New York State is still working to finalize a timeline for when Summer EBT food benefits will be issued. Eligible children will receive benefits at different times, depending on whether they attend public or private school, and whether they receive benefits automatically or if they are determined eligible through an application.

Please visit OTDA.NY.gov/SummerEBT for the must updated program information.

How Families will be notified about their Summer EBT Benefits:

Beginning in late June 2024 and through the Summer, OTDA will send a personalized communication to parents/guardians of each child who is automatically enrolled. This communication will be mailed to the current address on file and will be reinforced with an email or text message, depending on what contact information is on file at the time. This communication will inform families about Summer EBT and the specific payment method for their child’s Summer EBT benefit. If a child’s benefit is scheduled to be issued to an existing EBT card and a replacement benefit card is needed, the letter will include specific instructions in how to request a replacement card. For children who completed an application on or after July 1, a letter will be emailed or mailed to inform the parent/guardian of the eligibility determination, timing, and payment method for the benefit (existing EBT card or new EBT card).

Once benefits are issued, families will have 122 days from the date they are issued to use the benefits. All unused benefits expire after 122 days.

 The most comprehensive information on Summer EBT can be found at OTDA.NY.gov/SummerEBT.   The Summer EBT Customer Service Helpline is 1-833-452-0096. Families should seek answers to specific questions using the OTDA website before calling the helpline. The helpline will be able to answer questions about a specific child’s eligibility beginning July 1, 2024.

Eligibility

Many families will receive Summer EBT automatically if they are getting other benefits, but some families may need to apply.

To be automatically eligible for Summer EBT food benefits:

• A child must receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Temporary Assistance (cash) benefits, or be directly certified for free meals through Medicaid, OR
• A child must be determined eligible for free/reduced price school meals by their school.

These children will receive benefits automatically and DO NOT need to apply. Most eligible children will receive their benefits this way. These families will receive a letter this summer letting them know that their child is eligible.

If your child is not automatically eligible, you must apply to receive Summer EBT benefits.

To be eligible with an application:

• A child must attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), AND
• The household's income must be at or below the income limits for eligibility for free/reduced price school meals (use “reduced price” scale for 185% federal poverty level). Visit OTDA.NY.gov/SummerEBT to see the Eligibility Income Guidelines

If your household must apply to be considered for benefits, an online application (English and Spanish) will be available by July 1st 2024, at OTDA.NY.gov/SummerEBT

Food pantries partner with the Food Bank of CNY to provide low cost, nutritious food to those in need.  The following is a list of food pantries in our community and many other resources to assist families.  

• Marcellus United Methodist Church- Marcellus NY (315) 673-3239
• Marcellus First Presbyterian Church- Marcellus NY (315) 673-2201
• The Interreligious Food Consortium (IRC) weekdays at (315) 474-8855 between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm or at www.ifccny.org
• Families seeking food assistance can also contact the USDA National Hunger Hotline, operated by Hunger Free America.  The hotline can be reached Monday - Friday between 7:00 am until 10:00 pm EST at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) for English or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) for Spanish.
• OCFS -Office of Children & Family Services - The Office of Children and Family Services serves New York's public by promoting the safety, permanency and well-being of our children, families and communities. They list many resources for families. https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/resources-for-families.php  1-888-554-3277 Monday-Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM
• United Way Central NY- Call 2-1-1 (24 Hours, 7 days a week) or call (844) 245- 1922  or text your zip code to 898-211.
• NYS/Crisis Text Line Partnership- Text GOT5 to 741741 for support.

 

District Wellness Policy

The District is committed to providing a school environment that promotes and protects children's health, well-being, and the ability to learn by fostering healthy eating and physical activity. The District has established a District Planning Team (DPT). The DPT will serve as the wellness committee and has been charged with development of the District's proposed local wellness policy, making such policy recommendations for review and adoption by the Board of Education. The District Planning Team includes, but is not limited to, representatives from each of the following groups:

a) Parents;

b) Students;

c) The District's food service program;

d) School administrators; and

e) Members of the public.

The District Wellness Committee will assess current activities, programs and policies available in the District; identify specific areas of need within the District; develop the policy; and provide mechanisms for implementation, evaluation, revision and updating of the policy. The Wellness Committee is established to represent the local community’s perspective in developing the wellness policy for the District.

Goals to Promote Student Wellness

Taking into account the parameters of the School District (academic programs, annual budget, staffing issues, and available facilities) as well as the community in which the District is located (the general economy; socioeconomic status; local tax bases; social cultural and religious influences; geography; and legal, political and social institutions) the Wellness Committee recommends the following District goals relating to nutrition education, physical activity and other school-based activities:

Nutrition Education

The District will provide nutrition education to facilitate the voluntary adoption of healthy eating habits and other nutrition-related behaviors conducive to health and well-being by establishing the following standards for:

a) Classroom teaching:

Classroom instruction should provide a balanced educational approach, based on current research findings, that teaches the positive aspects of food, making healthy choices and living a healthy lifestyle. Classroom topics should include: (a) moderation, (b) portion awareness (c) nutrition, (d) food pyramid/food groups, (d) food product labels, (e) health issues related to foods –i.e. food allergy education, dietary restrictions, etc. and (f) the importance of engaging in regular physical exercise. Curriculum should also include age appropriate instruction on healthy body image, weight management and eating disorders.

b) Education, marketing and promotion links outside the classroom:

The district should promote nutrition education outside of the classroom by linkingclassroom education to the larger school community through parent awareness (i.e. newsletters, forums, curriculum nights, classroom flyers).

c) Fundraising activities:

When fund raising activities involve food-related items, consideration should be given to healthy food choices. Food selections at school-sponsored activities (i.e. dances, roller skating parties, athletic events, etc.) should offer healthy food alternatives.

d) Teacher training:

The district will offer on-going professional development activities to support the implementation on the components of the district wellness policy.

Physical Activity

The District will provide opportunities for every student to develop the knowledge and skills for specific physical activities, to maintain physical fitness, to regularly participate in physical activity, and to understand the short-term and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthy lifestyle.

The Wellness Committee has determined that the following standards are necessary to achieve this goal:

a)      Physical education graduation requirements:

Presently, students are required to acquire two Carnegie units for graduation.

b) Physical education class requirements:

The school district will follow the New York State requirements for physical education. Instruction will follow the New York State learning standards (i.e. daily instruction in grades pre-first to grade three, and a minimum of 120 minutes per week).

c) Staff training/certification for physical education:

The district will employ highly qualified physical education instructors and certified coaches.

d) Physical activity outside physical education classes:

The district will encourage the integration of physical activity into the instructional program for all students.

Other School-based Activities

 The District wishes to establish a school environment that presents consistent wellness messages and is conducive to healthy eating and physical activity for all. In order to present a coordinated school approach where District decision-making related to nutrition and physical activity encompasses all aspects of the school, the Wellness Committee has determined that the following standards are necessary to achieve this goal:

a) Federal School Meal Programs:

The district will participate to the maximum extent practicable in available federal school meal programs (school breakfast program, national school lunch program, etc.).

b) Access to school nutrition programs:

The district will provide access to a copy of the Free and Reduced meal application form to all families in a non-stigmatizing manner. The district will be sensitive to special dietary needs (i.e. food-allergies, caloric intake, etc.).

c) Meal environment:

The district will provide an opportunity for all students and staff to have lunch and breakfast at appropriate times in a conducive environment (recess time, after lunch) within given scheduling constraints.

d) After-school programs for students:

After-school programs will incorporate nutrition related components and/or physical activity in line with school-based philosophy, which supports a healthy lifestyle and good eating, habits.

e) Community access to District facilities for physical activities:

The district provides facility access to students, families, staff, and the community for physical activity and supports staff wellness activities (i.e. walks, runs, rides, weight watchers, etc.).

f) Community involvement:

The District will involve family and/or community members in wellness planning (including suggestions as a Wellness Fair, After-the-Ball committee, site-based teams). The district will publicize the Wellness Policy (through local papers, mailings, website, etc.)

g) Sustainable food practices:

Where financially feasible, the district will address standards for environmentally friendly practices relating to food service in the schools (recycling). Where financially feasible, the district will purchase foods from local vendors.

Nutrition Guidelines

The District Wellness Committee will recommend which nutrition standards will be established for all foods available on school campus during the school day based upon the unique needs of the student body and the community. The goal is to encourage healthy lifelong eating habits by providing foods that are high in nutrients, low in fat and added sugars, and of moderate portion size.

Nutritional Values of Foods and Beverages

Reimbursable school meals served at school will minimally meet the program requirements and nutrition standards of the National School Lunch Program.

Food of minimal nutritional value on the school campus will be replaced with more nutritional options by adhering to the New York State standards.

Nutrition information for products sold on campus will be readily available near the point of purchase.

