Child Nutrition

Letter to the Household

Instructions for filling out the Free/Reduced Application 2023-24

CN PROCUREMENT

Click HERE to view the Quapaw Public Schools' Child Nutrition Procurement Policy.

Child Nutrition Charging Policy

Parents are encouraged to pay in advance for student meals. Payment may be made by cash or check (made payable to Quapaw Public Schools) submitted to the child nutrition director, elementary secretary, or lunch monitor.

If necessary, students may charge up to $10.00 of reimbursable meals on their accounts. Parents will receive notification by phone or email when their child’s account has a negative balance. Students will be served regular meals while giving parents the opportunity to make a payment. However, if a student’s account reaches a negative balance of $20.00, they will be required to pay cash for a regular meal or be served an alternate reimbursable meal at the regular price until payment is made. Alternate meals will consist of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a cheese sandwich with fruit and milk.

Both positive and negative lunch balances will carry forward to the next school year. Students beginning the school year with a negative balance in excess of $20.00 will be required to pay cash for a regular meal or be served an alternate meal until their account is paid in full.

Non-Discrimination 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, 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:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

District Wellness Committee

Quapaw Public Schools would like to invite community members to serve on the district Wellness Committee. Our goal is to have a committee that represents our district and establishes an action plan for how we might make our school healthier for all students and staff members. The committee will meet during the noon hour four times a year. 

If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact the Quapaw Administration Office at 918-674-2501 ext. 3102 or e-mail sglerup@qpswildcats.com

Quapaw Public Schools Wellness Policy

Purpose 

The Quapaw Public School District (the District) recognizes the important role that schools play in the development of children’s lifelong health habits, their ability to learn, and their overall well-being. Schools can improve the health of students not only by educating them about the importance of healthy behaviors, but also by implementing policies that promote those behaviors. 

Therefore, the District establishes the following policy to promote the health and wellness of students and staff and to ensure its schools comply with those standards established by federal and state law. Specifically, this policy requires all schools in the District to:

·     Allow parents, students, and representatives of the school food authority, physical education teachers, school health professionals, the school board, school administrators, and the general public to participate in the development, implementation, review, and update of the school wellness policy.

·     Establish nutrition guidelines that meet or exceed the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) school meal requirements and the nutrition standards for competitive foods and beverages.

·     Create goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity and physical education, and other activities that promote student as well as staff health.

·     Adopt a plan to ensure the policy is properly implemented, regularly assessed, and periodically updated.

Definitions

School campus -All areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to students during the school day.

School day-The period of time from the midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the instructional day.

Competitive foods and beverages-Foods and beverages that are sold on campus outside of the federal reimbursable school meals program during the school day (e.g., in vending machines or school stores).

Smart Snacks standards- Nutrition standards, issued by the USDA that set limits on the amount of calories, salt, sugar, and fat in competitive foods and beverages.

NUTRITION

School Meal Requirements

The District will make nutritious foods available on campus during the school day to promote student and staff health. At a minimum, the District Child Nutrition Program will serve reimbursable meals that meet the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) requirements and follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).

Specifically, the District will ensure that all meals are the following:

·     Accessible, appealing, and attractive to all children

·     Served in a clean, pleasant, and supervised setting

·     High in fiber, free of added trans fats, and low in added fats, sugar, and sodium

·     Respectful of cultural diversity (e.g., students will be encouraged to suggest local, cultural, and favorite ethnic foods) and religious preferences

·     [Reviewed by a certified nutrition professional / Based on a meal plan provided by a professional resource (such as the State Department of Education, the USDA, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, or The Lunch Box)]

The District will also ensure that schools do the following:

·     Encourage students to start the day with a healthy breakfast.

·     Provide breakfast through the USDA School Breakfast Program.

Water: Schools will make clean drinking water available and accessible without restriction and at no charge at every district facility (including cafeterias and eating areas, classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, and faculty lounges) before, during, and after school. 

