THE HCS CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2024

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Hello all.

We hope all of you had a wonderful Fall break. This month, as Fall approaches and the weather begins to change, we celebrate National School Lunch Week, which focuses on the importance of children receiving nutritious and healthy lunches. Lunch allows students to break away from classroom activities and socialize with others briefly. In addition, lunch must be nutritious, healthy, provide needed fuel for young people so they may enjoy the day with the energy they need to flourish in the classroom and run, play, and be very active. Lunch also allows students to move around and visit the lunchroom, where classmates can convene and have fun conversations. Highlighting the importance of this meal is part of the daily tasks of all Child Nutrition Program staff.

For those trick-or-treating on Halloween, please be very safe, walk in groups, and do not overeat candy. Also, find a fantastic costume and have lots of fun!

-H. Ward

Inspirational Quote of the Month

"Start your day in an upward direction, and the rest of the day will follow the uphill path."

— Vernon Howard

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Come join the Team!

Positions available:

CNP Worker
CNP Substitute Worker

To apply for a position with Huntsville City Schools, you must complete an online application with the Alabama State Department of Education. Just Click the Link below to start the process

Job openings (hiretrue-prod.com)

National School Lunch Week (NSLW) 2024 is October 14th through October 18th

New Lunch room Furniture at James Williams Elementary/Middle

The school lunchroom at James Williams received a fresh look with adding paint, graphics, and modern furniture. Students will have a terrific opportunity to eat school meals in a great facility with bright colors and warm and inviting atmosphere.

School Site Cafeteria Health Inspection Ratings from ADPH

The Child Nutrition Program Staff at Columbia High School lead by CNP Supervisor Maggie Daniel, achived a 100 Health Inspection rating from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) on October 21, 2024.

10 trick-or-treat safety tips

10 safety tips for trick-or-treating to make sure your kids have a fun and memorable

Halloween night.

The spookiest day of the year is quickly sneaking up on us. You're probably already on your way to being knee deep in pumpkins, costumes, candy and creating great Halloween memories for your child.

While Halloween is a highly anticipated occasion, the Children's Health℠ Injury Prevention team reminds parents that safety should be top of mind. Children are more at risk for injuries while out walking on Halloween night than on any other day of the year.

Trick-or-treat safety tips

Here are 10 frighteningly easy tips to help make sure your child has a safe, fun Halloween.

1. Enhance visibility. Choose costumes that are visible at night so drivers can see them in the dark. Having kids carry a

flashlight or wear glow-in-the-dark bracelets, or other reflective gear, is also a smart way to make sure your child is easy to

see.

2. Clear eyes. Not only should your child be visible, but they should also be able to see everything around them. Make sure the

eye holes in their masks are wide enough. Or, better yet, paint their face using kid-friendly, glow-in-the-dark face paint.

3. Inspect costumes. Keep costumes short and snug. Baggy sleeves and long capes and skirts can cause kids to trip and can

catch fire if they brush up against a jack-o-lantern.

4. Make sure shoes fit. Big floppy shoes that are hard to walk in may cause kids to fall.

5. Check props. Make sure props are flexible. Costume props can hurt kids badly if they fall. Props should be made of plastic

or rubber.

6. Stay together. Don't allow kids under 13 to walk alone. Make sure to trick-or-treat in groups with adequate adult-to-child

ratio. And, have kids older than 13 go with buddies.

7. Look twice. Teach your kids to look left, right and left again before crossing at street corners. Don't let your kids cross

between parked cars. Encourage kids to use the sidewalk when possible. Drivers should also look twice, slow down, and be

extra cautious on Halloween night.

8. Inspect candy. Have children avoid eating candy until you've had the chance to inspect it first.

9. Never enter homes. Teach kids that they should never enter a stranger's home while they are out trick-or-treating. The rules

of "stranger danger" apply just as much Halloween night as they do every day.

10. Be cautious with food allergies. If your child has a food allergy and is planning on going trick-or-treating, be cautious.

Although some homes now offer candy alternatives, you should still carry your child's auto-injectable epinephrine in case an

accident happens.

