The school district will operate a school nutrition program in each attendance center. The school nutrition program will include hot meals through participation in the National School Lunch Program. Students may bring their lunches from home and purchase milk or juice and other incidental items.
School nutrition program facilities are provided to serve students and employees when school is in session and during school-related activities. They may also be used under the supervision of the head cook for food service to employee groups, parent-teacher meetings, civic organizations meeting for the purpose of better understanding the schools, and senior citizens in accordance with board policy.
The school nutition program is operated on a nonprofit basis. The revenues of the school nutrition program will be used only operations or improvement of such program. Supplies of the school nutrition program will only be used for the school nutrition program.
The board will set, and annually review, the prices for school nutrition programs. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation regarding the prices of the school nutrition programs, in accordance with federal and state law.
It is the responsibility of the food service director to administer the program and to cooperate with the superintendent and appropriate personnel for the proper functioning of the school nutrition program.
The district shall comply with all federal and state laws and regulations required for procurement, including the selection and evaluation of contractors. The superintendent or designee is responsible for developing an administrative process to implement this policy, including, but not limited to, procedures related to suspension and debarment for transactions subject to those requirements.
Legal Reference:
42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq. (2012).
7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq. (2012).
Iowa Code ch. 283A (2013).
281 I.A.C. 58.
Cross Reference:
710 School Food Services
905 Use of School District Facilities and Equipment
Approved July 2000
Reviewed November 2022
Revised August 2022
USDA Child Nutrition Programs in Iowa
Procedures for Handling a Civil Rights Complaint
Complaint Contact Information:
Name:
Street Address, City, State, Zip:
County: Area Code/Phone:
Email Address:
Complaint Information:
1. Specific name and location of the entity and individual delivering the service or benefit:
2. Describe the incident or action of the alleged discrimination or give an example of the situation that has a
discriminatory effect on the public, potential program participants, or current participants:
3. On what basis does the complainant feel discrimination exists (race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability,
creed, sexual orientation, religion, gender identity, political party affiliation, actual/potential
parental/family/marital status)?
4. List the names, titles, and business addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the alleged
discriminatory action:
5. List the date(s) during which the alleged discriminatory actions occurred, or if continuing, the duration of such
actions:
6. Date complaint received:
7. Person receiving complaint:
8. Action(s) taken:
USDA is the cognizant agency for the Child Nutrition Programs listed and therefore is the first contact for the six
protected classes of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability for complaints received within 180 days.
Civil rights complaints must be submitted to the USDA Office of Civil Rights within five calendar days of receipt
and no later than 180 days of the discriminatory act. The link for submission of a complaint is:
program.intake@usda.gov
In Iowa, protected classes also include sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or creed and complaints can be
filed up to 300 days of occurrence. The address for Iowa complaints is: Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes
State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416;
website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. 12/2021
Students enrolled and attending school in the school district who meet USDA eligibility guidelines will be provided the school nutrition program services at no cost or at a reduced price. The school district will make every effort to eliminate any social stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced price meals.
The district shall annually notify all families of the availability, eligibility criteria, and application procedures for free or reduced price meals in accordance with state and federal law.
It is the responsibility of the Food Service Director to determine the eligibility of students for free or reduced price school nutrition programs, in accordance with criteria established by state and federal law. If school personnel have knowledge of a student who is in need of free or reduced-price meals, school personnel shall contact the Food Service Director.
Employees, students not qualified for free meals and others will be required to pay for meals consumed.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for implementing this policy.
NOTE: There are two places in the policy where the board must identify the positions that will be responsible for determining free or reduced cost meal eligibility for the school nutrition programs. The board should ensure that the positions identified are authorized by applicable law to process information as designated in the National School Lunch program annual application.
Legal Reference: 42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq..
7 C.F.R. §§ 210 et seq..
Iowa Code § 283A.
281 I.A.C. 58.
Cross Reference: 710.1 School Nutrition Program
710.3 Vending Machines
710.4 Meal Charge Policy
Approved Reviewed November 2022 Revised September 2019
Food served or purchased by students during the school day and food served or purchased for other than special circumstances is approved by the superintendent. Vending machines in the school building are the responsibility of the building principal. Purchases from the vending machines will reflect the guidelines in the Wellness Policy 507.9.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for the use of vending machines and other sales of food to students.
Legal Reference:
42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq. (2012).
7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq. (2012).
Iowa Code ch. 283A (2013).
281 I.A.C. 58.
Cross Reference:
504.5 Student Fund Raising
710 School Food Services
Approved July 2000
Reviewed November 2022
Revised April 2011
In accordance with state and federal law, the [insert district name] adopts the following policy to ensure school district employees, families, and students have a shared understanding of expectations regarding meal charges. The policy seeks to allow students to receive the nutrition they need to stay focused during the school day, prevent the overt identification of students with insufficient funds to pay for school meals, and maintain the financial integrity of the nonprofit school nutrition program.
The Child Nurtition Program operates as a separate entity and a stand-alone non-profit business supporting the total education of each child through the provision of nutritional meals. The program goal is to serve nutritious meals and food to all clients at a minimum cost.
