​Five Star Meals
Raising the Bar for School Meals

In an effort to continually improve the qual​ity of the menus we offer our students we are raising the bar on the standards of our school meals. Our focus is on enhancing the diet of students with more nutritious choices here at school and by providing nutrition education that will help students form healthy habits that last a lifetime!

Federal legislation known as Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 authorizes funding and sets policy for USDA's core child nutrition programs: the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and other federal food programs. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act allows USDA the opportunity to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children. This act has establish the healthy guidelines that form the basis for good nutrition in schools. We encourage you to follow similar healthy guidelines at home.

Key enhancements include an increase in the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat fluid milk in our meals. We are also reducing in​ the levels of sodium, saturated fat and eliminating added trans fat in meals. We do not supersize our meals, but instead strive to meet the nutrition needs of students within their age specific calorie requirements.

See how we're buidling better menus in the video below:​​​

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Nutrition

Good nutrition leads to great academic performance

Your body needs healthy fuel to perform, to grow and to ward off illness and disease. Would you feed a million dollar racehorse junk food & soda? Of course not, so think about what you eat...because you are worth far more than a horse!

Good nutrition has a positive and direct impact on your ability to do well in school. When your nutritional needs are met, you have the cognitive energy to learn and achieve. You will be better prepared to learn, more likely to attend school, and are more apt to take advantage of learning opportunities.

Protein – Choose a variety of foods with lean protein

Protein is an indispensable nutrient and can be found throughout every tissue in our body. Protein is a vital source of energy but the most important function of protein is building and repairing tissue. We also need protein for our immune function, proteins transport vitamins and minerals throughout our body.

Grains – Make half of all the grains you eat whole grains

Eating grains, especially whole grains, provides health benefits. Dietary fiber from whole grains, may help reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Grains are important sources of many nutrients, including several B vitamins, magnesium and selenium.

Vegetables - Make at least half of your plate fruits and vegetables

Eating vegetables provides health benefits — people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body.

Fruits – Make at least half of your plate fruits and vegetables

Eating fruit provides health benefits — people who eat more fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Fruits provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body.

Dairy – Always choose fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk

Milk and dairy products are especially important to bone health during school aged years, when bone mass is being built. It provides important sources of calcium, potassium and vitamin D, and help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and help to lower blood pressure in adults.

Fats - The American Heart Association encourages people to focus on replacing high-fat foods with vegetables, fruit, poultry, lean meat, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. The average American is still consuming about 15% of total calories as saturated fat where recommended amounts are 10% or less.

Individual food items served at school will not contain more than 23 grams of fat with an exception of one individual food item per week. No food items can exceed 28 grams of fat at any time. (with peanut butter as an exemption). We do not allow Deep-Fat Frying as a method of on-site preparation of meals at any of our schools.

Some of 10 Worst Drinks in America: Watch out for high fat foods and drinks outside of school that masquerade as being healthy. Take a look at some of the 10 worst drinks in America. What single serving bottle of childrens juice has the equivalent of 7 bowls of Whip Cream? What smoothie has the same amount of fat as 20 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? What flavored water has the same about of sugar and fat as 2 Chocolate Eclair ice cream bars? What tea has the equivalent amount of sugar as 7 bowls of Fruit Loops? Be smart when you choosing your food and drinks...and read the nutrition label!

Facts about Fats from the American Heart Association

Health professionals recommend replacing some of the saturated fat and all trans fat with nonhydrogenated monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Saturated fats are found in foods such as meat, cheese, whole milk and ice cream.

Sodium - We have aggressive goals for reducing sodium with targeted implementation over the next 10 years. By reducing foods that are processed and choosing more consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, and dairy is a good way to lower sodium consumption.​

Ten Tips for Reducing Sodium in your Diet

Your body only needs about 500 mg of sodium per day however the average American diet exceeds the RDA amount of 2300mg, while people with high blood pressure should consume less than 1500mg/day.
Most of the sodium consumption (77%) in the American diet comes from processed foods, 12% is naturally occurring, 6% is added at the table and 5% is added during cooking. An important way to reduce sodium consumption is in food selection.

