Press Play

OCTOBER 2023

"Sometimes I feel like I've been here before

It's like the past knocking on my door

Sometimes I feel like I'm standing still

Or better yet I'm running up a hill.

I need a fresh start, let's go back to the top

Rewind the tape and reset the clock

This time, there's no turning back."

Fresh start

— Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

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Unanticipated School Closures

Option 1 — SFSP or SSO

• Available October through April
• Must be area-eligible
• Flexibilities for non-congregate, parent pick-up, and meal service times
• Up to 10 days unless an approved exemption is granted

Option 2 — CACFP At-Risk

• Now through June 30, 2024
• Must be area-eligible
• Flexibilities for non-congregate, parent pick-up, and meal service times
• Enrichment is waived
• Up to 10 days unless an approved exemption is granted

Option 3 — NSLP/SBP

• Now through June 30, 2024
• Virtual instruction must be provided
• Flexibilities for non-congregate, parent pick-up, and meal service times

• Up to 10 days unless an approved exemption is granted

For more information, please visit SquareMeals.org.

Did you miss the last TDA School Call?

You can watch the recording HERE.

View the slides:

• Policy Updates
• USDA Updates
• School Operations Update
• Nutrition Updates

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WBSCM Allows TDA and Recipient Agencies (RAs) to use the same online application to enter and track requisitions for USDA Foods.

TIMELINE

We are now in the Statewide Training Phase of the transition project. ESC Region 11 is committed to preparing you for success as we transition together. Please plan to join us for training!

With the transition to WBSCM, there is no longer a place to opt-in to DoD Farm Fresh. TDA has created a process for opting in utilizing a JotForm.

DoD Opt-In

DoD TIMELINE FOR PY 2024-2025

October 2, 2023: DoD Opt-In opens

October 31, 2023: DoD Opt-In closes at COB

November 2023: DoD Entitlement Distribution completed

WBSCM TRAINING SCHEDULE

OCTOBER 3

WBSCM Getting Started

OCTOBER 10

WBSCM Entitlement

OCTOBER 17

WBSCM Requisitions

OCTOBER 24

WBSCM Entitlement, Menu Planning, Forecasting

OCTOBER 31

WBSCM Account Setup

NOVEMBER 7

WBSCM Reports

NOVEMBER 14

WBSCM Make-up/Office Hours

Visit the ESC Region 11 website for the WBSCM Transition plan, and to register for classes, click HERE.

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I have noticed my students with special needs are no longer coming to the cafeteria. An aide is coming to get the meals and taking them back to the classroom. I thought the students needed to select their own meals. Did the regulations change to allow teachers to pick up meals for students?

Sincerely,

Missing my Friends

Hi, Missing my Friends,

If your school operates Offer vs. Serve, you do need to allow EVERY student to select their meal! If students are not able to physically come through the line, they can still "order" the food they want and have an aide pick it up for them. They will need to sign off that they received the meal, as every meal claimed needs to be tied to a student, and we need to verify the student received the meal.

If your school is straight serve, the students still need to come through the line whenever possible. If they are not physically able to go through the line, an aide is allowed to get the meal for them, but we still need to verify that the student received the meal.

The cafeteria must be as inclusive as possible for all students, including those with special needs or other differences. If the student is able to go through the serving line, that is the best option for feeding them!

As always, the students MUST be able to choose the type of milk they would like.

You can always refer to Section 21 of the ARM for more information.

Sincerely,

ROSIE

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OCTOBER 31

Count of Enrolled Students

Attachment B Upload Due

NOVEMBER 1

Verification Report Opens (JotForm)

NOVEMBER 15

Verification Complete

NOVEMBER 28

Verification Report Due

DECEMBER 1

New FSMC RFP Contracts Submitted to TDA

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• Administrative Review Resources on our Website
• SNA 23-24 Promotional Calendar
• 2023-24 Breakfast and Lunch Meal Pattern Chart
• The ICN On-Demand Training
• SNA Recipe Library
• A Yummy Curriculum

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OCTOBER 9

Meal Pattern (Breakfast, Lunch, Snack for Pre-K, K-5, 6-8, 9-12)

OCTOBER 11-13

Writing, Updating, and Revising the HACCP Plan

OCTOBER 17

WBSCM Requisitions

OCTOBER 24

WBSCM Receipting

OCTOBER 26

The Monthly Rewind Webinar

OCTOBER 31

WBSCM Account Set-Up

NOVEMBER 7

WBSCM Reports

NOVEMBER 9

The Monthly Rewind Webinar

NOVEMBER 14

WBSCM Make-Up/Office Hours

NOVEMBER 15

Menu Planning for Healthy School Meals and Food Allergies for School Nutrition Managers and Staff/Accommodating Special Dietary Needs

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Email: padams@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/childnutrition
Location: 1451 South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX, USA
Phone: 817-740-7545
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESC11ChildNutrition

PA 10.3.23, JK 10.3.23, BM 10.3.23