OCSD Policies

OCSD Policies

Adoption Date: 08/10/1999
Revised: 01/18/2005
5000 - NON-INSTRUCTIONAL/BUSINESS OPERATIONS

NON-INSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS
5650 School Food Service Program (Lunch and Breakfast)/School District Nutrition Advisory Committee

The Board has entered into an agreement with the New York State Education Department to participate in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and/or Special Milk Program to receive commodities donated by the Department of Agriculture and to accept responsibility for providing free and reduced price meals to elementary and secondary students in the schools of the District. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall have the responsibility to carry out the rules of the School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. The determination of which students are eligible is the responsibility of the Superintendent or his/her designee. Appeals regarding eligibility should be submitted to the Hearing Official of the District. Free or reduced price “Lunch Meal Patterns” may be allowed for qualifying students attending District schools upon receipt of a written application from the student’s parent or guardian or a “Direct Certification” letter from the New York State Education Department of Social Services. Applications will be provided by the School District to all families. Procedures for the administration of the free and reduced price meal program of this School District will be the same as those prescribed in the current state and federal laws and regulations. Child Nutrition Program/Charging Meals Although not required by law, because of the District’s participation in the Child Nutrition Program, the Board of Education approves the establishment of a system to allow a student to charge a meal. The Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop rules which address: a) What can be charged; b) The limit on the number of charges per student; c) The system used for identifying and recording charged meals; d) The system used for collection of repayments; and e) Ongoing communication of the policy to parents and students.Restriction of Sweetened Foods in School The sale of sweetened food will be prohibited from the beginning of the school day until the end of the last scheduled meal period. Sweetened foods consist of sweetened soda water, chewing gum, candy, including hard candy, jellies, gum, marshmallow candies, fondant, licorice, spun candy, candy coated popcorn, and water ices except those which contain fruit or fruit juices. Food Substitutions for Children with Disabilities Federal regulations governing the operation of Child Nutrition Programs, Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 require that children with disabilities be offered the opportunity to participate in all academic and nonacademic activities including the school nutrition programs. The District will make reasonable accommodations to those children with disabilities whose disabilities restrict their diets, such as providing substitutions and/or modifications in the regular meal patterns. Such meal substitutions for students with disabilities will be offered at no extra charge. A student with a disability must be provided substitutions in food when that need is supported by a statement signed by a physician attesting to the need for the substitutions and recommending alternate foods. However, the school food service is not required to provide meal services (for example, School Breakfast Program) 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. Though not required, the District will also allow substitutions for non-disabled children who are unable to consume the regular meal because of medical or other special dietary needs if the request is supported by a statement signed by a recognized medical authority. School District Nutrition Advisory Committee In accordance with Education Law, the District will establish a Child Nutrition Advisory Committee. The Committee will include, but not be limited to, a representative of the School Board, the food preparation staff, the physical education departments, the school nurse or health staff, a registered dietitian, if available, the faculty of the District, the parent-teacher associations in the District, the students enrolled in the District, and the parents/guardians of students enrolled in the District. If, due to special circumstances, it is impossible or impracticable for all recommended groups to have members on the Committee for representation, the District may approve a Committee that, to the greatest extent possible, represents the interests of the aforementioned groups. Prior to the start of school in the fall, the District will send in a newsletter written notice to all parents/guardians of enrolled students of the existence of the School District Nutrition Advisory Committee and supply information as to how interested parents/guardians may participate on the Committee. The District will also, to the extent practicable, give notice to all parents/guardians and students through its regular newsletters or other regular forms of written communication as to the scheduled dates of all meetings of the Advisory Committee. The Committee will study all facets of the current nutritional policies of the District including, but not limited to: a) The goals of the District to promote health and proper nutrition; b) Vending machine sales; c) Menu criteria; d) Educational curriculum teaching healthy nutrition; e) Educational information provided to parents/guardians regarding healthy nutrition and the health risks associated with obesity; f) Opportunities offered to parents/guardians to encourage healthier eating habits to students; and g) The education provided to teachers and other staff as to the importance of healthy nutrition. In addition, the Committee shall consider recommendations and practices of other districts and nutrition studies.

Policy References:

Child Nutrition Act 1966

42 United States Code (USC) Section 1771 et seq.

Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 1946

42 United States Code (USC) Section 1751 et seq.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

29 United States Code (USC) Section 794 et seq.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

20 United States Code (USC) Sections 1400-1485

7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 15B

Education Law Sections 915, 918, 1604(28), 1709(22), 1709(23) and 2503(9)(a)

8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Sections 200.2(b)(1) and 200.2(b)(2)

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