Foods with Minimal Nutritional Value will not be Offered​​

Soda and Soda Water
Includes any carbonated beverage, including those with added nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and protein.

Water Ices
Includes any frozen, sweetened water such as popsicles and other "...sicles" and flavored ice with the exception of products that contain 100% fruit or fruit juice.

Chewing Gum
Includes any flavored products made from natural or synthetic gums and other ingredients that form an insoluble mass for chewing.

Certain Candies
Includes any processed foods made predominantly from sweeteners or artificial sweeteners, including hard candy, jellies and gums, marshmallow candies, fondant, licorice, spun candy and candy-coated popcorn.​​

In order to plan a healthy diet, we must know how to read a food label. Food labels show us if a food has a little or a lot of certain nutrients. Look on the side of a product to find the Nutrition Facts title.

You will find the serving size of the food below the nutrition facts title. Similar food products have similar serving sizes. The servings per container are also included to let you compare what you actually eat with the serving size on that product. So remember, if the serving size is 1 cup and you eat 2 cups, then you will need to double the numbers on the label.

% Daily values are listed to give you an idea of how one serving of a product contributes nutritionally to a 2000 calorie diet. Use the % daily values to see if a food has a little or a lot of a nutrient.

The amount of calories in one serving of the product is listed. Only a few nutrients are listed on the Nutrition Facts label-those that relate to today's most important health issues. The label lists total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium because people eat too much of these.

Fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium and iron are listed because people do not eat enough of these everyday. You should try to eat at least 100% of the daily value of each of these everyday.

Fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, total carbohydrate, fiber, sugars, protein, vitamins A and C, calcium and iron are required on the label. Other nutrients may be listed if the company would like to list them.

Nutrition Facts

Get the nutrition facts on common foods found in Fruits, Vegetables and Seafood. Learn about the calories, fat and nutrients found in these foods as Percent Daily Values (%DV) based on that found in an 2,000 calorie diet.

What Are Nutrients?

Nutrients are substances found in food that are needed for good health. Your body can't make nutrients, so they must be supplied by food. During digestion, food is broken down into nutrients, which are absorbed into your bloodstream and carried to every cell in your body. More than 40 nutrients in food are classified into six groups: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water. Each nutrient has a specific function and they all work together for your good health.

Carbohydrates - are the body's main source of energy or calories. Carbohydrates are classified in two groups: complex carbohydrates (starches) and sugars. Fiber, which is another carbohydrate, aids digestion and helps fight some diseases but is not a nutrient because it is not digested and absorbed by the body.

Protein - supplies energy and amino acids. Amino acids are building blocks that build, repair, and maintain every cell in your body.

Fats - also supply energy but they have many other functions. Fats transport nutrients and they are a part of many body cells. Fats provide storage and insulation for your body. Carbohydrates and proteins that are not needed for energy are stored as fat.

Vitamins - trigger many different body processes. These compounds are needed in very small amounts in the diet to regulate chemical reactions in the body. Each vitamin has a specific job in your body, so one vitamin can't replace another. Vitamins do not provide energy but they help our bodies use the energy from foods.

Minerals - are like vitamins and are used in the body to promote chemical reactions and form body structures.

You can Grow Nutrition at Home!

Starting a garden is a great way to make nutrition tangible. Food gardening allows you to see, touch, smell and taste "nutrition". A garden is also an excellent way to learn about the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables. Gardens can help you gain a better understanding and appreciation for the environment.

Gardens produce results you that can see, touch and taste. Children are eager to try the "fruits" of their labor. There is nothing like the taste of fresh and flavorful vegetables you have grown yourself!