Schools will also ensure the following:

·     Students will be provided drinking cups, glasses, or reusable water bottles in places where meals and snacks are served. 

·     Students will be allowed to bring drinking water from home and take water into the classroom, provided that the water is in a capped container, such as a bottle, to prevent spills.

·     All water sources and containers will be maintained on a regular basis to ensure good hygiene standards (including drinking fountains, water jugs, hydration stations, and other methods for delivering drinking water).

Information and Promotion: As required under the National School Lunch Program (7 CFR 210.12), the District will promote activities to involve students and parents in the School Lunch Program. In addition, the District will do the following:

·     Inform families about the availability of breakfasts for students.

·     Post information on the nutritional content and ingredients of school meals on menus in the cafeteria, on the District website, and/or in school newsletters.

·     Send applications for reimbursable meal programs to families at the beginning of the school year and make applications available on the District website.

·     Adequate Time to Eat: The District will provide sufficient breakfast/lunch periods that are long enough to give all students (K-12) adequate time to be served and eat their meals.  Students will have at least 10 minutes to eat breakfast and 20 minutes to eat lunch.

Competitive Foods and Beverages

All competitive foods and beverages sold/marketed to students during the school day must meet or exceed the USDA’s Smart Snacks standards.

Other Foods Provided at School

The District will provide parents and teachers with a list of ideas for healthy food as well as non-food alternatives for classroom parties (e.g., the USDA’s resources on “Healthy Celebrations”) and after-school programming (including celebrations). Other food and beverages provided (Not sold) on campus must meet the USDA’s Smart Snack Standards.

Fundraising

Fundraising on Campus During the School Day: Only fundraisers that feature non-food items or foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks standards will be permitted.The District, however, may allow exemptions for up to ten fundraisers during the school year, during which the foods and beverages sold are not required to meet the Smart Snack standards. Importantly, these exempted fundraisers cannot be held during normal meal service times.

The following will also occur:

·     Fundraising activities will not promote any particular food brands (e.g., fundraisers by fast food chains). 

·     The District will encourage fundraisers that do not sell food and/or that promote physical activity. 

Nutrition Education

Schools will offer—and integrate into the core curriculum—nutrition education to all grades (K-12), providing students the knowledge and skills necessary for lifelong healthy eating behaviors, including the following:

·     What it means to eat healthfully, consume the proper nutrients, and maintain a wholesome and balanced diet. 

·     How to read labels and understand the problems associated with unhealthy food marketing to children.

In addition, schools will ensure that nutrition education: 

·     Complies with state learning objectives and standards.

·     Provides opportunities for students to practice and apply the skills and knowledge taught in the classroom (e.g., by using the cafeteria as a learning lab, visiting local farms, etc.).

·     Is made available for staff.

·     Is promoted to families and the community.

Rewards and Punishment

Food, beverages, and candy will not be used to reward or punish academic performance or student behavior.

Nutrition and Healthy Food Promotion

The District will promote healthy food and beverage choices and appropriate portion sizes by doing the following:

·     Exhibiting posters, signs, or other displays on the school campus that promote healthy nutrition choices.

·     Providing age-appropriate activities, such as contests, food demonstrations, and taste-testing that promote healthy eating habits.

·     Offering information to families (via communications with parents, educational workshops, screening services, and health-related exhibitions and fairs) and encouraging them to teach their children about nutrition and healthy eating behaviors.

·     Encouraging school staff to display healthy eating habits and physical activity choices to students (e.g., by eating with students during meal times, consuming only healthy snacks, meals, and beverages in front of students, sharing positive experiences with physical activity with students, etc.).

Staff Qualifications and Training

The District will follow the USDA’s Professional Standards for State and Local Nutrition Programs in selecting local school nutrition program directors. Also, the District will require all personnel in the school nutrition programs to complete annual continuing education and training.

In addition, Child Nutrition Staff will do the following: 

·     Receive training in basic nutrition, nutrition education, safe food preparation, and nutrition standards for healthy meals and snacks.

