REGULATORY

Regulations governing School Nutrition Programs require 
each school division to enter into a written agreement 
with the Department of Education (DOE) annually, in order 
to participate in the National School Lunch, School 
Breakfast, Special Milk and/or the Afterschool Snack 
Programs.


The Letter of Agreement (SL 10), attachments, and the 
instructions for completion are enclosed. Please review 
the instructions carefully.


Two copies of the completed documents, with original 
signatures on each, must be submitted to the Department 
of Education, Office of School Nutrition Programs by July 
1, 1999.  An approved copy will be returned to the school 
division, and must be maintained on file.  Federal 
reimbursement for meals cannot be paid for the school 
year 1999-2000 without an approved Letter of Agreement.


The Code of Virginia requires school divisions to 
establish a school breakfast program in each public 
school where 25 percent or more of the enrolled children 
during the previous school year were eligible for free or 
reduced-price meals.  Please review eligibility data for 
each of your schools prior to completing this Letter of 
Agreement. If any of your schools meet this criterion, a 
breakfast program must be established. 


School Divisions that have students attending split 
session kindergarten programs, who do not have access to 
the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, and/or schools 
that do not participate in the National School Lunch and 
School Breakfast Programs, may apply to participate in 
the "Special Milk Program for Children."


School divisions may also receive federal reimbursement 
for snacks served to students in an afterschool program. 
The afterschool programs must meet the criteria outlined 
in Superintendent's Regulatory Memo #2, dated April 30, 
1999, to qualify for federal reimbursement. School 
divisions choosing to participate in this new federal 
program must complete the Afterschool Snack Program 
Agreement form included with this memo (SL 10A-2.1)


The purpose of the school nutrition programs is to . . . 
"safeguard the health and well-being of our nation's 
children." Meals served to adults are not eligible for 
federal reimbursement, nor do they count toward 
determining the value of donated food assistance. Federal 
reimbursements, students' meal payments, and other 
nonprofit food service revenues cannot be used to 
subsidize meals served to adults.  Breakfasts and lunches 
served to administrators, teachers, custodians, and other 
adults must be priced so that the adult payment is 
sufficient to cover the overall cost of the meals, 
including the value of any donated foods.


There is a critical link between nutrition and learning. 
Good nutrition feeds successful learning. The School 
Nutrition Programs help students get the nutrition they 
need to learn, grow, and develop.  Your continued support 
for these programs is essential.  Please ensure that the 
director of your School Nutrition Program complies with 
this regulatory information by the required deadlines.


Questions regarding the Letter of Agreement or any of the 
School Nutrition Programs should be directed to Catherine 
Digilio Grimes, Director of School Nutrition Programs at 
(804) 225-2074.


PDS/idl

Attachments:    A hard copy of this memo and its attach-
                ment will be sent to the superintendent's
                office.