If you haven't had the opportunity to visit the Military Hall of Honor at VHS, please put it on your to do list...it's breathtaking. This exhibit is a tribute to all VHS graduates who have served our country. Amber Marrs added her father's name to the display, an Air Force veteran and 1959 graduate of Valparaiso High School. Adding a family member to the Military Hall of Honor is a lasting gift of gratitude at no cost. If there is someone you would like to nominate, visit https://valparaisohigh.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/vhsmilitaryhallofhonor and complete the form. Names are added to the wall twice a year, in May during Military Appreciation Month and in November for Veterans Day. Many veterans continue to serve after leaving the military. I am reminded of a Heavilin student's grandfather who volunteered to serve during the massive staff shortages of the pandemic. This beloved photo received the all time highest number of likes on our social media page. Thank you to those who have, or are, the ones willing and brave enough to protect and serve, happy Veterans Day!

With gratitude,

Kathy

Managers will spend Tuesday afternoon at Ashley's Turkey Camp to learn all the details of next week's Thanksgiving Feast. Bring your questions and ideas! Check out her pumpkin pie mousse tips below. Thank you to Erin Brooks' talented 10 year old daughter, Jerayah, from Cooks Corners who customized the video, TikTok style. Every "Celebrity Server" will be wearing a paper chef hat with a place to write their name on with a Sharpie. Start thinking now of a fun "chef" name to give your principals.

Congratulations to all who completed the ServSafe Food Handler training during the Back to School Workshop! Everyone passed the exam and is receiving a Certificate. Shout out to Luis Apolo, Megan Branham, Denise Johnson-Mills and Sue Clemens for scoring 100%. Pictured below are new VHS certificate holders (L-R) Brooke Prusak, Erin Brooks, Briana Mitseff, Luis Apolo and Melanie Maluchnik.

Central's farm to school sample this week featured Rainbow Carrots from Kankakee Valley Homestead in Walkerton, Indiana. Rainbow varieties include purple, yellow, dark and light orange. Rainbow carrots make salads pop and look gorgeous on fresh veggie trays.

Do you need lab work, an MRI or other test done? If you have VCS medical insurance, watch this video to see how easy it is to use the Sydney app to "shop" for the best price which will save you money. Often, hospitals are the most expensive place for services. Use the side by side comparison feature to see price differences between facilities.

We finally replaced the 300 lb. manual liftgate on Rob's truck with a shiny, new lightweight aluminum power one. This may not seem like much, but before, Rob had to pull out the heavy, rusty lift and open it all by hand. Now, the lift can be lowered with a push of a finger and opened with a tap of a foot. It's a breeze for anyone to drive the truck now. You definitely deserve this, Rob! Shout out to Laura and Ashley who went to Merrillville to pick up the truck late Friday afternoon. Yes, Ashley drove the truck. Yes, she was probably speeding.

Nothing takes the place of walking around after serving and asking students about the food they just purchased from you. Are you asking them what they like and what they don't like? Do you bring feedback back to our office where menus are created? Students love feeling empowered and an easy way to accomplish this is by recognizing customer requests and giving credit to them if/when it makes its way to the menu. Examples are below. I received an email from a student pleading to menu the Carnitas Burrito Bowl (he said he drools every time he thinks about it...). Even though we already had it on our cold weather rotation, we recognized the student by adding his name to a 5 star rating on our menu board for all to see. He loves it and feels like an "influencer." For another student who rarely buys lunch, we gave him a sample of the burrito bowl and he is a believer! I thanked him and let him know he's featured on our facebook page. We expect to see him as a repeat customer. While you can't grant every wish, you can listen to let your student customers know you are interested in what they want.

Experiment by combining familiar flavors in a new way. Check out these easy to play with recipes you can try at home. With the weather getting colder, I can't wait to try the Mocha and Ice Cream Melt!

Your Perspectives EAP is here to provide confidential, no-cost support for you and your family 24/7.

• Call or text 800.456.6327 to schedule an appointment with a counselor or contact us for in-the-moment support.
  

• Use the “Live Chat” feature on your Perspectives Online Portal to instant message with a counselor 7 a.m.-9 p.m. CST Mon.-Fri. (Remember to use your unique Access Code, and your Password is perspectives

Here’s how to access your EAP:

• EAP Brochure

• Access Code: valpo

Resources

• Grief Handout
• Stress Response Guide
• Collective Trauma & 10 Tips for Coping

Any permanent employee (including substitutes) interested in any of these positions can apply by emailing a brief letter of interest to Kathy Kane, Director at kkane@valpo.k12.in.us.

Non-employees can apply by completing an online application as an External Applicant here: https://www.applitrack.com/valpo/onlineapp/

FS Tech, Heavilin, 4 hours

FS Tech, BF Middle, 4.5 hours

FS Tech, Central, 4 hours

FS Tech, VHS, 4 hours

November 22-24, 2023 Thanksgiving Holiday (No Work)

December 21, 2023 Half Day K-12 (Regular Work Day)

December 22 - January 5, 2024 Holiday Break (No Work Days)

January 8, 2024 Classes resume (Regular Work Day)

Past issues of Friday Focus are posted on our department website on the Staff Training page here:

https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1221036&type=d&pREC_ID=1455849

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Our mission is to support academic and lifelong success by nourishing students and building healthy eating habits.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Email: kkane@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/nutrition
Location: 2727 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso, IN 46385
Phone: (219) 531-3050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValpoSchoolFood
Twitter: @ValpoSchoolFood

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