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Child Nutrition Newsletter
March 2025
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With March being “National Nutrition Month” and this week, we are celebrating “National Breakfast Week” please remind your students the importance of healthy eating habits and that breakfast is the perfect start to a busy day!
Spring is approaching fast, March 20th, and with "Day Light Savings Time" it gives us more sunlight to enjoy our days. It also brings more opportunity to enjoy getting out on walks and experiencing nature!
We are so proud that our department was highlighted in the recent Orcutt Pioneer. We continue to strive to provide "Real food for Real kids". Please click on the link below to read the article.
Christy Wineman, Director of Child Nutrition
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Breakfast for Health & Learning.
Celebrating National School Breakfast Week!
March 10-14, 2025
Have you ever wondered how the word “breakfast” came about? It literally means “breaking the fast” after the hours spent sleeping overnight. Starting the school day with a healthy breakfast is one of the best things we can do for children’s health and academic success. Research shows that students who eat breakfast are more focused, score significantly higher on tests, and miss fewer days of school, all of which increase their chances of graduating.
Despite these proven benefits, many children still arrive at school without breakfast. Tight family budgets, busy work schedules, and early morning bus routes can all stand in the way of a healthy meal. Plus, not everyone feels hungry first thing in the morning. That’s where the School Breakfast Program comes in, providing free, nutritious meals to all students and helping to overcome these challenges.
If, for any reason, students miss breakfast before the bell, our cafeterias offer “Second Chance Breakfast.” This program gives children an opportunity to enjoy a nutritious meal later in the morning if they were unable to eat earlier. Ultimately, let’s ensure every child, whether they grab breakfast before the bell or afterward, starts their day nourished and ready to learn, because no student’s potential should be limited by an empty stomach!
Dmitriy Tsoy, Registered Dietician / Nutrition Coordinator
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Cooking Santa Maria Style?
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Well, close! BBQing on a Traeger is the second-best way!
Students and staff get to smell the aroma while kitchen staff are BBQing approximately 60-80lbs of Tri-Tip. Both Lakeview & Orcutt Jr. Highs BBQ enough meat for their site and for Orcutt Academy High School. They use it to make sandwiches on locally baked ciabatta rolls and for salads served with in-house made salsa and guacamole.
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One of the favorite menu items for students is when we serve "Build your own." Students get to put whatever they want on their entrée. The salad bars are loaded with fresh local vegetables and fruit, freshly made salsa and guacamole, jalapeños and pickles, to name a few items. Pictured is an elementary student who loaded up their "Beef Frito Bowl" with loads of green leaf lettuce and grabbed three clementine tangerines! Looks like a healthy lunch! Ask your student what their favorite menu item is.
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Happenings at the Jr. Highs & High School
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Our staff are all enjoying trying out new recipes with fresh & local produce. Making a variety of salsas and guacamoles, chunky & smooth. Seen here in the picture staff roasted tomatillos and serrano peppers to make Chili Verde salsa. The students loved all the choices to put on their Shrimp Tacos! |
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Link's & Important Information
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Please visit the following links for menus, important information & how to deposit funds. |
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Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - Annual Notification
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Based on your annual earnings, you may be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Government (Federal EITC). The Federal EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The Federal EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, Federal EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance For Needy Families payments. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a federal tax return to receive the Federal EITC. Be sure to fill out the Federal EITC form in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet. For information regarding your eligibility to receive the Federal EITC, including information on how to obtain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 797 or any other necessary forms and instructions, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676 or through its website at www.irs.gov.
You may also be eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) starting with the calendar year 2015 tax year. The California EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The California EITC is treated in the same manner as the Federal EITC and generally will not be used to determine eligibility for welfare benefits under California law. To claim the California EITC, even if you do not owe California taxes, you must file a California income tax return and complete and attach the California EITC Form (FTB 3514). For information on the availability of the credit eligibility requirements and how to obtain the necessary California forms and get help filing, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711 or through its website at www.ftb.ca.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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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
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