Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)
Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team
Serving Up Science
The Center for Food Safety in Child Nutrition Programs is excited to once again host Serving Up Science: The Path to Safe Food in Schools. The in-person program will take place April 8-12, 2024 at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Participants are expected to arrive on Monday, April 8 and stay through 12:00 PM on Friday, April 12. If selected for this program, all travel costs to and from Manhattan, Kansas are the responsibility of the participant or their employer. Other program expenses including meals and lodging are provided during the participant's time in Manhattan.
Complete this Short Survey to be considered for a nomination to the Serving up Science training program by November 15, 2023. Notification of acceptance to attend the program will be completed no later than the week of November 20, 2023.
Around the World in 80 Trays
Join the School Nutrition Team and schools/districts around the state on a culinary adventure to celebrate the diverse cultures of Wisconsin students! The annual Around the World in 80 Trays event will take place on January 15-19, 2024 and encourages schools to serve a globally inspired dish(es) to students during that week. Take the Pledge to help us reach our goal of 80 SFAs participating and visit the Event Webpage for activities and menu inspiration. New resources, including four new cuisine recipes will be released later this fall.
Unanticipated School Closure Waiver
Schools that need to close temporarily due to unanticipated events, such as natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety or other issues, labor management disputes, or when approved by the state agency for a similar unanticipated cause may be eligible to continue providing nutritious meals through the USDA School Meal Programs with State Agency (DPI SNT) approval.
Wavier Application
Any SFA that has a school closure due to unanticipated events and would like to continue offering school meals to students must contact the School Nutrition Team at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov prior to meal service to determine if the school is eligible and to complete a waiver request. The waiver may allow a school to continue meal service through non-congregate, parent pick up, meal service times and offer vs serve. Waiver approvals are not retroactive. If an unanticipated event arises, contact the School Nutrition Team right away. Any SFAs approved for a waiver must continue to maintain accountability and program integrity.
1. Does it matter if the school transitions to virtual learning or not?
Yes, it matters if the school is offering virtual or asynchronous learning.
If the school is closed and not offering virtual or asynchronous learning, the waiver could only be used to transition to the Seamless Summer Option (SSO). Under SSO, all meals are provided at no charge and schools must meet the SSO Eligibility Requirements to be eligible for this waiver.
If the school is closed but offering virtual or asynchronous learning that counts toward educational hours, meal service would be provided through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, as applicable. Meals would continue to be counted and claimed based on the students’ eligibility status.
2. How long would the wavier allow meal service to continue?
The DPI SNT may approve waivers for up to 10 consecutive operating days. Longer closures require USDA approval.
3. How long is the waiver available for?
This waiver is available for the 2023-24 school year, through June 30, 2024.
4. Can school closures due to snow or extreme cold weather fall under the unanticipated school closure waiver?Weather conditions that require a school to close may qualify for the waiver. See question one for more details. Schools are encouraged to determine the feasibility and safety of providing meals that would require SFA staff and parents/caregivers to travel in potentially unsafe weather conditions. If the school closure is officially announced a day in advance, a sack lunch may be an option to send home with students with prior DPI SNT approval.
5. Can meals be served and claimed for students on planned days, such as teacher in-service days or holidays?
No. Since these closures are not unanticipated, school meals cannot be provided or claimed through the USDA School Meal Programs on these days.
6. Our daycare is included in the school nutrition contract and operates at a school location and will remain open while the remainder of the school is closed, do they qualify to continue meal service?
Contact the School Nutrition Team to discuss these situations as there are many variables that apply.
Contact the School Nutrition Team at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov or 608-267-9228 for more information or to request a waiver.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
125 S Webster Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563