Each year around this time, Patty Jordan's humerus family skeletons show up. They're not great at handling job stress...they get too rattled. You would think nothing could get under their skin, but apparently they just don't have the stomach for food service. They acted like boneheads telling High Skull students "Bone-appetit" during lunch. Honestly, this family doesn't have a hip bone in their bodies. The skeletons were helpful, though, by reminding us of the importance of calcium. The bones we build in childhood have to carry us through the rest of our lives. Calcium for an adult helps keep the bones you built strong and can prevent bone loss. If you're not a milk drinker, there are plenty of other calcium sources for you to incorporate in your diet. Create a stronger future for your bones.

With gratitude,

Kathy

Huge shoutout to Shannon Butler for designing a fall wonderland in the Hungry Viking! Briana Mitseff painted the pumpkins and Patty Jordan supplied the skeletal remains of her ancestors. So. Much. Talent.

Eating a healthy lunch on Halloween will help keep excited students fueled for trick or treating. Special thanks to Olga Bonvissuto, Flint Lake Cafe Manager, for coming up with this fun and *genius* idea!

Ashley worked with fellow food service directors in Northwest Indiana to source the best turkey roast for a special Thanksgiving lunch. This raw, all white turkey breast is the one! Ashley roasted it to perfection and will schedule a meeting/workshop (Turkey Camp?) with managers to train them. The roasts will be cooked and chilled at VHS and then delivered to the schools to reheat and slice. In fact, we're hoping principals will slice the turkey as students are served!

This week, as part of their Thank a Farmer Thursday program, Central students enjoyed "crunching" on different varieties of local apples from Garwood Orchards. You're doing an amazing job with nutrition education, Rachel Pitt!

National Milk Carton Shortage

IDOE is aware of the nation-wide milk carton shortage. Communicate with parents and students that milk choices may vary depending on availability. Keep in mind that serving flavored milk is not a requirement. The meal pattern requirement for milk is to offer two different choices of milk from the following options: 1% flavored, 1% unflavored (white), fat-free flavored, and fat-free unflavored. Flavored milk is not required to be served when 1% unflavored and fat-free unflavored (white) milk choices are offered. However, if any type of flavored milk is offered, at least one type of white milk must be offered.

If you cannot meet these requirements due to product shortages or have additional questions, please contact the Indiana Department of Education.

This upcoming holiday season, we will once again be sponsoring a Valpo Family in the Angel Tree program and will be assigned 2-3 children to purchase gifts for. This was a huge success last year and I hope that you all consider taking an ornament from our office "tree" once we begin the program. More information to come!

Just a little reminder when filling out your transfer forms. It is very important that you are putting the item number and the quantity of items being transferred. It saves a lot of time if I don't have to stop and call or return the forms to you for clarification. I hope by now the inventory sheets are easier to read and are cleaned up some. If you have any questions, deletions or additions, please let me know and I will make the corrections asap. Thank you for your patients during this learning process.

It's time for Open Enrollment! You received an email from Nicole Biehn with a link to schedule your appointment with American Fidelity. Every permanent employee who works 20 hours or more per week MUST attend. Here are some frequently asked questions:

What is Open Enrollment (OE)?

• OE is the only time, during the year, you are allowed to make benefit elections for the upcoming plan year without a qualifying event (marriage, death, divorce, the birth of a child, or loss of other coverage.)

Who has to schedule and attend an open enrollment meeting?

• 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.

If I don't qualify for health/vision or dental insurance, do I need to attend Open Enrollment?

• YES, if you work at least 20 hours per week, you must attend open enrollment.

Who does NOT need to schedule or attend a meeting?

• Any staff member who works less than 20 hours a week
• Retirees
• Substitutes

If I was recently hired within the last few months and enrolled in coverage at that time, do I need to attend Open Enrollment?

• YES, you still need to attend open enrollment regardless of your hire date.

What do I need to bring to the meeting?

• Birth date of spouse and/or dependents.
• Social Security Number for spouse and/or dependents (birth certificates are NOT needed)

How do I attend a meeting, and where is it held?

• You will schedule an appointment online with the link provided above.
• Representatives will be in your building at the appointment time you select.

For most people, insurance can be hard to understand and seem overly complicated. VHS teacher Ben Kerezman recorded this brief explanation of the VCS self funded insurance plan.

https://watch.screencastify.com/v/jqi87EQ6aDSype8Z8UyI

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

Here’s how to access your EAP:

• EAP Brochure

• Access Code: valpo

Resources

• Grief Handout
• Stress Response Guide
• Collective Trauma & 10 Tips for Coping

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, Heavilin, 4 hours

FS Tech, BF Middle, 4.5 hours

FS Tech, Central, 4 hours

FS Tech, VHS, 4 hours

November 7, 2023 eLearning Day (Regular Work Day)

November 22-24, 2023 Thanksgiving Holiday (No Work)

December 21, 2023 Half Day K-12 (Regular Work Day)

December 22 - January 5, 2024 Holiday Break (No Work Days)

January 8, 2024 Classes resume (Regular Work Day)

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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