Saint Raphael School

Principal Mark C. Bedrosian, M.Ed.

mbedrosian@straphaelparishschool.org

516 High Street, Medford, MA 02155

781-483-3373

www.straphaelparishschool.org

SCHOOL LUNCH POLICY 2017-2018

St. Raphael School Cafeteria serves tasty, nutritious, and economical meals. A standard lunch costs $3.50, and includes one main entree, one serving of fruit, one serving of vegetable, and a choice of either 1% white milk or fat-free chocolate milk. Sandwiches offered daily include cheese, sunbutter, and sunbutter with grape jelly. On Fridays, Papa Gino’s Pizza is offered with a choice of cheese or pepperoni. Papa Gino’s gluten-free cheese pizza is also available. Pizza orders are placed with homeroom teachers on Thursdays.

The cafeteria follows meal standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. At St. Raphael School, we make every effort to promote healthy meal choices by using more whole grains, and local fruits and vegetables with every lunch. We also work closely with the school nurse to ensure food allergy awareness and safety. We encourage families to use alternatives to peanuts and nut-based products when sending lunches and snacks to school.

Monthly lunch menus are available on both the school website and TeacherEase. Items may be subject to change.

Every student has an individual lunch account that reflects his/her cafeteria purchases. Payment in advance of lunch purchases is preferred. We recommend a minimum balance of $25 to start the school year. Cash or checks made payable to St. Raphael School are acceptable forms of payment. Lunch payments cannot be combined with other school fees. Please send payments in envelopes marked “Cafeteria,” along with your child(ren)’s name(s) and amounts for each child. Families may view their students’ detailed meal accounts at any time using TeacherEase.

When a student’s lunch balance falls below $10.00, an email notification will be sent as a reminder to replenish funds. If a student’s balance falls into negative balance, a second email notification will be sent. In the event that a student’s account is at a negative balance for a prolonged time, notification will be sent stating that he/she will no longer receive a hot lunch. Instead, he/she will receive a cheese sandwich with the standard fruit, vegetables and milk. We ask that you convey this information to the student in an effort to avoid confusion and or concern. No student will be refused a lunch. Should there be a change in a family’s economic situation during the school year, we encourage you to apply for the National Free and Reduced School Lunch Program. All applications are strictly confidential.

Elementary and Middle School families who are enrolled in the National Free and Reduced School Lunch Program pay either $0.00 or a reduced fee of $0.40 per lunch. The program covers the cost of one full lunch per day, plus milk. Please note: this program does not cover the cost of snacks, bottled water, or extras. An extra main dish (such as an extra slice of pizza on Fridays) costs $1.50, and bottled water is available for $0.50. To see if your family is eligible for the National Free and Reduced School Lunch Program, download the application from the school website (under Parent Resources) and send the completed form to the school administrative assistant.

Past Due balances

If a family carries a past due amount after school vacation; Christmas, February, and April; students will not be allowed to participate in any cafeteria services until the balance is paid. Students on Free and Reduced lunch will not be allowed to participate beyond their support entitlement until the balance is paid.

Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Students may bring their own lunch or purchase a hot lunch at school. Parents may not bring food or drinks bought at carryout restaurants for their children. Parents may pay in advance on Wednesday of each week. Minimum advance payment is $15.00. Parents are encouraged to pay by check made payable to St. Raphael School. Parents will have access to their account balance through Teacher Ease. If there is a negative balance exceeding $10.00, students who do not have a lunch will be provided with a basic sandwich and lunch. Outstanding balances remaining from the previous school year disqualify families and their students from purchasing items in the cafeteria.

Free and Reduced Lunch Program

St. Raphael School participates in a free and reduced lunch program. If you believe that you may be eligible, please complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Form at the beginning of the school year. The form is available on our Web site under Parent Resources. If your financial situation changes during the school year, please contact the cafeteria manager or principal and apply to determine if you qualify for free or reduced lunch.