It's good to be back. Thanks to those who reached out or checked in while I was recuperating. Your kindness triggered much happiness which, I'm convinced, helped speed up healing. It reminded me of how important being kind is. Wednesday, November 13th is World Kindness Day and deserves to be celebrated, even in small ways like sharing a smile. We may never fully realize the impact we have on students. When social media became a thing, I was surprised to get friend requests from former students decades after they graduated. It felt good to be remembered. One of these students told me he hasn't had a decent meal since he graduated and really missed our food. 😄I am so proud of the imaginative ways you celebrated The Great Apple Crunch, National School Lunch Week and Halloween. I even bragged about you to my physical therapist and showed her pictures.📷 The encounters you have with students become memories, keep being kind and keep having fun!

With gratitude,

Kathy

This week wraps up Farm to School Month with our celebration of Indiana Food Day on Halloween! The pumpkin has been selected as the Indiana Food of the Year. Although Indiana is the third largest pumpkin producer in the nation, Morton, Illinois is considered the “Pumpkin Capital of the World.” Morton is home to Libby’s, the producer of 85% of the world’s canned pumpkin! Local pumpkins from Region Roots are decorating cafeterias and pumpkin mousse was served to K-8 students as part of the Boo-B-Que special menu.

Ingredients:

3 cups low fat milk

2 boxes instant vanilla pudding, 5 oz.

1 can pumpkin, 15 oz.

3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 1/3 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

Pour milk in large bowl. Whisk in vanilla pudding mix. Mix until slightly thickened.

Add canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice to bowl and whisk until thoroughly blended.

Whisk in whipped topping.

Portion about 1 Tablespoon of graham cracker crumbs into souffle cup. Scoop mousse over the crumbs and finish with a dab of whipped topping. Chill before serving.

***Be creative*** Garnish the top with candy corn, cinnamon, a toasted pecan, chocolate chips, holiday sprinkles, etc.

The TJE School Nutrition Team adopted a Holstein calf! Manager Laurie Boynak will display updates on Lucy as she grows and use this opportunity to connect and teach students about their food supply. This is one of the greatest examples of nutrition education that I have ever seen. The kids are so excited to learn!

Need more efficient storage space? Wish you had more utensils within easy reach? Look around and look up. Kat Jones took a good hard look at her small kitchen footprint and decided she needed more vertical storage. Over the summer, the spray sink counter was cut and shortened making way for a rolling dish rack and she had a shelf installed over her wash sinks. Brilliant, instant space! Don't be afraid to think outside the box and let us know what you really wish you had to improve the efficiency of your kitchen.

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for certain family and medical reasons while ensuring job protection. Read the information below to find out if you are eligible and when you can use this type of leave.

The September MPLH report is promising, with every school experiencing a participation jump in Breakfast, Lunch or both! This report measures the staffing efficiency of each school based on the number of Meal Equivalents (ME) served. The numbers circled in red indicate an increase in participation over the prior month. Good work!

*If you are having second thoughts, you're two ahead of most people.

*Mind-controlled air freshener makes scents if you think about it.

*A bike in town keeps running me over. It's a vicious cycle.

*Poison ivy crossed with a four leaf clover will get you a rash of bad luck.

*That man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered.

Deep thoughts compliments of yesterday morning's sunrise.

Valparaiso Community School has partnered with American Fidelity for benefits enrollment. Depending on your eligibility, you can enroll in your major medical and vision insurance, dental, Section 125 benefits, and supplemental benefits all at the same time. Whether you are planning to maintain your current coverage choices, considering new choices, or waiving coverage, it's essential you schedule an appointment to ensure your information is accurate.

Valparaiso Community Schools' enrollment period begins November 4, 2024, for plan year 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025. Schedule your appointment today!

Any employee who works 20 hours a week or more will need to attend an open enrollment meeting. It is a REQUIRED meeting for employees who work 20 hours a week or more.

Click HERE to schedule!

VHS is upping their game and expanding selections at the Market in the Commons to include hot sandwiches. This area has been growing steadily and easing congestion in the Hungry Viking. Ashley added homestyle comfort items to the menu in October and Vicente took over the Build station with a Cowboy themed menu.

November 3, 2024 Daylight Savings Ends - Fall back one hour!

November 5, 2024 eLearning Day (Regular Work Day)

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)

Congratulations to Gail Orozco for winning the position of Production Lead at TJM! We 💓 seeing our employees advance their career! We're also very excited to welcome Julia Bakko as a new substitute. She brings a wealth of experience to our team.

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**NEW**

FS Tech, TJM, 5 hours**NEW**

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

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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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