10 trick-or-treat safety tips - Children's Health (childrens.com)

DID YOU KNOW?

Food allergies lead to anxiety in patients, caregivers

A study in the journal Allergy found about 68% of adults with food allergies and 78% of caregivers of children with food allergies had experienced psychological distress, primarily due to fears of anaphylaxis. Only 20% of respondents had been screened for anxiety and about 35% of caregivers worried the condition could lead to their child being bullied.

Full Story: HealthDay News (10/4)

Teal pumpkins signal allergen-free Halloween treats

The Teal Pumpkin Project supports children with food allergies by promoting the distribution of nonfood treats during Halloween. Families can display teal pumpkins to show they offer safe options, with allergist Dr. Douglas Jones suggesting caregiver strategies for a safe Halloween, including setting clear boundaries, having an emergency plan, knowing allergic reaction signs and educating children about their allergies.

Full Story: Healio (free registration) (10/3)

Daily lentils lower cholesterol naturally

A recent study found that eating a cup of lentils daily can reduce total and LDL cholesterol without causing significant digestive issues. Lentils, rich in protein, fiber and antioxidants, are a low-cost, nutritious way to improve heart health and combat inflammation.

Full Story: USA Today (10/9)

CNP Terminology

School Food Authority (SFA)

School food authority means, as defined in National School Lunch Program regulations at 7 CFR 210.2: The governing body which is responsible for the administration of one or more schools; and has the legal authority to operate child nutrition programs therein or be otherwise approved by USDA to operate the Program. School means: (a) An educational unit of high school grade or under, recognized as part of the educational system in the State and operating under public or nonprofit private ownership in a single building or complex of buildings; (b) any public or nonprofit private classes of preprimary grade when they are conducted in the aforementioned schools; or (c) any public or nonprofit private residential child care institution, or distinct part of such institution, which operates principally for the care of children, and, if private, is licensed to provide residential child care services under the appropriate licensing code by the State or a subordinate level of government, except for residential summer camps which participate in the Summer Food Service Program for Children, Job Corps centers funded by the Department of Labor, and private homes.

CNP EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Ms. Maria Boyzo, Child Nutrition Program Worker at Huntsville High School

Ms. Maria Boyzo has been employed with Huntsville City Schools for over six years. Originally from Mexico, she has two daughters named Lloana Garcia and Jocelyn Garcia. Maria describes herself as a hardworking, understanding, and kind person. In addition to living in Huntsville, Alabama, she has also resided in Tennessee and California.

Before working in the Child Nutrition Program, Maria was employed in the restaurant industry. She states that what she enjoys most about her job is working with children. Maria also mentions that her secret talent is cooking. When she is not working, she likes to spend time with her family and travel to Mexico, which is her favorite place to visit.

Maria is a pet owner with three dogs and two cats. Her favorite cuisine is Asian food, and she enjoys listening to salsa and cumbia music. She expressed that if she weren’t working in the Child Nutrition Program, she would focus on obtaining her cosmetology license. Her hobbies include swimming and exercising at the gym. Maria's favorite sport is college football, and she cheers for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Maria hopes to travel the world one day, and she is open to whatever life brings her in the next five years. Her words to live by are: "Life is short, so live it up!"

Employees of the Month

Dana Heldreth, CNP worker at Chaffee Elementary

"Ms. Heldreth is such an asset to Chaffee Elementary. She has a happy and positive disposition that is contagious. She makes sure our students are taken care of at lunch, especially our students who have dietary restrictions. Ms. Heldreth is creative and friendly and loves what she does! We are so grateful to have her at Chaffee"!

-April Clark, Principal at Roger B.

Chaffe Elementary

Sheila Shockley, CNP Supervisor at Virgil Grissom High School

"Sheila Shockley is a tremendous asset to the Grissom family, and brings both care and expertise to our Cafeteria each day as her team serves over 970 meals per day to our students. No challenge is too big, and her positive attitude makes her an ideal manager in a position with many moving parts. Both breakfast and lunch are provided to our students every day with professionalism and kindness. Our students are in great hands thanks to employees like Sheila Shockley".

-David Coker, Principal at Grissom High School