Trinity Elementary School Parents get a BIG, “It’s Not My Job” from the USDA’s Team Nutrition

Recently, one of our parents sent the following correspondence to the USDA’s Team Nutrition regarding the some if the issues parents have been addressing with the lunch time situation at Trinity Elementary School at the City School District of New Rochelle.

Subject: New Rochelle Schools

Dear Team Nutrition:

I am a parent in New Rochelle who has serious concerns about the lunch time at one of our elementary schools. We do not feel the school district takes our concerns very seriously. We have documented and continue to document some of these issues and have only seen the issues minimized not been given the importance they deserve. As I read through “Setting Goals for Other School-Based ActivitiesDesigned to Promote Student Wellness” , I realized that our district has dropped the ball when it comes to the lunch at Trinity Elementary School. Maybe you can provide some assistance to our concerns.

Please visit the following links for context of some of the concerns:

Second Graders at Trinity Have a Long Wait Until Lunch
Second graders have to wait until 1:00PM to eat lunch.

Lessons From the Lunchroom

Parents Mobilizing to Address 15 Minute Lunch
4th and 5th graders only have 15 to eat lunch. This includes the time on line to purchase lunch.

School District Has a Little Fun Playing “Kick the 15 Minute Lunch Down the Road” With Trinity Parents
Medical Director/Health and Wellness Chair for the City School District attempts to justify 15 minute lunch.

Superintendent said “nothing more than a way to get in some exercise on a chilly day”…we disagree
Superintendent dismisses and lies about group punishment in the form of physical activity.

A Harsh Lesson to Learn in First Grade
Full description of group punishment during recess time.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. We would appreciate any assistance or guidance you may be able to provide.

Best regards,

Concerned New Rochelle Parent

This is how they responded:

From: CNDINTERNET
Date: December 5, 2008 1:36:07 PM EST
Subject: USDA response: New Rochelle Schools

Thank you for your November 28, 2008 email to Team Nutrition regarding the length of lunch periods provided to children in Trinity Elementary School in New Rochelle, New York. Your email is being answered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) because we are responsible for administering the school meals programs at the Federal level.

We take our responsibility seriously to ensure children have access to nutritious meals during the school day. Schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are required to offer lunches between 10:00am and 2:00pm, as established by regulation at 7 CFR 210.10(f)(1). The USDA is prohibited by law from imposing more stringent requirements on the lunch period as would pertain to school curriculum, including the specific length of the lunch period or specific time of day in which the lunch period is scheduled. Issues pertaining to school curriculum fall under State and local jurisdictions and are best left to State and local officials, respectively.

We share your concern that children have an adequate amount of time to select and consume lunch. The school meal programs contribute significantly to nutritious diets that children need to achieve academic success. The environment which school meals are provided can have a major impact on the ability of school lunches and breakfasts to make this important contribution. FNS works closely with local school administrators to promote the importance of providing meal periods of reasonable length and to identify strategies for providing efficient and healthy school foodservice areas. Clearly, the length of time for lunch periods presents a complicated issue. School administrators must accommodate numerous interests, demands on time, and limited resources when developing school schedules, including lunch periods. We are committed to continuing our efforts to encourage local school food authorities to recognize the importance of providing children healthy school food environments with adequate time to select and consume a meal.

Through the links you provided in your email, it is evident that significant effort has been put forth by parents to work with the City School District of New Rochelle regarding the length of the lunch period. We encourage you to continue to work with the school district, including the principal and superintendent, the school board, and parents (PTA), to clarify concerns and identify solutions that can meet the specific needs of both your children and your schools. The most successful avenue to inspire change at the local level is often through parental involvement. To support your efforts, you may find it beneficial to consult USDA’s Team Nutrition web site to access Changing the Scene: Improving the School Nutrition Environment. This resource can be used at the local level to educate decision makers about the role school environments play in providing nutrition and promoting student health.

Additionally, it may be beneficial to articulate your concerns to the State Department of Education which oversees the administration of the school meals programs at the local level in New York. You can contact the New York Department of Education, Child Nutrition Programs at:

Child Nutrition Program Administration
Coordinator
State Department of Education,
Room 55
Albany,
New York 12234-0055
NSLP Phone: 518-473-8781

NSLP Fax: 518-473-0018

Thank you again for your efforts to promote success of the National School Lunch Program in your community.

CND INTERNET

Maybe if the Child Nutrition Program Administration Coordinator at the State Education Department received a couple o phone calls or received a couple of faxes from Trinity Parents, it would push the matter in the right direction.