Food and Nutrition Studies have shown that children who are not hungry perform better in school. By providing school meals to all children at no charge, we are hoping to create a better learning environment for our scholars. Contents Tower Grove South Menus Tower Grove East Menus Fox Park Menus Gravois Park Menus The school breakfast and lunch that we serve follow U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for healthy school meals. The Free Breakfast and Lunch Program cannot succeed without your support. Please encourage your children to participate in the school meal programs. Momentum continues to operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Program under the United States Department of Agriculture Department (USDA) and Missouri Department of Elementary, and Secondary Education (DESE). The intent of the CEP Program is to improve access to free school meals in eligible high-poverty Learning Education Agency (LEA) and schools and to eliminate the collection of family applications. Through the CEP Program, Momentum provides all students the opportunity to receive a free breakfast and lunch meal and a fresh fruit or vegetable snack. Food and Nutrition Program Information Healthy Foods Policy School Breakfast and Lunch Program Free breakfast and lunch are provided to Momentum Academy scholars daily. As part of its participation in the Community Eligibility Provision of the School Nutrition Program (a federal program which subsidizes school meals) the school is able to provide free breakfast and lunch to all scholars daily. Families may send lunch to school with their scholar provided that it is contained in one bag or lunch box, labeled with the scholar’s name, and that it conforms to the School’s Healthy Food Policy. Scholars will not have access to a refrigerator or microwave. If you are sending lunch to school with your child, we ask that you send in nutritious foods that promote positive eating habits and learning. Scholars are not allowed to bring unhealthy drinks (e.g., sodas or juices containing high fructose corn syrup) or unhealthy snacks to school. Candy, gum, chips, fruit drinks, cakes, or other sugary foods are not allowed to be eaten at school. For additional guidance, please see the School Leadership Team. In order to maintain focus in the classroom, families may not send snacks or breakfast to school. This is permitted only in cases in which the scholar has a verified medical dietary restriction. The School Leadership Team reserves the right to prohibit any scholar from bringing a snack, breakfast, or lunch item which becomes a distraction to learning. Healthy Foods Policy Scholar nutrition and health is a focus at Momentum Academy. Poor eating habits can adversely affect scholar performance causing, among other things, a lack of focus, low stamina, and/or behavioral outbursts. For additional information or guidance, please see the district Wellness Policy, which can be found on our website. The school may prohibit the consumption of low nutritional value during lunch or designated snack periods. Food of low nutritional value consists of: ● Chewing gum and candy ● Food and drink containing high sugar or other sweeteners ● “Juice” or juice products containing little fruit or vegetable juice ● Foods with high fat/sugar serving ration (e.g. cookies, Cheetos, potato chips, foods fried in oil) ● Carbonated beverages ● Cakes/cupcakes (unless part of a birthday celebration) Birthday Celebrations To maintain the structure and consistency of the school day, parents/guardians wishing to celebrate a scholar’s birthday with a small treat, should coordinate with the classroom teacher a day in advance, so they can plan accordingly. Families should plan to provide treats during the agreed upon time. Treats must be provided for the entire class and must be a pre-packaged or commercially approved food item. Full policy available in the Family Handbook. Medical Statement for Special Meals Form Fill out this form if your child requires special meals for a medical reason: Download Form Here National School Lunch Program Momentum participates in the National School Lunch Program. Local Education Agencies shall ensure that participating schools provide nutritious and well balanced lunches to children. School Breakfast Program Momentum participates in the School Breakfast Program. Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program Momentum participates in the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program. Nondiscrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filine_cust.html, How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to: USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.