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Section 2

CAFETERIA / BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Ritenour cafeterias offer students well-balanced, healthy meals that meet science-based, federal nutrition standards limiting saturated fat, age appropriate portion size and requiring the right balance of fruits, vegetables, milk, grains and meat/meat alternative. Students are offered fresh, canned and/or frozen fruits and fresh and frozen vegetables, whole grains, salads, zero transfats, low fat dairy items, 1 percent flavored and unflavored milk, baked items rather than fried, and healthy cooking and preparation techniques. Child Nutrition and the food service industry are making student favorites healthier, such as pizza on whole grain crust with low-sodium sauce and low-fat cheese and chicken nuggets with whole grain breading and baked rather than fried. Meals are bundled as a unit and students must select full servings of at least three food items offered. Students must choose 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetable serving for lunch. Students may bring their lunch to school, however drinks cannot be in glass bottles. Breakfast is served prior to the start of each school day.

The district’s wellness policy and practices apply to all foods and beverages available on campuses during the school day, which include: vending machines, school stores, classroom parties, celebrations, fundraisers, rewards, school events and snacks.

Menus are planned and meals are prepared and served by the district’s Child Nutrition Department. The department follows the guidelines of the National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast Program, based on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

Cafeteria Accounts
Each student has his/her own meal account. Students are issued an ID card that is scanned at the cash register and the transaction is electronically connected to the students meal account. MySchoolBucks is an online meal account access available to Ritenour parents to check if their child(ren) have eaten breakfast and/or lunch on any given day. Students can be enrolled at www.myschoolbucks.com.

What’s For Breakfast and Lunch?
Printable monthly menus are available on the district website. Daily menus are available on the district app.

Candy / Soda
In the interest of good health and eating habits, parents are encouraged to limit candy and soda students bring to school for lunch. Students are not permitted to bring drinks to school in bottles. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the classrooms.

Wellness
The district is committed to contributing to the good health and total wellness of its students by conducting food service and physical/health education programs that promote positive dietary and lifestyle practices. The programs are an integrated part of the total learning environment and curriculum. They are designed to maximize student well being and academic achievement.

CELEBRATIONS AND TREATS AT SCHOOL
Treats may only be brought to school for celebrations and parties with permission of the building administrator. All baked goods brought in which are not provided by the Ritenour School District Child Nutrition Services MUST be commercially prepared. No homemade baked goods can be served.

All foods served must meet the regulations established in the Ritenour School District Student Allergies – Avoidance, Prevention and Response Policy which includes providing a complete list of ingredients of all processed foods served. No products containing tree nuts or peanuts are allowed to be served.

Party snacks can be served with fun plates, napkins, cups or straws or have a tasting party where children can vote for their favorite healthy snack. Cookie cutters can be used to make sandwiches or fruit more interesting!

Healthy snack ideas:

  • Fruit smoothies
  • Fruit kabobs made with a variety of fruits
  • Yogurt parfaits with non-fat or low-fat yogurt, low-fat granola and fruit
  • Angel food cake topped with fresh fruit
  • Light or low-fat popcorn
  • Low-fat pudding
  • Applesauce or other fruit cups
  • Raw veggies served with low-fat dip like salad dressing or hummus
  • Berries with low-fat whipped topping
  • Bananas or strawberries and chocolate syrup as a dip
  • Graham crackers with jam or apple butter
  • Fresh apple slices with caramel or yogurt dip
  • Raisins or dried fruit such as bananas, apples, peaches, apricots, etc.
  • Whole grain tortilla chips and salsa
  • Whole grain crackers with reduced-fat cheese

Healthy school celebrations are encouraged. Although foods are generally associated with celebrations, below are some suggestions for non-food activities:

  • Have a scavenger hunt for items or information in the classroom or around the school. Have children search for items related to the party theme.
  • Provide “free choice” activity time at the end of the day.
  • Provide extra recess time.
  • Celebrate creatively by setting up craft stations and playing music in the background. Ask parents to provide the supplies such as clay, craft paper, pencils, markers, paints and stickers.*
  • Plan special party games.
  • Have a dance party.
  • Read a children’s book related to the party theme.
  • Allow children a trip to the treasure box. (Parents can supply it with small toys, books, note pads, paints, etc.)
  • Allow students to pick a book of their choice, and ask the principal or a parent to come in and read it.

If you have any questions, please contact Deana Hill, Interim Director of Child Nutrition Services at hilld@ritenourschools.org.

