Showing posts with label lunch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lunch. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Franklin Downtown Partnership forms Networking Committee, Schedules Luncheon

Dave Drucker of Dean College and Gary Donelan of Middlesex Savings Bank will be co-chairing the Downtown Partnership’s Networking Committee. The charge of this committee will revolve around networking opportunities along with speakers and presentations at Franklin Downtown Partnership meetings. 
networking name tag
networking name tag
Based upon feedback at previous meetings and the results of our recent survey, you have indicated that this would be beneficial for our members. We also know that there is wealth of knowledge and expertise among our members. 
We invite you to share your ideas on topics of interest and whether you would like to present on a specific area in an upcoming meeting. Speakers and topics will be selected with special emphasis given to member suggestions as our goal is to provide insight and tools to help your respective businesses grow. 
In addition, our next Networking Luncheon will be Friday, August 14th at 1:00 at Dean College's Smith Dining Center. This is a terrific opportunity to articulate the benefits of your business and engage in a lively dialogue with area business representatives. 
New committee members and ideas are always welcome, so if you are interested please feel free to contact either Dave, ddrucker@dean.edu, or Gary, GARY.DONELAN@middlesexbank.com.

The Committee looks forward to hearing from you in the near future regarding presentation topics and ideas.

This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page: http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2015/05/networking-committee-created-luncheon.html#sthash.48IwFPqw.dpuf


Individuals can become members of the Downtown Partnership for only $25.
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2015/04/why-be-member-few-reasons.html

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Preparing for school lunches - lunch lady heroes and more

It is time to get back to school so that means it is back to either making lunches or getting lunch in the cafeteria. In this TED Talk, Jarrett Krosoczka talks about his lunch lady and lunch lady heroes!





You can find more about Jarrett with his TED bio page  http://www.ted.com/speakers/jarrett_j_krosoczka

or on his own website   http://www.studiojjk.com/



And while we are on the topic of school lunches, Lisa Leake has some good ideas and recipes to help create healthy lunches.

Lisa Leake's 100 Days of Real Food website
Lisa Leake's 100 Days of Real Food website

Follow this link to read her post on tips to making school lunches:
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/08/14/real-food-tips-10-recipes-to-freeze-for-school-lunches-which-makes-packing-a-breeze/

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

School lunch prices increase 10 cents

The School Committee meeting was a brief less than 30 minute session. Several policies were approved for changes and several others were removed as no longer needed (superseded by a more current version).

Lunch prices were approved to increase by 10 cents. The proposal read as follows:
As you may recall, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 contains a provision that , effective July 1, 2011, required School Districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program to ensure that schools are providing the same level of support for lunches served to students who are not eligible for free or reduced price lunches (i.e., paid lunches) as they are for lunches served to students eligible for free lunches. 
As a result, School Districts must compare the average price charged for lunches served to students not eligible for free or reduced price lunches to the difference between the higher Federal reimbursement provided for free lunches and the lower Federal reimbursement provided for paid lunches. 
After completing this comparison, the increase required in our lunch pricing amounts to $.10 cents.



The lunch prices for the 2014-2015 school year will be as follows:
Elementary =  $2.30
Middle School = $2.75
High School = $3.00
Premium meal (grades 6-12) = additional 50 cents
Breakfast = $1.80
Adult meal = $3.85
Reduced price lunch = $.40
Milk = $.50


The creation of a revolving fund to manage the money and expenses for the repairs of the high school chromebooks was approved.



The notes I took during the meeting can be found here:

entrance to the new Franklin High School
entrance to the new Franklin High School

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 28

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 14, 2013 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:

2. Guests/Presentations
a. District Improvement Plan
(details of the proposed plan are contained in the following Google docs)
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczTElwY2dqUkRQQnc/edit
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczTmF6cjJKR1VHSkU/edit

b. Jefferson Elementary School Update – Linda Ashley
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczNHlmYlNlWXJ4VGs/edit

3. Discussion Only Items
Increase in School Lunch Prices – Miriam Goodman
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczOGlEUXBDVEd5VjA/edit

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the FPS District Improvement Plan for the 2013-2014 school year
b. I recommend approval of an increase to school lunch prices to: Elementary $2.20, Middle School $2.65 and High School $2.90 as discussed.
c. I recommend acceptance of the donation of cameras and other supplies (Valued at $1702.84) for RMS TV Studio from Franklin TV.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $282.66 from Wells Fargo Community Support for Douglas Lee for the FHS.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $75.00 from Roger and Roberta Trahan for a FHS Scholarship.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Denise Miller for a FHS Scholarship.
g. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 5 laptops, MS Office licenses and 5 carts (valued at $3,719.85) from the JF Kennedy PCC for Kennedy students.
h. I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from the Norfolk DA for an Operation Graduation Grant for FHS.
j. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 8 standing desks (cost: $1819.30) for grades 3 and 5 at Oak Street Elementary School from the PCC.
k. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 15 fans (cost: $1602.90) for Oak Street’s second floor from the PCC.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check for $355.72 from O’Connor Portraiture, Inc. for Davis Thayer Elementary School.
m. I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from Jayne Sabolinski for a FHS scholarship.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Monday, August 22, 2011

"fewer soggy chicken nuggets"

While farmers' markets are expanding, the use of fresh and local foods is increasing in the school lunch programs:
Franklin decided to revamp its food program by bringing in help. 
In June, the school system awarded its dining contract to Whitsons Culinary Group, a company that works with public and private schools to improve menus and promote healthy eating. 
School Committee member Bill Glynn, who led a nutrition subcommittee while the school was evaluating potential candidates, said at a June meeting that the change was to address the state's ever-evolving nutrition standards, according to school committee minutes. 
Kevin Silivia, an area training manager for Whitsons, said the company is training cafeteria employees to cook a variety of foods using fresh ingredients. 
"I think we are on the cutting edge, starting to develop programs that make food nutritious and fun for kids," Silivia said. "We develop our concepts around that ideal."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1837753803/Area-schools-go-local-to-get-healthy-produce#ixzz1VkWRf0vO


Related Post:
Farmers' markets are expanding
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/people-want-convenience.html

Thursday, July 14, 2011

"food service programs' nutrition standards are 'uneven' "

Ryan's remarks came after the Massachusetts Public Health Council yesterday adopted new school nutrition regulations giving students healthier eating options. 
The new guidelines, which take effect in the 2012-13 school year, will require schools to make fresh produce, healthy beverages, and low-fat dairy and whole grain offerings available wherever food is sold. The rules also get rid of products loaded with sugars and trans fat, including sugar-sweetened beverages like soda. 
The regulations apply to food in vending machines, at snack booths or at school-sponsored events. They won't affect schools' meal programs, nor do they apply to foods sold more than a half-hour before or after the school day.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1850043855/State-passes-stricter-school-lunch-rules#ixzz1S4ShI5MY

Note: Franklin just went with an outside firm to provide the food service partly for this reason.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/06/theres-lot-of-efficiencies-here.html


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Why We Shouldn't Cut Food Stamps to Pay for School Lunch

The food stamp program is officially called SNAP—the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In March 2009 the average monthly SNAP benefit per recipient was $115. After the stimulus money began to flow in April 2009, it rose to between $133 and $134 (PDF). This may sound paltry, but for households on the poverty line, it's vital. A food secure household spends $200 a month on food for each household member. A food insecure household spends on average $55 less than that per person per month. In helping to bridge that gap, the food stamp boost made an immense difference. And it was an example of stimulus funding that was universally acclaimed—it led directly to higher productivity, jobs, and community multiplier effects. (Every dollar spent on food stamps leads to $1.73 in economic growth, compared to, say, $0.32 for making the Bush-era income tax cuts permanent.) 
Today, the poorest Americans are being threatened with a one-two punch. First, congress has failed to extend unemployment benefits for the 99ers—those who have run out of the 99 weeks of unemployment benefits, meaning that there are going to be many more families depending on food stamps in the future. Yet it is precisely these entitlements that the Senate has put on the block. Although many groups and large parts of the food industry think it's worth pushing for the Child Nutrition Bill this way, a few groups, such as the Food Research and Action Center, think it's short-sighted to let congress get away with robbing families' entitlements to feed their children. FRAC is right. 



Read the full posting on the website of The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2010/11/why-we-shouldnt-cut-food-stamps-to-pay-for-school-lunch/66913/

The Franklin Food Pantry website is http://franklinfoodpantry.org/

Franklin, MA

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Safe Schools Package = unfunded mandates


Senator Spilka Votes in Favor of Safe Schools Package

BOSTON - 03/11/10 - Senator Spilka voted on Thursday to advance a pair of bills aimed at promoting a safe, healthy and productive learning environment for all students through banning bullying and updating nutritional standards in schools.

Senate anti-bullying legislation prohibits physical, verbal and written acts that threaten or cause harm to another student, including Internet "cyber-bullying," while a separate school nutrition bill establishes new standards for fresh food options in school cafeterias and vending machines.

"Both of these bills will help create a secure, healthy and beneficial school environment," stated Senator Karen Spilka.  "Kids need to know that the adults in their lives will back them up when they participate in positive behaviors, like healthy eating, and won't tolerate deplorable behaviors, like bullying.  These bills go a long way towards setting new and important standards for a productive learning setting.

"These two bills working together will make a dramatic difference in our school environment," Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. "We all know there's a strong connection between health and safety and learning. By striking out fear and improving nutrition, we're going to provide students with a more valuable and rewarding educational experience."

The anti-bullying bill requires all school districts, charter schools and non-public schools to develop prevention and intervention plans by December 31, 2010 that include procedures for investigating bullying incidents, notifying parents and determining appropriate disciplinary actions.

"The anti-bullying legislation passed today provides a framework for schools to adequately address the damaging impacts of bullying in all its forms," said Senator Robert O'Leary (D-Barnstable), Senate chairman of the Joint Committee on Education. "Equipping teachers, students and parents with more information and education on bullying and outlined steps on how to handle it provides a community solution to a community problem."

Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) said: "This is comprehensive, prevention-oriented legislation that will work to end the persistent cycle of bullying we've seen in the Commonwealth's schools for years,
leading to tragedies like those in South Hadley, Springfield and too many other communities. Every student deserves to feel safe in their own schools, and this bill is a strong step in that direction."

The bill requires school principals to notify local law enforcement of bullying incidents if there is reason to believe criminal charges may be pursued. It also allows Individualized Education Programs for children with special needs to include provisions that will help them handle and respond to incidents of bullying. The bullying ban extends to all school facilities, school-sponsored functions, school buses and bus stops.

The Senate also passed a bill establishing new nutritional standards in schools to address the problem of childhood obesity in the Commonwealth. Food and beverages in school cafeterias, vending machines and other locations in public schools separate from federal meal programs must be
in compliance.

"The fact that the current generation of children may have a shorter life expectancy than their parents is simply unacceptable," said Senator Susan Fargo (D-Lincoln), lead sponsor of the bill. "Families demand and deserve that their children be offered food that is healthy, wholesome and safe. The School Nutrition Bill makes certain that parents have the final word on what children eat at school and makes it a requirement that schools maintain healthy standards in the cafeterias."

The standards, to be implemented by the 2012-13 school year, will be developed by the Department of Public Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and include requirements for the availability of free drinking water, fresh fruits and vegetables, and nutritional information for non-packaged foods. The use of deep fryers is banned.

The regulations do not apply to bake sales, concession stands and other school-sponsored events.

The nutrition bill also requires issues of nutrition and exercise to be included in the educational curriculum, and it establishes a commission to make recommendations related the management of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and eating disorders.

"I applaud the Senate for taking an important step in combating what has become a childhood obesity epidemic in the Commonwealth, and across our nation," said Sen. Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge), Senate chairman of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. "By limiting the availability
of unhealthy foods and promoting the infusion of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, we're not only curbing bad habits among our children, but improving the general, healthy outlook of wellness in
Massachusetts."

As a way to further promote wholesome food options and locally grown products, the bill encourages statewide adoption of the successful "Farm-to-School" program, which creates contracts between local farms and public schools to provide fresh fruits, vegetables and ingredients.

The bill also adds state colleges and universities to the requirement that state agencies or authorities give preferential treatment to local farms when purchasing agricultural products.

Finally, capitalizing on the fresh food trend, the bill requires the study of Boston's "Chefs in Schools" program, which teaches schools to create healthy, cost-effective meals that kids like to eat, to see how it could be effectively implemented in other school districts.

The bill now goes back to the House of Representatives for further action.

I would prefer to see more of a focus on how to cook and prepare good meals. Jamie Oliver's talk and the actions he proposed I think would be a better longer term solution than "unfunded mandates."

Why?
The State is addressing a major issue (societal obesity) via a mechanism it can control (school lunches) that doesn't get to the heart of the matter (the family dinner table).