·     Organize and participate in educational activities that support healthy eating behaviors and food safety.

Farm-to-School Programs and School Gardens

The District will allow school gardens on District property.

The following will also occur: 

·     The District will dedicate resources (e.g., tools, materials, volunteer hours, etc.) to build a school garden on District property and/or actively participate in community gardens by dedicating the same resources as would be required for gardens on District property.

·     The District will incorporate local and/or regional products into the school meal program.

·     Schools will take field trips to local farms.

·     As part of their education, students will learn about agriculture and nutrition.

Summer Programs

The Quapaw District will share information with families of the availability and location of free Summer Food Service Program meals for students when school is not in session.

After School Physical Activity and Screen Time

·     Dedicate at least 20%, or at least 30 minutes (whichever is more), of program time to physical activity, which includes a mixture of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

·     Utilize outdoor space for physical activity as much as possible each day (weather permitting and with appropriate protection from the elements).

·     Provide equal opportunities for children and youth with disabilities to be physically active.

·     Encourage staff to join children and youth in physical activity whenever possible.

·     Limit screen time to less than 60 minutes per day to be used only for homework and other educational or physical activity purposes. 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The District will provide students physical activity each week,whether through physical education, exercise programs, after-school athletics, fitness breaks, recess, classroom activities, or wellness and nutrition education.

Recess and Physical Activity Breaks

Recess:The District will require schools to provide elementary school students (K-5) at least 20 minutes of recess each day (in addition to the PE requirements). Additionally, the District will do the following:

·     Develop indoor recess guidelines to ensure students can have adequate physical activity on days when recess must be held indoors. 

·      Require schools to hold recess before lunch, in order to increase food consumption, reduce waste, and improve classroom attentiveness when students return from lunch.[i]

Physical Activity Breaks:The District will require schools to provide all students (K-12) short breaks (three to five minutes) throughout the day to let them stretch, move around, and break up their time spent sitting. These physical activity breaks may take place during and/or between classroom time.  

Physical Education (PE)

The District will provide a comprehensive, Oklahoma standards-based PE curriculum for each grade (K-12). Schools will ensure that PE classes and equipment afford all students (K-12) an equal opportunity to participate in PE.

Elementary school students (K-5) will participate in at least 110 minutes of PE per week throughout the entire school year.

Middle and high school students (6-12)will have the opportunity to participate in at least 225 minutes of PE per week throughout the entire school year.

During PE, students will be given the opportunity to participate in many types of physical activity, including both cooperative and competitive games.  Students will engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity for more than 50% of the PE class time.  PE classes will have a teacher/student ratio comparable to core subject classroom size.

Teacher Qualifications, Training, and Involvement 

Teachers will receive training on how to integrate physical activity into the curriculum. Some portion of this training will be incorporated into annual professional development.

Schools will allow teachers the opportunity to participate in or lead physical activities before, during, and after school.  PE classes will be taught by licensed teachers who are certified or in the process of being endorsed to teach PE.

Punishment and Rewards

Physical activity will not be used or withheld as punishment. (This does not apply to participation on sports teams that have specific academic requirements.)  The Building Principals will provide a list of alternative ways for teachers and staff to discipline students.  The District will strongly encourage teachers to use physical activity (e.g., extra recess) as a reward.

Grounds, Facilities, and Equipment 

The District will ensure the availability of proper equipment and facilities that meet safety standards and will conduct necessary inspections and repairs.   

Community Use of Recreational Facilities 

The District will encourage school staff, students, and their families to participate in physical activity outside of the school day. Allowing staff, students, and their families to use school recreational facilities during non-school hours is one way to increase opportunities to engage in physical activity. Consistent with state law and District policies and procedures regarding use of school facilities during non-school hours, the District will work with community-based organizations/community recreation programs to coordinate and enhance opportunities for staff, students, and their families to engage in physical activity using school facilities before and after the school day, during weekends, and during school vacations.

Transportation 

The District will do the following: 

·     Encourage children and their families to walk and bike to and from school.

