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June Newsletter & Summer Nutrition Program
Child Nutrition Newsletter June 2025 Director's Message Pizza, pancakes and picnics everywhere! What a last couple of days leading into a fun-packed summer! We round out the year with catering at all of our sites and excellent celebrations for our students. Our amazing team has showcased an Oak Pit BBQ complete with garlic bread, beans and salsa for our Orcutt Academy Seniors, homemade pancakes for 6th graders at Ralph Dunlap and catered both 8th grade parties as they get ready to go into High School next year. The appreciation shown by our fellow staff and students has been amazing! While I hope everyone has a relaxing, fun and safe summer we will still be here hard at work for our summer programs. At Joe Nightingale, Olga Reed and Orcutt Academy High School we will be feeding our summer school programs and we will also have free summer feeding while those locations are open. Any meals offered to community kids must be given to children 0-18 years old, must be consumed on campus and must be picked up at the cafeteria external door. Please check out our website and flyers to get times, dates and menus. One exciting part of getting to serve students through the summer is to share new recipes and menus with them. Stay tuned to hear about how Chilaquiles, Homemade Mac and Cheese, and a couple surprise new items do with our kids. We can't wait to get their ideas and feedback. The summer time is truly fun for us in Food Services because we get a lot of time to spend asking for ideas from our customers! Not only would I like to say thank you to everyone for the most amazing first year with OUSD - I would also like to say it has been an incredible year and we cannot wait to see everyone next year, hear the stories of summer and get to share all the new things we dream up. Here is to all having safe and happy times ahead! Christy Wineman, Director of Child Nutrition Summer Camp & Summer Feeding Breakfast & Lunch are provided for students, at No-Cost, who are enrolled in the following programs: *Joe Nightingale (ELOP) serving times - Breakfast 9:20 & Lunch 12:30 Ralph Dunlap (ESY) serving times - Breakfast 8:30 & Lunch 12:00 *Olga Reed (ASES) Breakfast 7:45 & Lunch 11:30 Alice Shaw (TK Jump-Start) serving times - to be determined *Orcutt Academy High School (Credit Recovery) serving times: - Breakfast 9:45 & Lunch 11:30 Program serving times are subjected to change. *These sites are open for "Summer Feeding" for children 0-18 years old at No-Cost. Meals must be consumed on campus. Holidays observed 6/19-20 & 7/4 Summer Menu Picnic In The Park (PIP) What is Picnic In The Park?? Picnic in the Park (PIP) is a program hosted by the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County during summer break. The program provides free lunches to children (18 and under) countywide on Monday – Friday. Everyone is welcome, and there is no sign-up or registration process. Click the link below for the locations of Picnic In The Park. Locations for Picnic In The Park CALL 1-866-3-HUNGRY TEXT 914-342-7744 "MEALS" Healthy Bites! Summer Break Begins, Healthy Habits Continue! Summer is officially here! When that final bell rings, signaling the start of the highly anticipated summer break, many parents face the challenge of maintaining nutritious meals without the structure of a school routine. Fear not! With a little planning and creativity, summer can become a season of food exploration, fun, and connection just as it’s meant to be. Morning routines may shift during summer months, but breakfast remains the foundation of a nutritious day. Consider setting up a simple breakfast station with grab-and-go options like yogurt parfaits, overnight oats, and fresh fruit that children can serve and assemble themselves. This encourages independence while ensuring they start their day with essential nutrition. Lunch preparation becomes easier with involvement. Invite your children to participate in meal planning and preparation. This not only teaches valuable life skills but also makes them more likely to eat what they've helped create. Let them pick out new recipes to try or choose their favorite ingredients from seasonal options. Farmers markets offer the perfect learning opportunity, where kids can discover where food comes from while selecting fresh, local produce. And let’s not forget that summer is a time for fun and relaxation. While it’s important to maintain a balanced diet, it’s also okay to enjoy occasional treats. Balance is key, and teaching kids to enjoy all foods in moderation will help build healthy eating habits that last not just through summer but well beyond. Wishing you a safe and happy summer break! Keep your water bottles full, your pantry stocked with healthy snacks, and remember, watermelon counts as both hydration and dessert. Win-win! Dmitriy Tsoy, Registered Dietician / Nutrition Coordinator Cuban Mojo Pork with Cilantro & Lime Rice This scratch made pork was a total hit with students and staff! Cuban Mojo Pork has a balance of flavors of citrus from freshly squeezed limes and oranges, roasted with garlic, spices cumin and oregano. Served with rice and topped with the students choice of fresh toppings. Link's & Important Information Please visit the following links for menus, important information & how to deposit funds. My School Menus Child Nutrition Website My Mealtime Contact info 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 mheuchert@orcutt-schools.net Cynthia Melendez, Assistant Office Manager (805)938-8924 cmelendez@orcutt-schools.net Dmitriy Tsoy, Nutrition Coordinator-Registered Dietician (805)938-8983 dtsoy@orcutt-schools.net Christy Wineman, Director (805)938-8925 cwineman@orcutt-schools.net USDA Nondiscrimination Statement - April 17, 2025 In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 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 state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination 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: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410 Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: 202-690-7442; or email: Program.Intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Friday, Jun 06 2025
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May Newsletter
Child Nutrition Newsletter May 2025 Director's Message The end of the year is coming up and with that comes celebrations, graduations and vacations! For all of us in Child Nutrition it also brings our “School Lunch Hero Day” on May 2nd. It is the day where we thank our Child Nutrition Cooks and Workers for their hard work, dedication and creativity while keeping our students nourished and excited about their food on campus. This year I asked different members of my management team and staff to nominate their peers so that I could share not only what I see but what everyone notices while they are working side by side at our different sites. Please take a moment and enjoy a couple spotlights about these special individuals below. First out of the gate is Cynthia Melendez - her name was brought up multiple times and with good reason. Cynthia keeps our warehouse and orders rolling at all times making sure that all of our vendors and menus match up and that we can be successful with the huge goals we set this year. She helps plan menus, attends food shows and strives to bring in the freshest items she can find, as well as the most local. All of this while being a student herself and keeping up with her two students within Orcutt Union. We couldn’t do it without you Cynthia, thank you for always striving to keep our students thriving! Next up is our “School Lunch Hero” apron recipient Rebecca Benavidez that proudly cooks for Patterson Elementary. Rebecca meets every menu change with a smile while dealing with staffing shortages in her kitchen amongst always increasing participation. Rebecca is a master at bringing a smile to the students faces, cooking special meals for allergy challenges and always giving us a laugh with her sense of humor. The excellence in Rebecca’s work shines through and we appreciate her every day! Another spotlight cook is Kristen Woo that heads up the team at Orcutt Academy High School. Kristen is constantly looking for ways to make service quicker at the high school so the students have more social time but she never lets the quality of her food suffer, her kitchen puts out the very best. Students have said that they feel like they are eating at a restaurant and are continually telling me how much they appreciate what the OAHS team does for them. Kristen is a prime example of excellence within our community and how confidence in your work shines onto our students! Shannon Thompson from our Lakeview Hr. High Crew is the last lunch hero cook we will be featuring. Shannon has overcome a lot of challenges this year and always done it with enthusiasm and a smile. The participation numbers have skyrocketed at Lakeview this year since the opening of the cafeteria and the student feedback has been incredible. Shannon and her team also let me take over their kitchen and make messes whenever I want to try a new recipe - that sure isn’t for the faint of heart. Through adversity and multiple challenges Shannon found a way to shine through it all and it was noticed by all! Director's Message Continued... Every single nomination above was brought to me by other people within my department and I thought long and hard about nominating some of my own but I am proud of each and every person in Child Nutrition. Please remember that this is just a snapshot of our department, each and every one of our department members is special and I appreciate them all, if you get a chance this week or anytime please drop them a line or stop by and let them know how much you appreciate them as well! What I want to shed a light on are the new people in our department this year! Gil Cabrera (warehouse), Loriann Cossa (Lakeview), Taylor Estes (Olga Reed), Lillian Joyce (Pine Grove), Christian Kelly (Orcutt Junior High), Johnny Mitchell (Pine Grove), Diana Miller (Nightingale), Lindsey Welbaum (Patterson), Amanda Duff (Sub), Christina Giddings (Sub) and Patti Murphy (Sub) - have all joined our team since the fall and are all wonderful additions to our program. The rest of our team has done a great job training and creating lasting relationships with these new faces and that is what makes them all heroes! As the new motto for the district states, we are where excellence shines and community thrives, and I get to be a part of that with my entire team of School Lunch Heroes every day. I hope you all appreciate them as much as I do! Christy Wineman, Director of Child Nutrition Celebrating Lunch Heroes! Healthy Bites! Mood Follows Movements Have you ever noticed how a short walk can turn your whole day around? This month, let's shift gears from our usual topics of food and nutrition and explore something equally important and one of my personal favorites - physical activity. You're likely familiar with the physical benefits of exercise, but did you know it can also help you feel better right away? Physical activity triggers the release of “feel-good” brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which help regulate your mood, sleep, and appetite. It also reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol and boosts growth factors that support brain health, creating new neural connections. There's no better time to highlight this connection between physical activity and mental health than now, as May happens to be both Mental Health Awareness Month and National Physical Fitness and Sports Month! Recent statistics reveal a concerning picture. It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults and adolescents (ages 12-17) experience mental health challenges. The picture gets even more troubling when we look at the limited access to mental health care, with a ratio of 350 people per one mental health provider in many areas. This perspective makes our focus on physical activity even more relevant. Exercise is one of the most accessible tools we have to support mental wellness, regardless of where we live or what resources are available to us. And here’s the good news, you don't need to train for a marathon to experience mental health benefits. Research shows that even a modest increase in physical activity, equivalent to about 1.25 hours of brisk walking per week (that's just about 10-15 min per day), can lower risk of depression by almost 20% compared to not being active at all. On those days when you are feeling a little blue, remember to add some movement to your day and watch how quickly your mood can shift. Your body and your mind will thank you! Dmitriy Tsoy, Registered Dietician / Nutrition Coordinator Mental Health Awareness Month Physical Fitness & Sports Month Link's & Important Information Please visit the following links for menus, important information & how to deposit funds. My School MenusChild Nutrition WebsiteMy Mealtime Contact Information 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, Editor (805)938-8926 mheuchert@orcutt-schools.net Cynthia Melendez, Assistant Office Manager (805)938-8924 cmelendez@orcutt-schools.net Dmitriy Tsoy , Nutrition Coordinator-Registered Dietician (805)938-8983 dtsoy@orcutt-schools.net Christy Wineman, Director (805)938-8925 cwineman@orcutt-schools.net USDA 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, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 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 state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027T (PDF), found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested by form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: 202-690-7442; or email: Program.Intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Wednesday, Apr 30 2025
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Two Parent Ed Nights, Two Important Topics
The Orcutt Union School District is proud to present two virtual parent education nights in May: Tuesday, May 6, 6:00 p.m. - Zoom link here Tuesday, May 13, 6:00 p.m. - Zoom link here For more information, please contact Joe Dana, assistant superintendent of educational services, jdana@orcutt-schools.net
Thursday, Apr 24 2025
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YMCA College Day Trip Available to OUSD Students
The Santa Maria Valley YMCA is targeting Orcutt Union School District students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades for this special opportunity on Friday, June 13. Financial scholarships are available. For more information, or to sign up, please contact Richard Batalla of the YMCA, rbatalla@smvymca.org.
Thursday, Apr 24 2025
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Join the OUSD Health Services Team!
The Orcutt Union School District currently has open positions for Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and Administrative School Nurse. If you are passionate about making a difference in education and student health care, we would love to have you on our team! For more information, please refer to the attached flyer.
Tuesday, Mar 18 2025
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Child Nutrition March Newsletter
Child Nutrition Newsletter March 2025 Director's Message 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 Orcutt Pioneer - article link Healthy Bites! 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 Cooking Santa Maria Style? 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. Let them build it!! 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. Happenings at the Jr. Highs & High School 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! Link's & Important Information Please visit the following links for menus, important information & how to deposit funds. My School Menus Child Nutrition Website My Mealtime - to make deposits Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - Annual Notification 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. Contact info 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 mheuchert@orcutt-schools.net Cynthia Melendez, Assistant Office Manager (805)938-8924 cmelendez@orcutt-schools.net Dmitriy Tsoy , Nutrition Coordinator-Registered Dietician (805)938-8983 dtsoy@orcutt-schools.net Christy Wineman, Director (805)938-8925 cwineman@orcutt-schools.net
Monday, Mar 10 2025
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Enrollment for 2025-2026 Now Under Way!
The Orcutt Union School District has begun enrolling students for the 2025-2026 school year! Most new students are being registered for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten, but we are signing up students for grades 1-8 as well. Please note that the age eligibility window for TK has expanded to include students who turn four on or before September 1, 2025. The enrollment process begins with online forms; to start the process, go to the district website, www.orcuttschools.net , and click on “Enroll” For more information, phone our Enrollment Office at 805-938-8946.
Friday, Mar 07 2025
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Public Review of Materials Considered for SDC Adoption
February 26, 2025 The Orcutt Union School District is considering options for instructional materials for special day classes (SDCs) for students with extensive support needs in grades TK-8. Materials being considered are as follows: Grades TK-8 enCORE K-12, published by TeachTown. enCORE is a standards-aligned, evidence-based core curriculum that provides students with moderate and severe disabilities access to the general education curriculum. Samples of these instructional materials will be on public display by appointment only from March 3 through April 9 at the Orcutt Union School District Instructional Media Center (Building H), located at 500 Dyer Street in Old Orcutt. Interested community members are invited to view the materials and complete an evaluation form. To make an appointment, please contact Jill Eich of the OUSD Educational Services Department by phone at 805-938-8930 or by email at jeich@orcutt-schools.net .
Wednesday, Feb 26 2025