Eat Your Vegetables! Research in children's food preferences indicates that simple exposure to a food will enhance willingness to try it. Familiarity tends to increase the perception that a food tastes good. Children also like to eat foods eaten by those they admire.

Parents find that children involved in gardening projects are more interested in nutrition and food labels. It is an excellent opportunity to help them understand the importance of eating different colored fruits and vegetables, and how they will help them to stay healthy.

Gardens come in different flavors. There are a lots of ways to start a garden and lots of different kinds of gardens you can start. There are raised bed gardens, greenhouse gardens, garden plots, and even container gardens. Container gardens can be as simple as a single pot, to planters, troughs, or wheel barrels. Plant some flowers too! You don't need much to start a garden!

Great for the family. Gardens are a great way to spend time with your kids and teach them about the importance of planning, preparation & caring for something that will reward them for a job well done.​

Water - is a part of every cell and tissue in the body. Water carries nutrients to cells and removes wastes products. Water is also needed to help regulate body temperature. Water makes up 55-75% of your body weight.

Vegetable Growing Seasons

Guide to Planning a Garden

How to Start a Garden

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Smart Snacks in School

We are focused on the health of our school environment. Our school district has established nutrition standards for all snacks sold in school by any entity, including parent/student organizations, teachers, boosters, fundraisers, or the food and nutrition services department. These standards for snack sales are in effect from any time before school through 1/2 hour after school, in accordance with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, the USDA and our district Wellness Policy. Non-compliant foods may be sold from 1/2 hour after school through the end of the day. These standards carefully balance science-based nutrition guidelines with practical and flexible solutions to promote healthier eating on campus. 

Kids often need snacks to help them get enough calories (ENERGY) throughout the day. Choosing healthy snacks that add nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to their diets is essential. Smart snacking is a great way to meet daily nutrient requirements that may be missed at meal times.

Students in our district are offered healthier school meals with more fruits, vegetables and whole grains through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. The Smart Snacks in School standards published by the USDA will build on those healthy advancements by ensuring that all other snack foods and beverages available for sale to students in school are tasty and nutritious.

Nutrition Standards for Foods

Any food sold in school must:

• Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product; or
• Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product or a protein food; or
• Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
• Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber)

Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements:

Calorie limits

• Snack items - Elementary Schools: ≤ 175 calories
• Snack items - Middle & High Schools: ≤ 200 calories
• Entrée items: ≤ 350 calories

Sodium limits

• Snack items: ≤ 200 mg
• Entrée items: ≤ 480 mg

Fat limits

• Total fat: ≤ 35% of calories
• Saturated fat: ≤ 10% of calories
• Trans fat: zero grams

Sugar limit ≤ 35% of weight from total sugars in foods

Accompaniments

Accompaniments such as cream cheese, salad dressing and butter must be included in the nutrient profile as part of the food item sold. This helps control the amount of calories, fat, sugar and sodium added to foods.

Nutrient Standards for Beverages

All schools may sell:

• Plain water (with or without carbonation)
• Unflavored low fat milk
• Unflavored or flavored fat free milk and milk alternatives permitted by NSLP/SBP
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice, and 100% fruit or vegetable juice diluted with water (with or without carbonation) and no added sweeteners

Elementary schools may sell up to 8-ounce portions, while middle and high schools may sell up to 12-ounce portions of milk and juice. There is no portion size limit for plain water.

Beyond this, the standards allow additional “no calorie” and “lower calorie” beverage options for high school students.

• No more than 20-ounce portions of calorie-free, flavored water (with or without carbonation); and other flavored and/or carbonated beverages that are labeled to contain < 5 calories per 8 fluid ounces or ≤ 10 calories per 20 fluid ounces.
• No more than 12-ounce portions of beverage with ≤ 40 calories per 8 fluid ounces, or ≤ 60 calories per 12 fluid ounces. Healthy Fundraisers
• Food items that meet nutrition standards are not limited
• The standards do not apply during non-school hours, on weekends and at off-campus fundraising events
• The standards provide a special exemption for infrequent fundraisers that do not meet the nutrition standards. Each State agency is responsible for establishing the number of exempt fundraisers that may be held in schools each year.