·     Work with local officials to designate safe or preferred routes to school.

·     Promote National and International Walk and Bike to School Week/Day.

·     Provide bike racks for students, faculty, and staff.

·     Encourage parents to supervise groups of children who walk or bike together to and from school.

·     Hire a crossing guard for safe access across the highway.

Staff Wellness

The District recognizes that employee health is essential to student health and to creating healthy school environments. Accordingly, the District will implement an employee wellness program that promotes healthy eating, physical activity, and overall health. The District may partner with community agencies and organizations(e.g., local health departments, hospitals, health insurance companies, and local chapters of national organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, RedCross, andYMCA) to assist in providing education, services, and resources for staff. 

The District will do the following to support Staff Wellness: 

Nutrition

·     Provide employees with access to a refrigerator, microwave,and sink with a water faucet. 

·      Provide or partner with community organizations or agencies to offer nutrition education through activities such as seminars, workshops,classes, meetings,and newsletters. 

·     Partner with community organizations or agencies to offer staff accessible and free or low-cost healthy eating/weight management programs. 

Physical Activity

·     Provide  access to on-campus athletic facilities, such as gyms, running track sand basketball courts. 

·     Promote employee participation in physical activity by creating exercise clubs or groups.

·     Useposters, pamphlets, and other forms of communication to promote physical activity(including stair well use, if applicable).

·     Provide information about local physical activity resources and facilities, such as walking trails,community parks, and recreation facilities. 

General Wellness 

·     Partner with community organizations or agencies to offer voluntary health screenings annually to staff, including free or low-cost health assessments. 

·     Partner with community organizations or agencies to provide stress management programs annually to staff. 

·     Promote tobacco prevention and provide referral information on cessation services through the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. 

·     Ensure access to a private space (other than a restroom) that has an electrical outlet, and provide flexible paid or unpaid break times to allow mothers to express breast milk and/or breastfeed. 

·     Partner with community organizations or agencies to offer immunization clinics (e.g., flu, Tdap, etc.) to staff. 

·     Provide or partner with community organizations or agencies to offer free or low-cost first aid and CPR training. 

Professional Development 

·     The District will provide staff with educational resources and annual training in health and health-related topics.

Health Education

Where applicable, schools' health education curriculums will follow the Oklahoma Academic Standards.

IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION

Leadership

The District will designate one or more official(s) to facilitate the development of the local school wellness policy, oversee appropriate updates to the policy, and ensure each school’s compliance with the policy. The District will ensure that the designated official(s) fully understand(s) the federal and state laws related to wellness policies. 

Designated District Wellness Official: David Carriger, Superintendent

Community Involvement 

The District will permit parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, physical education teachers, school health professionals, the school board, school administrators, and the general public to serve on the local school wellness policy committee and participate in the development, implementation, review, and update of the 

local school wellness policy. To encourage broad public participation in the process, the 

District will do the following:

·     Actively notify parents and the broader community about the content and implementation of as well as any changes to the wellness policy, whether through electronic communications (e.g., email, District website, etc.), non-electronic means (e.g., mailings, presentations, etc.), or both.

·     Ensure that all outreach and communication is culturally appropriate and translated as needed. 

·     Educate community stakeholders on how they can participate in the development, implementation, review, and update of the wellness policy and let them know why their participation is important to the health and wellness of students and the broader community. 

Assessments, Revisions, and Policy Updates 

At least once every three years, the District will measure the extent to which schools are in compliance with the local wellness policy, as well as progress made in attaining the policy’s goals. Additionally: Parents, students, physical education teachers, school health professionals, the school board, school administrators, and the general public will be allowed to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the local wellness policy.  The District will assess how its policy compares with the latest national recommendations on school health, and will update the policy accordingly.

The District will inform and update the public about the content and implementation of the local wellness policy (via the District’s website, handouts, newsletters sent directly to families’ homes, etc.).

___________________________________

Approved by Quapaw Board of Education 

July 1, 2019