A la Carte, vending machines, student stores, snack bars, concession stands, parties, celebrations, food-related fundraising, and food rewards/punishments

Promote healthy snacks for classroom consumption and promote alternative choices for birthdays and celebrations (i.e. pencils, fruit, popcorn, coupons, etc.).

Food or Beverage Contracts

Food and beverage contracts should reflect the district wellness policy.

Vending machines, snack bars, school stores, concession stands, and other food outlets

Items in the vending machines should follow the district wellness policy and include healthy alternatives.

Assurance

Guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than applicable federal regulations and guidance issued pursuant to the Child Nutrition Act and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as those regulations and guidance apply to schools.

Implementation and Evaluation of the Wellness Policy

In accordance with law, the District's wellness policy must be established by July 1, 2006; and the District will ensure school and community awareness of this policy through various means such as publication in District newsletters and/or the District calendar. Further, professional development activities for staff and student awareness training will be provided, as appropriate, on the goals of the District's wellness program, including activities/programs for the development of healthy eating habits and the incorporation of physical activity as part of a comprehensive healthy lifestyle.

The District shall establish an implementation and evaluation plan for the wellness policy in order to monitor the effectiveness of the policy and the possible need for further modification over time. Accordingly, the Superintendent shall designate one or more staff members within the District or at each school as appropriate to have operational responsibility for ensuring that the District meets the goals and mandates of its local wellness policy. Designated staff members may include, but are not limited to, the following personnel:

a) Administrators;

b) School health personnel including the school nurse and the health and/or physical education teacher; and

c) School Food Service Director.

These designated staff members shall periodically report to the Superintendent on the District's compliance with the wellness policy (or, if done at the building level, to the School Principal) and the Superintendent shall inform the Board of such findings. The Superintendent/designee shall prepare a summary report on District-wide compliance with the District's wellness policy based on input from schools within the District. That report will be provided to the School Board and also distributed to the wellness committee, parent-teacher organizations, Building Principals, and school health services personnel within the District. The report shall also be available to community residents upon request.

These designated school officials will also serve as a liaison with community agencies in providing outside resources to help in the development of nutrition education programs and physical activities.

Evaluation and feedback from interested parties, including an assessment of student, parent, teacher, and administration satisfaction with the wellness policy, is essential to the District's evaluation program. Further, the District shall document the financial impact, if any, to the school food service program, school stores, or vending machine revenues based on the implementation of the wellness policy.

District schools will provide nutrition education and physical education, with an emphasis on establishing lifelong habits of healthy eating and physical activity, and will establish linkages between health education and school meal programs, and with related community services. Communication with and training for teachers, parents, students, and food service personnel will be an integral part of the District's implementation plan.

To the extent practicable, students and parents shall be involved in the development of strategies designed to promote healthy food choices in the school environment; and the school cafeteria will provide a variety of nutritionally sound meal and beverage choices. The school will encourage students' active, age appropriate participation in decisions regarding healthy lifestyles and choices. Positive reinforcement such as letters of recognition and acknowledgment will be utilized as a means to encourage healthy eating patterns among the student population. In addition, the school will share information about the nutritional content of meals with parents and students; such information may be made available on menus, a web site, or such other "point-of-purchase" materials.

Assessments of the District's wellness policy and implementation efforts may be repeated on an annual basis, but it is recommended that such assessment occur no later than every three (3) years, to help review policy compliance, assess progress, and determine areas in need of improvement. The District, and individual schools within the District, will, as necessary, revise the wellness policy and develop work plans to facilitate its implementation.

Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004
Public Law Section 108-265 Section 204

Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act
42 United States Code (USC) Section 1751 et seq.

Child Nutrition Act of 1966
42 United States Code (USC) Section 1771 et seq.
7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 210.10
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_05/7cfr21 0_05.html

Adoption Date: 6/20/06

School Breakfast Program

Good Foods Fuel Great Minds...

The School Breakfast Program reduces hunger and supports student health and academic achievement. Studies show serving breakfast after the start of the school day reduces absenteeism, disciplinary issues, and eliminates the stigma that school breakfast is for poor kids.

Participation in the School Breakfast Program is linked to:

Decreased risk of food insecurity

• Access to school breakfast decreases the risk of marginal food insecurity and breakfast skipping

Improved academic performance

• Children who eat breakfast at school — closer to class and test-taking time — perform better on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast or eat breakfast at home.
• Providing breakfast to students at school improves their concentration, alertness, comprehension, memory, and learning.
• Children who skip breakfast are less able to master the tasks necessary to do well in school.
• Children who live in families that experience hunger have lower math scores, an increased likelihood of repeating a grade, and receive more special education services.

