District Memorandum

Date:        12/1/2005

To:            Seattle School Board Office

Cc:             Raj Manhas, Steve Nielsen

From:        Anita Finch, Director of Nutrition Services and Kirsten Frandsen, Steps Nutrition Educator

RE:            Nutrition Advisory Council

Beginning December 1, 2005, recruitment of volunteer members to the Seattle Public Schools Nutrition Advisory Council will begin.

The development of this committee is intended to support the implementation of SPS Nutrition policies and to offer ongoing consultation on a volunteer basis for district and school staff.

The scope of review of the committee will provide ongoing support to the Nutrition Services department in the areas of:

• The school breakfast and lunch menu (& after school snacks) as it relates to federal and state guidelines, regulations and district policy.

• Nutrition policy. Assist in the development of new policies and implementation/assessment of existing policies.

• Facilities and environment.

• Nutrition education in the schools.

• Departmental budget- by lending insight and research into the price of meals pertinent to implementation of nutritional guidelines.

• Researching alternative food options for school meal programs.

• Assist with grant writing to support departmental goals.

• Assist in the development of evaluation tools for parents, staff and community members that allows input surrounding Child Nutrition Services at Seattle Public Schools.

Selection of committee members will be the handled through an application process that involves communication through District Communications staff as well as through targeted public groups. Examples of communication strategies include, but are not limited to announcements in professional listserves, community newspapers, student newsletters, lunch menus, and local libraries while focusing on gathering applications from diverse groups and individuals.

Selection of members for the committee will be undertaken by a group of 5 individuals who will rate applicants on experience relevant to the committee goals and by a series of questions listed on the application form that reflects their interest in the committee, commitment level and strategies for problem solving as it relates to nutrition. Membership applications will be accepted from December 1 st 2005 through January 18 th at 5PM. Selected members will be announced on January 27 th , 2005.

Orientation to the Committee will occur on Wednesday, December 1, 2005 and will convene for its first meeting on Wednesday, February 15 th from 12 PM to 2 PM. Successive meetings will be held monthly on the third Wednesday of every month between the hours of 12 PM and 2 PM at Seattle Public Schools, John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence, 2445 3 rd Ave. South.

Nutrition Advisory Committee Announcement Memo