Food Services

Here are some fun facts about school breakfast:

• It’s easy! Instead of running around in the morning trying to make sure your children eat a healthy meal, let us do the work. They can get a great breakfast at school, and there will be no dishes for you to wash!
   
• It’s tasty! Schools now have more variety to choose from when deciding what to offer your children for breakfast. Request a menu so you can view what your child may be eating at school.
   
• It’s good for the brain! Research suggests that not having breakfast can affect children’s intellectual performance (CDC).

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for overseeing the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) nationally. In California, the federal CNPs are administered by the California Department of Education (CDE). This includes federal policy guidance pertaining to meal modifications to accommodate a participant’s disabilities, as well as options to accommodate special dietary needs.

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) states that physical or mental impairments do not need to be life-threatening to constitute a disability. For example, a food allergy does not need to cause anaphylaxis in order to be considered a disability. Furthermore, a non-life-threatening allergy may be considered a disability and require a meal modification, if it impacts a major bodily function or other major life activity. A child’s impairment also may be considered a disability, even if medication or other mitigating measures reduce the impact of the impairment.

In addition, Nutrition Services has the option to accommodate children with special dietary needs, even if they do not rise to the level of a disability. This includes those accommodations related to religious or moral convictions or simply a personal preference.

Medical Statement for Children with Special Dietary Needs

Each special dietary request must be supported by a statement explaining the requested food substitution and must be signed by a recognized medical authority. The Medical Statement must include:

• An identification of the medical or other special dietary condition which restricts the child's diet;
• The food or foods to be omitted from the child's diet; and
• The food or choice of foods to be substituted.

If we do not receive a medical statement from a recognized medical authority, your child will receive a regular lunch. Medical statements completed by parents or guardians will not be accepted.

Medical Statement to Request Special Meals And/Or Accommodations

Refunds from student meal accounts are granted upon request. The parent/guardian must complete a Parent Refund form and email to foodservices@pausd.org or mail to the district office Attention: Food Service.

Due to the required audit documentation, please allow 4-5 weeks for refunds to be completed.

• Visit the California Department of Education Meal Service Site for a list of locations where children may receive free nutritious meals during school vacation and off-track periods.
   

Families now have more ways to get their kids the nutrition they need in summer when school meals aren’t available. USDA’s SUN programs offer convenient, flexible options to help kids reach their full potential!

• Summer EBT (S-EBT) – SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT (S-EBT), is a new program to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get $120 for each eligible child to buy groceries during the summer. Families must use SUN Bucks within 122 days of funds being loaded to their card. Children who get SUN Bucks can still participate in other summer meal programs. SUN Bucks will not affect immigration status.

Site Monitoring

A Site Monitoring Review (CDE Form SNP-25b for SSO) is completed at all sites that are serving meals. This review must be completed, at a minimum, during the first week of operation. The completed review form is kept on file. The Site Monitoring Review may be a desk audit but an in person audit is preferred.

A pre-operative review will be conducted by Food Services one week prior to a site opening to make sure all cold and hot food storage equipment is in operating order, equipment temperature logs are onsite, and Justice for All Posters are posted at the meal service location. The Food Services Leads will make sure the site has the menu, menu production records, and tally forms.

Staff training is conducted throughout the year that align with the Professional Standards requirement to include, but not limited to, production records, meal components, what constitutes a reimbursable meal, MCCP / Integrity Plan and food safety.

Since children spend most of their day at school, we know how important it is for them to have healthy foods and drinks. PAUSD is committed to wellness-focused celebrations that put student health first!

Here’s what you need to know:

Food-Free Fun: We encourage celebrations centered arounds engaging activities instead of food! It’s a wonderful way to make memories without sugary treats.

Timing & Standards: When food is part of a celebration, it should be served only after lunch and must meet state and federal nutrition standards.

Ideas for Food – Free Celebrations*

• Creative Treats: Pencils, markers, crayons, stickers, glow sticks, balloons
   
• Activities & Games: Puzzles, card games, scavenger hunts, themed dress-up days
   
• Classroom Privileges: Be teacher’s helper, line leader for the day Special
   
• Recognition: Wear a crown or sash, get a birthday card from the class, choose a class game, birthday chair decoration
   
• Extra Time for Fun: Extra recess or free time, craft projects, read to the class, lead an activity

Thank you for helping us keep celebrations healthy and fun for all our students!

*Please avoid single use plastics

Smart Snacks Standards are a Federal requirement for all foods sold outside the school lunch and breakfast programs.

Kids who have healthy eating patterns are more likely to perform better academically.

What are the Smart Snack Requirements:

• Be a grain product that contains 50 percent or more whole grains by weight (have a whole grain as the first ingredient); or
   
• Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy food, or a protein food; or
   
• Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable (for example, ¼ cup of raisins with enriched pretzels); and The food must meet the nutrient standards for calories, sodium, fats, and total sugars.

Smart Snack Food Ideas*

• Fresh Fruit
• Healthy Granola Bars 
• Animal/Graham Crackers
• Apple sauce
• Whole Grain Crackers
• Whole Grain Cereals
• Low Fat Popcorn
• Cut Veggies and Low-fat Dip
• Reduced-fat Cheese 
• Canned fruits packed in 100% juice or light syrup, with no added ingredients except water

*All foods must be store bought. Please avoid the major food allergens, like nuts, or any allergens known in the class.

The WellSAT is a quantitative assessment tool to help you score and improve your local School Wellness Policy. Since 2010, this measure has been used by thousands of people across the country, representing school districts from every state. 

All WellSAT items reflect best practices. The purpose of scoring your district policy is to identify where it is strong and where it could be improved.

PAUSD WellSAT Scorecard

The Board of Education recognizes the link between student health and learning and desires to provide a comprehensive program promoting healthy eating and physical activity for district students. The Superintendent or designee shall build a coordinated school health system that supports the following eight components:

• Psychological and Counseling Services
• Health Services
• Health Education
• Health Promotion for Staff
• Family and Community Involvement
• Healthy School Environment
• Physical Education
• Nutrition Services

Read PAUSD's Wellness Policy, Board Policy 5030

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.