Chapter I - Health and Safety

Part 1.0 Student Health Section

1.6 School Nutrition Programs

American Preparatory Academy supports a healthy environment where children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. The mission of the Food Service Department is to support academic achievement and good eating habits of students by providing nutritious and delicious lunches with the opportunity to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

I. Nutrition Education
All students will participate in a planned sequential program of curricula and instruction that helps students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary for a healthy, active lifestyle as required by the Utah Core Standards for Health Education in grades K-6, middle school, and high school as consistent with R277-700.

II . National School Lunch Program
To support our families, American Preparatory Academy participates in the National School Lunch Program and provides lunches at a free, reduced, and full price rates based on student eligibility. All school lunches meet the dietary requirements of the National School Lunch Program.

A. School Lunch
Parents are expected to provide a nutritious lunch for their students each day. They may do this by sending a lunch to school with their student, or by pre-ordering lunches through the school lunch program. Parents who send lunch to school with their student should ensure that the lunch is nutritious and contains recommended foods for growing children, including protein and fresh fruits and vegetables. School lunches include whole grains, protein, fruit, vegetables, and fluid milk. No soda or drinks with red dye are allowed.

Elementary students have a minimum of 20 minutes to eat lunch in the classroom where instructors supervise and encourage students to eat their lunch. Microwaves are not available in elementary classrooms. School lunches are served cold, and we encourage parents of elementary students to pack a lunch that can be eaten cold.

Secondary students have a minimum of 20 minutes to eat lunch in a cafeteria/multi-purpose room with lunchtime supervisors. Microwaves are available to secondary students.

B. Free/Reduced Lunch Application
We encourage all families to complete and submit a family Free/Reduced meal application. Information provided in the application is kept confidential and is important to APA as we seek funding for our students. The application can be completed in Skyward or be found online: https://www.americanprep.org/school-lunch-program/eligibility/
Students who are directly certified for free meals are automatically eligible for fee waivers and this status will be disclosed to the fee waiver program unless parents contact lunch@apamail.org within 10 business days. Students who qualify for free meals may be eligible for a fee waiver. Visit https://www.americanprep.org/school-fees/ for more information.

C. Ordering School Lunch and Milk
https://www.americanprep.org/school-lunch-program/order-lunch-online/

Families who choose to participate in the school lunch program must pre-order meals at least 6 days in advance. All school lunch orders include milk. Parents sending a lunch from home may also pre-order milk for their students; milk must be pre-ordered at least 6 days in advance. Parents are encouraged to order as far in advance as the menu allows.

American Preparatory Academy uses a third-party website to place and manage orders for school meals. It is called Hot Lunches Online - this is the name of the website, school lunches are served cold. Whenever possible we try to serve the specific lunch you order, but there are occasions when your student will be presented with an alternative that meets the nutritional requirements and your child’s specific dietary restrictions.

If a student has food allergies or dietary restrictions, the parents will contact lunch@apamail.org to order special meals. Once the student is set up to receive special meals, parents can order normally.

1. Canceling pre-ordered meals - Our lunches are made 24 hours in advance, so we must have at least 48 hours notice to cancel a meal. To cancel meals, contact lunch@apamail.org. Canceled meals can be credited to your school lunch account. No cash or credit/debit refunds. If we have to cancel lunches due to COVID-19, refunds will be available.

2. Receiving meals - The school does not receive any reimbursement when a meal is not received by the student. Students who are at school but fail to pick up their lunch three or more times over a two-week period may have future lunch orders canceled until the student and parent/guardian meet with a school director and receive approval from the food service director. If meal orders have been canceled, students are welcome to go to the lunchroom to request an available meal.

3. Meal charges - It is the responsibility of the parent to provide a lunch or pre-order lunch for their student(s). If a student arrives at school without a lunch or with insufficient food to eat, the school lunch staff may offer a school lunch. The meal charge (if applicable) will be added to the student’s account. The lunch staff will notify the parents of the meal charge.

4. Unpaid meal charges - If a student has unpaid meal charges in excess of $10, the lunch staff may offer them an emergency meal (containing fruit, vegetables, and milk).

D. Special Diets
In accordance with the National School Lunch Program and USDA guidelines, American Preparatory Academy provides an equal opportunity to participate in the school lunch program for students with food allergies or conditions that impact food consumption. Parents will disclose student health conditions, including food allergies, during registration. Parents must also contact lunch@apamail.org to order special meals through the school lunch program. Once the student is set up to receive special meals, parents can order normally.

All items in the school lunch program are nut-free. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free meals are included on the regular menu. Other allergies are accommodated as needed.

If a food accommodation requires adjustments to the NSLP meal pattern, the parent will complete a Special Diet Form, available by emailing lunch@apamail.org. The food service manager will work with school directors, the school nurse, and follow a 504 plan as appropriate.

III. After School Snack Program
The West Valley 1 and West Valley 2 campuses participate in the After School Snack Program as part of the after school programs. Due to their status as Title I schools, the snacks are free to all students participating in after school activities. Students receive snacks that meet the nutritional guidelines of the After School Snack Program.

IV. Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Because of their title I status, the West Valley 1 and West Valley 2 campuses participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Elementary students are served at least two fresh fruits or vegetables per week.