One of my favorite things to do in the fall is taking the scenic route home from work and enjoying the vibrant colors. Nature is such a gifted artist, including naturally colorful fruit and vegetables. I can't help but notice when there is a colorful variety to choose from, students select more servings of produce. The high school has been serving kiwi, cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes, apples and more. I love seeing their trays full of healthy choices. In fact, color plays a significant role in how people choose food. Research discovered that there's actually science behind the way your body reacts to colors. For food, these colors are the best for stimulating appetite.

• Red: Associated with excitement, passion and increased metabolism
• Orange: Associated with informality, warmth and friendship
• Yellow: Associated with happiness and energy
• Green: Associated with freshness and abundance

Our menus have to be colorful and visually appealing to students. Remember, it's only "nutrition" if they eat it.

With gratitude,

Kathy

The Power Up Pals were created just for us by a New Orleans graphic artist. These characters are part of our nutrition education plan. Students district wide entered a contest to name them. Each pal represents one of the food groups we use as meal components. The backstory on the Power Up Pals is that they tumbled down to Earth because they ran out of fuel. They crashed through the roof of a school and landed in the kitchen. Each pal found the food source to power them back up. Bring the Power Up Pals into your promotions. Jackie at Heavilin found a way to make her pumpkins into Power Up Pals! This year we are working on serving area designs for Cooks and Flint Lake.

Water Availability

USDA Policy Memo SP 49-2016 states that potable water must be available to students during the meal periods (breakfast and lunch). The water must be free of charge and students must be allowed to access water or have an adult provide them with water. The use of a water fountain is acceptable as long as the fountain is within the meal service/cafeteria area and students can access it. Please notify all adults in the meal service area providing oversight of students of this USDA program requirement.

September's MPLH shows an overall continuing increase in lunch participation. The grace period for free/reduced students ended and many families lost access to Covid era Medicaid. These factors may be influencing participation at schools with higher free/reduced percentages. Looking forward to seeing how new menu items will improve participation next month. You're doing great work!

*I pulled a muscle digging for gold. It's just a miner injury.

*Mountains aren't just funny. They're hill areas.

*Some people should use a glue stick instead of chapstick.

*If a bear wears socks and shoes, he still has bear feet.

*I'm getting stronger with age. I can now lift $100 worth of groceries with one hand.

Both middle schools, Cooks, Flint and Heavilin celebrated National Nacho Day with a spicy menu introducing jalapeno slices. 🔥🔥🔥

My name is Vicente Benites from Miami, FL. I joined the United States Army in April of 1996 and had over 24 years of leadership experience upon my retirement in December of 2020 with a Top Secret Clearance. I have managed hundreds of Soldiers and Civilians as a Dining Facility Manager here in the United States as well as setting up and managing Field Kitchen Operations during multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa.

I have been honored to serve high ranking Government Personnel (VIP’s) such as President Obama, the Secretary Of Defense and Joint Chiefs Of Staff, among quite a few Generals as an Enlisted Aide (Private Executive Chef) for General Officers. I work well under pressure and have passion for the food service industry, which is why I am choosing to continue serving in the K12 sector after a great Military Career.

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**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

.

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

.