September, 2015
 
Dear Parents:                                                                                               
 
The daily hot lunch program continues as last year, with a change in ordering and a few new items added along the way.  There will no longer be a second lunch option.  Instead your student may order a second entrée for $1.50.  That means they will only be given the main food item (example – second slice of pizza or additonal chicken nuggets).  Your child must order at least one full lunch in order to purchase and entrée.  Entrée only orders will not be accepted.  Ordering procedures wll be the same; orders will be taken on a monthly basis. (FOOD WILL BE PREPARED ON-SITE).
 
            Please note the following points of information:
 

1. Pizza Day will be offered every Wednesday.

 

2. Milk service is sold on a yearly basis, with this year’s orders due by Sept. 9^th with no changes possible after Sept. 9^th. After that date there will be only one opportunity to adjust the order (drop service or start up new service), in January.

 

3. In filling out order forms, take care to clearly mark a LARGE X (XX if ordering an entrée) in the box (it is ok to x over words) and also mark your reminder sheet that you’ll keep. Please note deadlines as we call our order in and cannot change it once it’s placed.

 
It is our goal to please every one of you, while maintaining consistency and order in this complicated program! Thanks for keeping in touch by passing along your suggestions and concerns!
 
HOW IS THE FOOD PREPARED? Food is cooked/prepared on the day it is served at school . Portions are served, fresh, onto students’ plates/trays from large heated “servers.”
 
IS “MILK-ONLY” SERVICE AVAILABLE? Daily milk service is sold at the start of the year for the whole year. The cost is $100 for the school year, payable by September 9 ^th. Please note that hot lunch includes milk so those who take daily milk would have 2 cartons on their hot lunch days.
 
WHAT IS THE COST OF LUNCH? Each day’s lunch costs $3.50 for the 1 ^st lunch, $1.50 for an entree, with reduced-price or free lunch available to any family whose income meets the government standards. (Forms are available in the office.) To order lunch and an entree, mark two X’s and add $3.50 and $1.50.  
 
ORDERS/PAYMENT: Lunch must be ordered for a month, and paid for, in advance when the order is placed. Order forms (that cover a month of lunches) will be sent home around the 3 ^rd week of the month prior (varies with the holidays). You then fill it out to note which days your child will want lunch and return that form – with payment (exact change only, no change or credit given for over payment!) – the next day. Also note that a separate order form must be filled out for each child, regardless of grade. The family may pay with one check or cash envelope for all, but each individual’s lunch order must have a separate form. If paying with one check enclose check and all forms in one envelope. If your child forgets to bring home a form, they are available in the office or online at the school website (under parent information).
 
ABSENTEES: Students who are absent, because of illness, on days for which they’ve purchased lunch will receive lunch credit. The credit slip may be redeemed during the next order time. Credit will not be issued if you order on a day marked “no lunch” or your child’s grade (field trip date).
 
HOW DOES MY CHILD KNOW WHETHER HE/SHE WANTS LUNCH NEXT MONTH? Unfortunately, because of the size of this program, the spontaneity of signing up for lunch each day is sacrificed. Yes, there is an element of “trial-and-error,” as children decide whether they like certain menu items; once they get to know the menu basics, sign-up will be easy. This program is popular with many students.
 
HOW WILL MY CHILD REMEMBER WHAT HE/SHE ORDERED 4 WEEKS AGO? He/She won’t! That’s why it’s important to note the order on your menu/calendar page (which hopefully is posted on the refrigerator or in a similarly prominent place), and then check it every day when it’s time to decide whether to pack lunch or expect it at school. The Archdiocesan food supplier will only be sending food to fill the orders placed in advance. This may not be everyone’s choice for a favorite lunch program; but the food is good for the price, so it is worth the sacrifices!
 
SOME IMPORTANT HOT LUNCH ORDER REMINDERS:
Please understand that we only have three staff members to process about 400 orders and the job becomes difficult when forms are incomplete. Please check for the following:

1. Please use full name and room number on envelope and on the order form.
2. If paying with one check for the whole family, enclose all order forms with that check in one envelope, please.
3. Use X (Large enough to read) to order one lunch, XX for two. Please don’t use numbers or circle lunches desired.
4. Please direct lunch concerns to Mrs. Therese Franzel, Lunch Director, tfranzel@stjoan.net rather than teachers, as teachers do not process orders.,
5. Send in the school form and keep the monthly menu as your home reminder.
6. Please send in exact change, as we cannot make change and return it…Remember, we’re dealing with 400 students.
7. Make sure you watch the deadlines. We have to order from the Archdiocese within a time limit. That’s why we set a deadline. 
8. Please take care not to order if you are going on vacation or know that your child will not be in school for other reasons. Credits are not given for absences. (such as vacations or sports activities)
9. Children without a lunch will be given a lunch, which they can pay for the next day. A hot lunch is provided if available; however, sometimes, we do not have leftovers of the most popular lunches (pizza, chicken, nuggets, tacos). The alternate lunch is peanut butter/jelly plus all the sides.

 
Thanks for taking the extra trouble to help us keep this organized.