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SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 3
May 26, 2000 |
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | JoLynne DeMary Acting Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Letter of Agreement to Participate in the School Nutrition Programs for the 2000-2001 School Year |
Regulations governing School Nutrition Programs require each school division to enter into a written agreement with the Department of Education (DOE) annually 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, 2000. 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 2000-2001 without an approved Letter of Agreement. The Code of Virginia requires school divisions to establish a school breakfast program in each public school in which 25 percent or more of the currently enrolled children are determined to be eligible for free or reduced-price meals as of October 31 of the preceding school year. New or realigned schools shall use student free and reduced price eligibility and membership data as of October 31 of the current school year. Any new or realigned school with 25 percent or more free or reduced price meal eligible students shall begin a school breakfast program on the first operating day in January of the current school year. 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 after school program. The after school 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 federal program must complete the Afterschool Snack Program Agreement form included with this memo (SL 10A-2.1) The purpose of the school nutrition program 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. JLD/CDG/idl Attachments Authority Statement: a) U.S. Department of Agriculture Regulations (7 CFR Part 210, 215, 220, 245 and 3018) b) 8 VAC 20-580-10 /administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/reg003a.pdf /administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/reg003b.pdf /administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/reg003c.pdf /administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/reg003d.pdf /administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/reg003e.pdf /administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/reg003f.pdf /administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/reg003g.pdf /administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/reg003h.pdf /administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/reg003i.pdf /administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/reg003j.pdf