Reduced behavioral problems

• Students who participate in school breakfast show improved attendance, behavior, and academic performance as well as decreased tardiness.
• Teenagers experiencing hunger are more likely to be suspended from school and to have difficulty getting along with other children and establishing friendships.

Improved diets in children

• All meals meet nutrition guidelines that limit sodium and saturated fats and eliminate trans fats.
• School breakfast participants are more likely to consume diets that are adequate or exceed standards for essential vitamins and minerals (e.g., vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus).
• School breakfast participation is associated with a lower body mass index (BMI, an indicator of excess body fat), lower probability of being overweight, and lower likelihood of obesity.
• School breakfast also helps build lifelong healthy eating habits.

Smart Snacks

Article 19 § 915. Prohibits the Sale of Certain Sweetened Foods

From the beginning of the school day until the end of the last scheduled meal period, no sweetened soda water [this includes 'zero' and diet soda], no chewing gum, no candy including hard candy, jellies, gums, marshmallow candies, fondant, licorice, spun candy and candy coated popcorn, and no water ices except those which contain fruit or fruit juices, shall be sold in any public school within the state.

Smart Snacks in School also support efforts by school food service staff, school administrators, teachers, parents, and the school community, all working hard to instill healthy habits in students.

Nutrition Standards for Foods

Any food sold in schools must:

• Be a “whole grain–rich” grain product; or
• Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or
• Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
• Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber).*

Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements:

• Calorie limits:
  • Snack items: 200 calories
  • Entrée items: 350 calories
• Sodium limits:
  • Snack items: 230 mg**
  • Entrée items: 480 mg
• Fat limits:
  • Total fat: 35% of calories
  • Saturated fat: < 10% of calories
  • Trans fat: zero grams
• Sugar limit:
  • 35% of weight from total sugars in foods

 

 

Nutrition Education Links

• Fueling My Healthy Life https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/fueling-my-healthy-life Learn more about added sugars and sodium with these interactive materials for 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade.
• 5 Healthy Goals for Early Learners: Help prevent childhood obesity and ensure that kids are healthy in child care and early education programs https://healthykidshealthyfuture.org/5-healthy-goals/nurture-healthy-eaters/classroom-activities/.

• Get kids started on a healthy eating adventure with these games and activities! Teach them about MyPlate and the 5 food groups to set them on a path towards a healthy future. https://www.myplate.gov/life-stages/kids

• Let’s Eat Healthy: Through shared values, the Let's Eat Healthy Initiative elevates the health of children and families through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits. The Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative Strategic Framework outlines objectives and action steps to engage stakeholders in advancing collaboration in the initiative through multidisciplinary action and advocacy. Grade appropriate Nutrition resources 9^th-12^th Grade https://www.healthyeating.org/products-and-activities/curriculum/high-school.

• For Parents: Discover MyPlate: Snack Time! https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/discover-myplate-parent-handouts. Get ideas about choosing snack foods and beverages with less saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium with this handout for parents of young children.

 

Mission Statement

To provide nutritious, appetizing, and safe food to the students, faculty and staff of the Marcellus Central School District.

We will provide safe foods.
We will serve “hot foods hot, and cold foods cold”.
We will protect the integrity of all food, in all phases.

               

 

We are proud to announce the Food Service Department has surpassed 105 hours of Child Nutrition program-related Professional Development in SY 24-25!

Staff is informed of the state and federal regulations and corresponding policies to ensure that the District’s procedures, and Child Nutrition program guidelines are carried out correctly.  Currently, our Food Service Department utilizes twenty-seven standard operating procedures (SOPs) which are reviewed and verified annually.

These procedures specify general practices that, when followed, address the food preparation environment. They are specific to the Marcellus Food Service Department and describe activities necessary to meet or exceed provisions of the Federal Food Code and comply with or exceed New York State Health Department provisions. The major goals in establishing our HACCP (Hazzard Analysis Critical Control Point) based SOPs are to:

• Protect food from contamination by biological, chemical and physical contaminants.
• Control microbial growth that can result from time-temperature abuse during all phases of food preparation.
• Mitigate cross contact of food allergens.
• Ensure the physical safety of staff.
• Ensure proper maintenance of Food Service equipment.