I recently tried a new restaurant and decided to order a Spelt Soft Pretzel with pimento cheese. It was really, really good and I knew I needed to learn more about it. Spelt is an unprocessed whole grain and dates as far back as the ancient Romans. Baking with spelt flour is easy to work with, it takes little to no time to rise. Creating the perfect Spelt Soft Pretzel is now definitely on my retirement to do list. Incorporating whole grains into your diet is so important. It's almost unbelievable that you can find something really delicious that works to lower cholesterol, prevent certain cancers, assist in weight loss and prevent heart disease and stroke! Finding healthy foods you enjoy eating is the key to success. When we eat things just because "we're supposed to," odds of success are reduced. Finding the right kind of food for you with the right kind of flavor is a lifelong search. Keep trying new things and keep introducing new things to our students.

With gratitude,

Kathy

Last week, Senior Kodi Nowacki went out of his way to ask to see a supervisor. When Cafe Manager Shannon Butler went to see what he wanted, he said, "You don't have a suggestion box so I didn’t know what to do." Shannon asked what he needed help with and he told her, " I don't know her name, but the lady at the Build station always has a conversation with me and just brightens my day!" Shannon told Kodi that the "lady's" name is Mrs. Hall. Thank you, Sharon Hall, in your short time here you've already made a difference in the life of a student!

Ashley, Laura and Jenn attended the Indiana School Nutrition Association Conference in South Bend last week, November 6-8. Sessions included topics on using AI in School Nutrition, Non-profit Finance, Marketing, Productivity and more. They came back with new leadership inspiration and menu ideas. Thank you for committing to your professional growth, we will all benefit from it!

We don't often imagine oats in a savory dish. This make ahead recipe sounds like a great way to incorporate a familiar whole grain into the menu. I'm wondering if adding a protein could make this the perfect Elote Bowl?

Vicente has been hard at work preparing instructions for our annual Thanksgiving Feast, including a service and presentation plan. Managers received training at our monthly Leadership meeting which they will share with staff. Ashley invited administrators to once again be a Celebrity Server. Students really look forward to this day, thank you for making it special.

Want to roast some of those fresh pumpkins you have? See the link below for different preparation methods for oven roasting. Much easier than I imagined!

An impressive group of seventeen School Nutrition Vikings attended a Food Allergy Training Tuesday afternoon in Merrillville. Christine Clarahan, Crown Point Food Service Director, instructed the 4 hour course from the Institute of Child Nutrition. Everyone's feedback was very positive and they plan to implement changes based on what they learned. #Proud

*What do Alexander The Great and Winnie The Pooh have in common? Same middle name.

*I looked up opaque. The definition wasn't very clear.

*I call my horse Mayo and sometimes Mayo neighs.

*I'm terrified of elevators and I'm taking steps to avoid them.

*Mickey Mouse's wife drives a Minnie van.

We are honored to have Vicente on our team and thankful for his 24 years of service to our country.

Middle Schools were really big dills this week celebrating National Pickle Day!

The menu at the VHS Commons Market is expanding. They now offer burgers, spicy chicken and boneless wings along with Greek and Chicken Caesar Salads and Turkey Wraps. Opening the Market in a student friendly location has increased breakfast and lunch participation while decreasing checkout times in the Hungry Viking.

I recall being a young man and just joining the U.S. Army to get out of a bad time in Miami, FL in 1996. When the recruiter offered me to be a "cook" in the Army, I took it immediately because I wanted no part in joining a gang or dealing drugs, which is what all my friends were doing at the time. I recall most Soldiers demeaning our jobs by calling us "dirty cooks" among other less tasty words when I first joined. Of course, we all took it a bit personally and would always have to defend our profession within our ranks. Nonetheless, I vowed to do better once I became a leader and have my Soldiers take pride in their uniforms and their food, that way other Soldiers would have nothing to say. Through the years I became obsessed with taking pride in everything that I did, not just in being Professional and conducting myself as such but also in helping any young Food Service Soldier to learn what it means to be a professional no matter what your job in the Army was. To me, taking pride in food service means even doing so when preparing a meal at home for my family and taking pride in how I presented it to them just as I would a Senator, General or any other VIP Government official. I love what I do and people in this world, no matter the age deserve great food, so please let us all take pride in what we do.

November 27-29, 2024 Thanksgiving Break, No School (No Work Days)

December 19, 2024 Half Day K-12 (Regular Work Day)

December 20, 2024 No School (No Work unless Weather Make Up Day is called)

December 23, 2024 - January 3, 2025 Winter Break, No School (No Work Days)

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, TJM, 4 hours

FS Tech, TJM, 5 hours

All VCS employees, whether they have Anthem insurance or not, are eligible to use Powers Health Immediate Care for non-life threatening emergencies. The visit is free for employees with Anthem insurance and $93 for employees without Anthem. Considering that the average ER visit in Indiana costs $1,618.00, this may be a good option for you and your family. Read more below and contact Haley Jones, Benefit Assistant at ext. 1136 if you have questions or need more information.

Powers Health Immediate Care Center located at 3800 St. Mary Drive is no longer be an Urgent Care Center and has closed. Patients seeding medical attention for non-life threatening illnesses and injuries may still receive services at Powers Health Immediate Care located at 1451 W. Morthland Drive, Suite D, Valparaiso. This is the ONLY Powers Health location in Valparaiso.

All other services at the Valparaiso Health Center (3800 St. Mary Drive) remain open. Please call 219-286-3700 for updated facility hours. Powers Health is expanding services for patients seeming emergency care. The St. Mary Medical Center Emergency Department will open on December 1, 2024.

Do you need help or a refresher on how to log in to Skyward Employee Access? The file linked below will take you step by step (with pictures) through this easy process. You need to be able to log in to Skyward Employee Access to request time off, print your check or tax forms. When you view your check, you should review the deductions and be sure they are correct based on what you chose during your enrollment appointment with American Fidelity.

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

Resources

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

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

.

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

.