I've spent my entire career planning and working ahead. As retirement nears, it's been a little tough to switch gears and focus on the present. Intentionally experiencing every day has been a good lesson for me. I try to enjoy the moment and not worry about what I have to do next (it's not always easy). I know you must feel this, too, sometimes. During meal service, you may be worried about getting another batch cooked or if you forecasted enough, whether the register will balance or wondering if the dishroom is piling up. Instead, try to focus your attention on the faces you are serving. Make eye contact, smile and say hello. Focus on the present by noticing your surroundings. Be fully present with a positive attitude and appreciate the small things in life. If you can find something to be grateful for every day, life won’t feel as heavy. You’ll start noticing all the good things happening on a regular basis. I am definitely thankful for all of you and the hard work you perform without complaint. You make a difference every single day. You are, and have always been, my heroes. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

With gratitude,

Kathy

Ashley and Vicente "hard at work" planning the Thanksgiving Feast.

When creating our brand new School Nutrition employee onboarding training, I asked Dr. McCall to add a few thoughts and boy, did he! It's always so nice to feel valued. P.S. He loves our food.

A Flint Lake First Grader presented Cafe Manager Olga Bonvissuto with her interpretation of "kindness" featuring lunch and the school nutrition team. What a nice compliment! Thanks Olga, Sharon and Eve for making this little girl feel loved.

Last week we featured a student's appreciation of Sharon Hall. When VHS students found out Mrs. Hall was transferring to the TJM Cafe, they showed up and her fan club is multiplying! Today a senior brought her flowers! She calls each student her "favorite" and has a genuine and caring connection with those she serves.

Sweet Potato Awareness Month is observed in November as the holidays go into full swing. Peeling sweet potatoes is a struggle, but not in this recipe developed for schools! The concept works at home, too. Wash and bake sweet potatoes in the oven, skin on. After cooking, cut sweet potatoes in half, scoop out the contents and discard the skin. Add ingredients to the filling, mash and enjoy.

1. Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins C and A. Both nutrients are important for immune system support, and maintaining healthy skin, vision, and organs.
2. They are FULL of antioxidants, and other nutrients.
3. Sweet potatoes are anti-inflammatory, which lowers the risk of nearly every chronic disease. These include obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
4. They help support weight loss, BIG TIME. Try replacing regular mashed potatoes, pasta and other processed carbohydrates with sweet potatoes. They are very filling and can be prepared in many different ways.

Have you every wondered how many servings you will get from a pound of raw produce? The food buying guide (FBG) was developed by USDA to serve as a quick reference tool. For example, if you want to prepare 12 servings of mashed sweet potatoes, the FBG indicates each pound of raw sweet potatoes will yield 5.5 servings (1/4 cup). If your serving size is 1/2 cup, the yield will be half of that or 2.75 servings per pound. How many pounds of potatoes do you buy to get 12 (1/2 cup) servings of mashed sweet potatoes? Easy math: 12/2.75 = 4.3 lbs. Check out this great resource! The FBG is also available as a free mobile app.

When I recently walked by Patty Jordan's prep table, I noticed her leftovers and realized just how accurate she is at the guessing game we call forecasting. Out of 1,400 entrees, she had only 31 leftover. This means her waste was only 2%. Did I mention that she has to split her forecast between seven individual entrees? While we all know Patty is a genius (ok, well, mad scientist?), her work would not be as accurate without the help of her team's precise counting, weighing and recording which keeps the data true and reliable. Well done!

Quinoa's popularity has grown over the years as more people search for nutritious whole grains to add to their diets. Many call quinoa (pronounced "keen - wa") the optimal "super grain" because it's loaded with protein, fiber, antioxidants and numerous other nutrients. Of course, its easy preparation and fluffy texture make it ideal for just about any mealtime. If you're wondering what health benefits you can reap from eating quinoa, keep reading: https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8068328/is-quinoa-good-for-you/

*My new stair lift is just driving me up the wall.

*I never finish anything. I have a black belt in partial arts.

*I don't always go the extra mile, but when I do, it's because I missed my exit.

*A friend of mine is always going on about photography jokes. You just can't shutter up.

*I've never watched the movie Hunt For Red October because I don't like movies with sub titles.

Jill McIntire is the new Cafe Manager at TJM. While she has big shoes to fill following Nancy Moore, Jill brings her own unique skill set to the position. She's worked as Lead Line Cook, Pastry Chef, Restaurant Manager and most recently Dietary Manager in healthcare. Nancy is working with Jill teaching her the ropes. TJM has an opening for a production lead and tech, which means she will have a whole new team to train and work with. Thanks for hitting the ground running, Jill! 🏃🏻‍♀️

Impressive work serving up a full blown feast! Thank you for welcoming and working with your celebrity servers. Students will remember this day for years to come.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving, all I can think about this time of year is how thankful I am for everyday life, but of course I also have to put other things into perspective. I am certain most people know what it takes to prepare turkey, ham, potato, veggies and desert to feed your entire family, no matter how large or small your family may be. What most may not even stop to consider is how many families will not be able afford a meal or how many Troops are deployed on a daily basis and will be away from their loved ones. So, while most of us are enjoying the holiday with our friends and families, please stop and think about those who may not be with their families as well as those who are not able to afford a meal and will have to rely on other great individuals who will be volunteering to help clothe and feed those in need. Never underestimate the power of being kind and thankful this time of year.

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

Production Lead, TJM, 6.5 hours**NEW**

FS Tech, VHS, 6 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

.