Kids in the Kitchen

There are plenty of fun ways to liven up snack time using healthy fruits, vegetables and cheeses. Kids will love creating and eating fun-to-make snacks with you in the kitchen! Click on the image to the right to watch a video to learn about some fun and healthy snack ideas that you can make with your kids in the kitchen.

Kids are "Cooking up Good Nutrition" by practicing in the meal preparation process...everything from shopping in the grocery store, to meal planning and preparation in the kitchen.

Get involved and learn about good nutrition and healthy eating. Learn about the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables. Learn how to avoid foods with empty calories, foods with no nutrition value.

Getting involved in the kitchen is fun! There are plenty of fun ways to liven up snack time using healthy fruits, vegetables and cheeses. You will love creating and eating fun-to-make snacks with your kids in the kitchen!

Videos for Healthy Easy-to-Make Recipe Ideas

Healthy Snacks - Fresh Vegetables & Low-fat Cheese Shish-Kabobs

Registered Dietician and SuperKids Nutrition Founder and Creator of the Super Crew ®, Melissa Halas-Liang guides a team of young chefs through the fun filled process of making nutrition snacks using fresh vegetables and low-fat Cabot Cheeses. Eat more veggies!

 

Healthy Snacks - Creative Whole Grain Popcorn Treats

Registered Dietician and SuperKids Nutrition Founder and Creator of the Super Crew ®, Melissa Halas-Liang, shows us how to make a multitude of flavorful and healthy snacks with popcorn. Make at least half of the grains you eat...whole grains!

 

​​Snacking Tips for Parents

• Plan ahead and buy healthy snacks when you shop. You will save money and make healthier choices than if you or your kids are buying snacks on the go.
• Provide kids with choices and make those choices nutritious.
• Pre-portion you child's snacks into small plastic bags to grab on the go.
• Combine snacks from at least two food groups to pack more nutrients into your child's diet... it will be more filling and it will hold them over to the next meal.
• And remember... space snacks far enough between meals so appetites are not spoiled!​
  

Healthy Dairy Snac​k Ideas

• String Cheese and Fruit
• Low fat or nonfat Milk or Yogurt Smoothies with 100% fruit juice and sliced bananas or strawberries
• Cottage Cheese or Yogurt with fruit (fresh or canned)
• Fat-Free or 1% White, Chocolate or Flavored Milk
  

Healthy F​ruit and Veggie Snack Ideas

• Raw Vegetables with low-fat yogurt dip, cottage cheese or humus
  • Baby Carrots
  • Celery Sticks
  • Cucumber Slices
• Apples and cheese - pears and other fruits are good too!
• Frozen fruit bars
• Trail mix with nuts and dried fruit
• 100% Fruit Juice box
  

Healthy Grain Sn​ack Ideas

• Whole-grain crackers with cheese or peanut butter
• Whole-grain cereal with milk
• Flavored rice cakes (like caramel or apple cinnamon) with peanut butter
• Baked potato chips, or tortilla chips with salsa
• Popcorn - Air popped or low-fat microwave
• Pretzel sticks and a glass of milk
• Vanilla wafers, gingersnaps, graham crackers, animal crackers, fig bar or raisins, and a glass of milk​

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Nutrition and Fitness

The winning recipe for a healthy lifestyle includes a combination of both good nutrition and physical activity. Your body needs a variety of nutrient rich foods to grow and prevent illness. And your body also needs to move and exercise every day.

Key things you need to know about leading a healthy lifestyle are:

• Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grain products
• Control portion sizes and never "supersize"
• Get active for at least 60 minutes, five times a week for ages 6-18
• Avoid tobacco and illegal drugs all together

Well-nourished students have higher test scores, increased school attendance, improved concentration, and improved classroom behavior. Students, who are physically fit, sleep better and are better able to handle the physical and emotional challenges that they encounter during the day. 

