West Ottawa... Food For Thought

Breakfast:

• must include at least 3 of the 4 offered food components
• must include a 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetable

Lunch:

• must include at least 3 of the 5 offered food components
• must include a 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetable

The meal components include fruit, vegetable, grain, meat/meat alternate and milk. We encourage students to take all 5 components for a healthy and balanced meal!

Click this link: https://westottawa.familyportal.cloud/

This year all meals are free to all students. All students enrolled at WOPS schools can receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each day.

However, we still need every household to fill out a meal application because this information is critical in determining the amount of money that our school receives from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs like Title I A, At-risk (31a), Title II A, E-Rate, etc.

These supplemental programs have the potential to offer supports and services for our students including, but not limited to:

• Instructional supports (staff, supplies & materials, etc.)
• Non-instructional services (counseling, social work, health services, etc.)
• Professional Learning for staff
• Parent and Community engagement supplies and activities
• Technology
• Pandemic-EBT

We are asking that you please complete and submit a meal application as soon as possible to ensure that additional funding for our school is available to meet the needs of our students. All information on the application submitted is confidential. Thank you!

Join us on September 20th to try fresh kale! Kale is a super food because it contains a variety of nutrients like vitamin A, B2, B6, C, K, folate, fiber, carotenoids, manganese and even iron!

Join us at all schools to celebrate National Dumpling day! We will be servings dumplings for students to sample with their lunch. Dumplings are dough pockets usually filled with meat and vegetables that is fried or steamed.

We encourage you to try something new!

Sale Prices:

12oz - $1.00

16oz - $1.50

*The Perk is located at the bus entrance of High School South. The Black Hole is located in the cafeteria of High School North.

When consumed in moderation & without added sugars, coffee can have several healthy benefits including:

• Vitamin B2: Helps with cell growth, energy production, and helps breakdown fats & steroids
• Magnesium: Helps build bones, muscles, nerve function, & regulates blood pressure.
• Plant chemicals
• Caffeine: Usually is beneficial for your heart, blood flow, & metabolism if consumed in moderation. * It can affect everyone differently
  

(Source: https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/coffee/)

Visit our menu at https://www.westottawa.net/wops-food-service/

Under the "MENUS AND PRICES" section

If your student has a food allergy that you would like to make us aware of but does not need to be provided with special meals, please contact Elizabeth Herweyer at herweyere@westottawa.net.

If your student has a special dietary need that requires meal accommodations, the first step is to have the Michigan Department of Education’s special meal request form completed and signed by your students doctor.

Special Meal Request Form

Once the above form is filled out, please email it to Elizabeth Herweyer at herweyere@westottawa.net.

• Refuels your bodies energy stores
• Helps you wake up
• Prevents overeating later
• Makes you happier
• Helps you focus

Healthy Tip: Choose a savory breakfast over a sugary breakfast!

It is even better if your savory breakfast includes PROTEIN because protein will help keep your blood sugar levels stable (so you will feel good) and keep you fuller longer.

Email general questions to heemstrar@westottawa.net

Website: https://www.westottawa.net/wops-food-service/

1. You can add funds into your students account through our new food service Meal Magic Family Portal https://westottawa.familyportal.cloud/
2. Your student can bring cash OR a check to the register in the cafeteria and a food service staff member can deposit it on to your students account.

Our Assistant Director, Noelle, has a culinary degree and can help you with all your catering needs! Email Noelle at whitlatchn@westottawa.net or call her office at 616-786-2109.