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School Lunch Program (2011-2012)

Jessica Cabrera, Kitchen Coordinator
Jill Meyer, Kitchen Asst.
Julie Rubio, Kitchen Asst.

LUNCH - School lunches are prepared in the school kitchen or provided by outside vendors:

Good Food, Inc., Chick-Fil-A, Subway, and Papa John Pizza.

ALL LUNCHES FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR ARE NOW PRICED at $4.25.

Lunches are to be purchase monthly. Prior to the beginning of each new month, a lunch menu and card with instructions are send home with each child. The calendars and newsletters are also available online. Parents/guardians mark directly on each child's card those lunches that the child will purchase for the month. DO NOT MARK THE DAYS THAT YOUR CHILD WILL NOT PURCHASE LUNCH. This marked card, along with the proper payment for the number of lunches chosen, is return to your child's teacher by the due date listed in the instructions. The lunch cards are color coded according to grade levels: Yellow = K, 1, 2; Green = 3, 4, 5 and Blue = 6, 7, 8. If you have more than one child, staple all lunch cards together with a one check for the total amount and send it into school to the attention of the kitchen. Checks are made payable to "Saint Leo the Great School." A record of the lunches chosen by your student should be kept at home. The kitchen staff does NOT keep a record of the student's bought lunches. The only record we have is the actual lunch card.

LUNCH CARD USE AND CONTROL - Parents/guardians must complete all required information on their child's lunch card before returning it (with payment) to the homeroom teacher or middle school advisor. The individual lunch card is retain at school in the homeroom or home base and provided to the student on those days the child indicated to buy lunch. The student presents the card at the kitchen window where it is marked and returned to the teacher for the following lunch day. The intent of this system is to eliminate the problem of lost or forgotten cards and to ensure the accuracy of the lunch count. Every child must have his/her own lunch card. There is no sharing - no exceptions. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST LUNCH CARDS.

DRINKS - Milk is available daily for those who participate in the milk program. The milk program is purchase in full at the beginning of the school year. The cost for the 2011-12 school year is $36.00 per child. Students can choose between 2% White or 1% Chocolate milk. You must indicate one type for the entire year. Children who bring lunch from home and do not participate in the school milk program must bring their own lunch beverage. Glass bottles and carbonated beverages are not allowed in the Cafeteria.

ICE CREAM - This year - Ice cream treats are now included with the Pizza lunches. We will serve various ice cream treats such as ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cones, ice cream cups, popsicles, etc. to all lunches and these items will be served at the kitchen window with the child's lunch. These will vary from week to week will depend on availability. The students need to pick up their treats at the kitchen window at the time they get their lunch. They will not be able to get their treat after being seated. No Exceptions.

KITCHEN OPERATIONS - Our kitchen operates under permit issued by Fairfax County. It is subject to a "No Notice Inspection" by the Virginia Department of Health inspectors. All food preparation and serving is supervised by a Certified Food Manager who has been issued certification by the Fairfax County Health Department. We are fortunate that all 3 staff persons have taken classes and passed exams in order to be Certified Food Managers.

CUSTOMIZED AND FORGOTTEN LUNCHES - It is the responsibility of students and parents/guardians to review the lunch menu. If your child does not like what is being offered on a particular day, then you need to send a lunch from home. Unfortunately, we do not have the staff or the time to customize lunch to satisfy a child's particular taste. We will only offer what has been prepared to those desiring to purchase lunch.

If you are bringing a lunch from home, please make sure to pack a well-balanced, nutritious lunch. Fast food lunches are not acceptable and "Lunchables"-type foods are highly discouraged. Please reference the handbook or the Diocesan Health & Wellness policy for more information.

Forgotten lunches are a significant problem. If the child has not pre-purchased the lunch offering of the day, it is the responsibility of parents/guardians and students to ensure that a lunch has been brought from home. If a student does not have a lunch, for whatever reason, milk, cereal and fruit will be provided, no child will go hungry. The first missing lunch will be provided as a courtesy.

REPEATED NEED TO PROVIDE LUNCH FOR A STUDENT WILL REQUIRE A BILLING OF $4.25 PER LUNCH TO THE PARENTS/GUARDIAN. IT IS EXPECTED THAT PAYMENT WILL BE FORWARDED IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT. Invoices will be sent home monthly.

STUDENT ABSENCE - Unfortunately, we cannot issue refunds or rain checks for meals when students are absent. It is not possible for us to make last minute daily changes with our vendors, as they need adequate time for the purchase of food supplies to service our daily lunches. We must pre-order all lunches and we are billed for and receive that number. We are confident that the families understand and appreciate the amount of planning and detailed paperwork involved in this process. Please refer to the handbook for more information.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: Regarding menu changes for missed school days due to inclement weather, under Section III, Administrative Procedures in the Parent/Student Handbook 2011-12: In order to remain on our established menu schedule, the school is responsible for payment to our food suppliers for missed lunches. Therefore, refunds or credits are not provided.

KITCHEN VISITS AND COMMENTS - Visits during the school year are welcomed on a scheduled basis, outside of lunch periods. To schedule a visit or to offer comments, please contact Jessica Cabrera, Kitchen Coordinator, at 703-359-6650, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM, or any time via email at kitchen@saintleothegreatschool.org. Parents are also invited to eat lunch with their child at any time, just send a note through your child's teacher. Please also notify Kitchen and Front desk. You are allowed to bring an outside lunch in or if you would like to purchase a hot lunch to eat with your child, please pay in advance when the monthly calendar goes home and mark your child's ticket accordingly.

Our Food Vendors:

Our Ice Cream Vendors: