Child Nutrition January Newsletter

Hello and Welcome Back!

 

I hope everyone is as excited as I am to start the New Year!

 

The cafeterias at the Orcutt Junior High & Lakeview campuses had a very successful start in December. We will continue the same set up for our lunch service - the first item listed on the menu and the cold menu items that follow will ONLY be served in the cafeteria, while the last item or "speed item" will be served at the outside service windows. This has helped reduce wait times and allowed more kids to grab food before heading out to socialize with friends. We have seen increases in our participation and we have received awesome feedback from the students at both sites.

 

Next, we will be opening the cafeterias at OJH & LKV during nutrition break. Starting Tuesday, January 21st, the hot item listed first on the breakfast menus will be served ONLY during nutrition break and ONLY in the cafeteria. The following two "speed items" will be served before school and during nutrition break ONLY at the outside service windows. We will be making announcements on campus to inform the students and we are hoping this will help kids get through lines faster!

 

District wide we have two major changes starting in January. Due to restrictions and trying to focus on wholesome breakfast choices, we will no longer be offering chocolate milk at our breakfast services. Low-Fat and Non-Fat Milk, Water and occasionally Orange Juice will be offered at breakfast along with fruit and our breakfast entrees. Chocolate milk will only be offered as an option at lunch service and afterschool supper service. 

 

The second major change is our Supper menu. We have added more scratch recipes and more diversity to our supper menu so that our kids in Campus Connection can enjoy the same level of food they get throughout the school day. We are excited to try out new ideas and get feedback from our kids!

 

Thank to our OUSD families, students, & staff for their patience and support!

Christy Wineman, Director

Welcome to the New Year and welcome back to school! This is a time of year to reflect on the past and make plans for the future. It’s also when many of us turn to the latest diet trends in hopes of a fresh start. These trendy diets often promise fast and dramatic results but rarely help create healthy habits that last. More importantly, they can lead to unhealthy eating habits and nutritional imbalances by encouraging people to cut out entire food groups or drastically reduce calories. Every food group plays an essential role in supporting our overall health, and restricting them can lead to a less balanced and nutritious diet. It's difficult to maintain good health without a wide variety of nutritious foods from all the food groups.

Instead of focusing on restrictive diets, consider setting goals that promote overall health and well-being. Begin by reflecting on the changes you truly wish to make this year. Often, we are not fully aware of our daily habits, so take a close look at what you're currently doing and identify areas where you can make improvements. Start with small, manageable changes. For example, if you eat whole grains only a couple of times a week, try adding an extra serving once or twice a week. Similarly, if you rarely walk, try incorporating a few short walks into your week. As you feel more comfortable, you can gradually increase the duration or frequency of these activities. Choose something realistic and attainable because once you experience a small success, you'll naturally be motivated to keep going.

Remember, consistency is the key to lasting behavior change. It’s about progress, not

perfection. Small, consistent steps towards healthier habits are far more effective than drastic and short-lived changes.

Here’s to a healthy and happy new year filled with nourishing choices!.

Dmitriy Tsoy, Registered Dietician / Nutrition Coordinator

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:

Marianne Heuchert, Office Manager

(805)938-8926

Cynthia Melendez, Assistant Office Manager

(805)938-8924

Dmitriy Tsoy , Nutrition Coordinator-Registered Dietician

(805)938-8983

Christy Wineman, Director

(805)938-8925