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Sports Nutrition

School aged athletes need to energize their bodies with good nutrition if they hope to perform their at their best. Whether it's playing football, swimming or jogging, athletes need to eat a nutritious, balanced diet to fuel their body. Good nutrition, like any sporting event, has basic ground rules and nothing affects your ability to compete more than good nutrition.

Eating the right foods helps you stay physically fit and reach your optimum performance. To reach your highest potential and maintain a winning edge, all of your body systems must be perfectly tuned using proper nutrition.

Eat a variety of Healthy Foods and stay Hydrated. The young bodies of student athletes are still growing. It is important to nourish that growth and fuel the demands of strenuous exercise and organized sports.

That translates into eating a variety of foods every day - grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, lean meats, and low fat dairy products. The base of the diet should come from carbohydrates in the form of starches and sugars. Fluids, especially water, are also important to the winning combination. Dehydration can stop even the finest athlete from playing his or her best game.

Eat enough Energy, Protein, Vitamins, Minerals and Fiber.

• Choose lots of brightly colored Fruits and Vegetables.

• Get plenty of Calcium. Calcium helps build healthy bones.

• Iron is important. Iron helps carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron-rich foods include red meat, chicken, tuna, salmon, eggs, dried fruits, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains.

• Protein for strength. Protein can help build muscles, along with regular training and exercise. Protein-rich foods include fish, lean red meat and poultry, dairy products, nuts, soy products, and peanut butter.

• Smart Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates or "carbs" provide energy for the body and are an important source of fuel for young athletics. However, there is no need for "carb loading" before a big game. Choose carbohydrates in whole-grain foods that are less processed and high in fiber, like pasta, brown rice, whole-grain bread, and cereal. Fiber also helps lower cholesterol and may help prevent diabetes and heart disease.

• Water, and staying properly hydrated, is key to an athlete’s success.
  

Without the right foods, even physical conditioning and expert coaching aren't enough to push you to be your best. ​Good nutrition must be a key part of your training program for you to succeed.

Winning Nutrition for Athletes 

Don't Let your Diet Let you Down! 

Why are Carbohydrates Important for Athletes? 

Triad Female Athletes 

Eating Before Competing 

Eating After Exercise ​​

Water Helps you Stay Hydrated 

Pre-game Snacks ​

​Is Stretching That Important?​

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Fitness

60 Minutes of Activity a Day...do it for life!

Fit "Fitness" into your busy day - It is important to your health and success. Whether it is walking the dog, running, or riding a bike... make physical activity one of the healthy habits in your daily life.

Get out and get active - limit sedentary activities. Student's lifestyles today are very different from their parents'. TV, video games, texting and online social networks are now​ replacing the neighborhood kickball game. Kids and teens are spending more time sitting and less time running, jumping and playing. Commit to staying active.

What are the Benefits? Students who are physically fit will...

• Find it easier to maintain a healthy weight
  
• Sleep better
• Have higher self-esteem and self-confidence
• Be more attentive in class and perform better in school
• Have proper growth with stronger bones, muscles, and joints
• Feel less stressed
• Reduce their risk of chronic disease
• Decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• Have lower blood pressure
• Have lower LDL "bad" blood cholesterol levels, and raise HDL "good" cholesterol levels
• Feel happier and have a better outlook on life!

More on Fitness
10 Tips to Healthy Eating & Physical Activity

⚖️ BMI Calculator

​My Activity Pyramid

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Additional Resources​

🍎Healthy Eating and Kids N​utrition, SuperKidsNutrition.com

🥕Academy of Nutrition and Dietics, eatright.org

Nutrition Glossary

Guide to Good Eating

Tips​ for Teachers​​