Students who are required to pay for meals are expected to provide payment in a timely fashion. However, the school board recognizes that on occasion students may need to charge a meal. Therefore, each student is allowed $10.00 meal charges. Students may not charge a la carte items. In addition, students may not purchase a la carte items if there are outstanding charges. Daily emails will be provided to allow parents/guardians to know their lunch balances. Parents/guardians can also call Heather Smith at 641-652-7531 ext 3257 to inquire about lunch balances.
Once a $10.00 negative balance has been noted, an alternate meal consisting of a cheese sandwich, fruit or vegetable and a carton of milk will be provided. Students and school staff may prepay in the cafeteria or pay at the time of purchase. School staff may charge up to $6.00. Staff members must also pay for any extra food purchases to comply with Federal Nutrition guidelines. Visitors are not allowed to charge. Parents/guardians can also prepay on our school website under food service.
The district is committed to helping families in time of crisis and in assisting with filing free/reduced lunch documentation. Information can be foudn on our website and also by contacting Heather Smith at 641-652-7531 ext 3257. Families that have unique circumstances should contact the superinendent to discuss the concern. It is the discretion of the superintendent to adjust the policy above in a case-by-case situation.
Communication of the Policy
The policy and supporting information regarding meal charges shall be provided in writing to:
• All households at or before the start of each school year;
• Students and families who transfer into the district, at time of transfer; and
• All staff responsible for enforcing any aspect of the policy.
Records of how and when the policy and supporting information was communicated to households and staff will be retained.
The superintendent may develop an administrative process to implement this policy.
Legal Reference: 42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq.
7 C.F.R. §§ 210 et seq.
U.S. Dep’t of Agric., SP 46-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Local Meal Charge Policies (2016).
U.S. Dep’t of Agric., SP 47-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Clarification on Collection of Delinquent Meal Payments (2016).
U.S. Dep’t of Agric., SP 57-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Guidance and Q&A (2016).
Iowa Code 283A.
281 I.A.C. 58.
Cross Reference: 710.1 School Food Program
710.2 Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility
710.3 Vending Machine
Approved Reviewed November 2022 Revised March 19, 2018
The incidence of severe food allergies in the general population is increasing. Anaphylactic shock can be caused when an allergic person is exposed to even a small amount of the allergen. Exposure can occur by swallowing, touching, and/or inhaling airborne particles or absorbing residues from other surfaces. Peanuts/nuts are the most common cause of fatal food reactions. In order to minimize the incidence of life threatening allergic reactions, the Cardinal Community School District will maintain a system-wide emergency plan for addressing life threatening allergic reactions. Training and education for Cardinal School employees, as well as building based student education, will occur to raise the level of awareness. Further, the District will utilize proactive procedures to minimize the chance of a child experiencing a life threatening allergic reaction.
1. At the Elementary, school staff and parents in classrooms where one or more students with a life threatening allergy will be notified of the health threat and be provided with a list of foods and materials to avoid.
2. The district requests that parents and students avoid including peanuts/nuts and peanut/nut products in lunches and snacks in grades PreK-12th. Elementary students who bring cold lunch will be required to eat lunch at a separate table.
3. NO HOMEMADE TREATS OR FOOD ITEMS, for students, will be brought into our schools either by parents or staff. All treats must be commercially prepared and packaged for distribution with intact ingredient labels. Classrooms with students who have life threatening allergies may have more specific guidelines.
4. Food preparation will not be allowed in the academic curriculum at the elementary level. An exception may be made for food preparation as related to the IEP of individual student’s goals served in special education.
5. At the Elementary - NO TYPE OF FOOD OR CANDY ITEM may be used as a part of a craft project or any elementary school project related to the curriculum whether made at home or school.
School Nurse Responsibilities:
1. To work with parents, health care providers, and school staff to develop the student’s Individualized Health Plan (IHP) and Emergency Health Plan (EHP) and to update these plans yearly and more often as needed.
2. To instruct staff, who interact with the student on a regular basis, in the dynamics of the student’s food allergy, to recognize symptoms of a reaction and to know what to do in an emergency.
3. To train designated staff in the EHP. This could include training in giving emergency medications and/or administering the epinephrine auto-injector.
4. To make educational information available to staff, students, and the community when requested.
5. To reinforce self-management of students in dealing with their food allergies.
Student Responsibilities:
1. Never trade food or share utensils with other students.
2. Be aware of the signs and symptoms of a reaction to known allergens.
3. Notify an adult immediately if he/she has eaten something that may contain the known allergen.
4. Participate in the development of his/her IHP and EHP, including signing and complying with the epinephrine auto injector contract, if indicated.
Legal Reference:
Cross Reference:
Approved Dec. 14, 2009
Reviewed November 2022
Revised
The before and after school program operates and a separate entity and as stand-alone non-profit business supporting parents that need additional childcare before and after school.
Parents are expected to provide payment in a timely fashion. Childcare bills will be generated and handed out to parents/guardians on Monday for the charges of the week before. Payments are due every Wednesday. Services will not be offered if payments are not made in a timely fashion. Parents will be notified if childcare services will be ended due to non-payment of charges. The district will use an electronic billing system to be more efficient. Each child will have a password for checking in and out.
The district is committed to helping families in time of crisis. Families that have unique circumstances should contact the superintendent to discuss the concern. It is the discretion of the superintendent to adjust the policy above in a case-by-case situation.
Approved October 2016
Reviewed November 2022
Revised