CELL PHONES & PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Pre-K through Grade 8
Use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices, including but not limited to cameras, radios, hand-held video games, electronic games and stations, laser pointers, etc., is prohibited during school hours – including lunch. This also includes all cell phone features such as text messaging, camera and video, Internet, etc. Students are discouraged from bringing such devices to school since they may not be used during the school day.

High School (Grades 9-12)
Students are allowed to use their cell phone before, during and after school, but only in the hallways and at lunch. Use during class will result in disciplinary consequences. Students texting or having a conversation on the phone in class during instruction will have their phone confiscated, but it will be returned at the end of the day. The student may be disciplined in accordance with the Ritenour discipline policy. Teachers can have students use their cell phones for instructional or organizational purposes, but only at the discretion of the teacher. As a reminder, it is the student’s responsibility to keep cell phones or other devices secure to prevent loss.

All Students
It is never permissible for individuals (students, staff, and parents) to take photos or videos of others without their permission.

More serious infractions related to cell phone use would include:

  • distributing or receiving confidential information such as test questions/answers (academic dishonesty).
  • utilizing cell phones to make, distribute, or receive inappropriate, obscene, profane, lewd, or vulgar pictures or video.
  • using cell phones to hurt, harass, attack or harm other people.

The district is not responsible for lost, stolen or confiscated cell phones, computers, headphones or other technological devices brought to school, regardless of the reason behind why the device was at school.

CHILD CARE
The Mid-County YMCA offers child care services before and after school for elementary students. These services are available at each elementary school beginning at 6:30 a.m. and after school until 6 p.m. Afternoon snacks are included. For more information, contact the YMCA at (314) 962-9450. Scholarships are available for families in financial need.

Parents may also contract with private day care providers who transport children to and from school for before- and after-school care. Parents must confirm that the day care center provides transportation to and from school. Students enrolled in child care services other than the YMCA may not arrive at school before 8:30 a.m. and must be picked up from school no later than 3:35 p.m. YMCA child care services are cancelled on snow days or if school is dismissed early.

CONFERENCES
Conferences between parents/guardians and teachers are extremely valuable to the overall educational process. Parent/guardian conferences are encouraged and can be arranged throughout the school year by contacting your child’s teacher to arrange a mutually agreeable time. Scheduled conferences are held twice a year, during first and third quarter. All conference dates are posted on the district’s website, www.ritenourschools.org.

COUNSELING SERVICES / SOCIAL WORKERS
School Counseling Services
Full-time school counselors work with students, parents, teachers and administrators to enhance student success in school. Counselors assist students with academic and transitional planning, as well as college and career planning, and social and emotional issues. They may also be a member of and/or work with Student Support Teams (see Student Support Teams) and assist regular and special education staff in evaluating students for special education services. Counselors work with individual students and groups of students and also make classroom visits. Counselors assist students in creating personal plans of study. Counselors do not provide psychological and psychiatric services, however, they may assist families in obtaining such services.

College and Career Counseling
Ritenour employs one full-time college and career counselor and houses one full-time college advisor through the Missouri College Advising Corps to assist students in their college and career planning. Both the college and career counselor and college advisor meet with seniors one-on-one during the first semester and throughout the year, and begin meeting with juniors during the second semester. They also host a college night for all grade levels in September and a college kick-off event for junior families in January. Grade-level college prep sessions are also held on most early release Thursdays and are open to anyone preparing for college after high school.

Social Workers
School social workers complement the work of counselors by working with families and students on home, school and community issues that impact a student’s ability to learn and function in the school setting. Social workers work with small groups of students as well as individual students. They assist families in obtaining services from outside professional agencies and make referrals as needed. Social workers are available to assist families in times of crisis.

DISCIPLINE
The district is strongly committed to maintaining a safe, positive and orderly environment that is highly conducive to learning. Good behavior and citizenship are encouraged, acknowledged and positively reinforced. Ritenour employees are expected to model and teach appropriate behavior and expectations. They also have the authority and responsibility to maintain discipline in the classroom, in areas throughout the school, on the bus and at school-sponsored events. School discipline policies are established and consistently enforced in accordance with Ritenour policies and the Missouri Safe Schools Act. Discipline policies are included on the website and are available in school offices.

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
The Ritenour School District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Discrimination or harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law is strictly prohibited. The District’s Policy AC, Equal Opportunity, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, is included in this handbook.

DRESS CODE
Ritenour students are expected to come to school and any school activity dressed neatly in clothes appropriate for the weather and according to district policies. Parents must ensure students dress in a manner that does not affect their safety and welfare, that conforms to generally acceptable school dress, and is not disruptive or offensive. Parents are contacted if a student’s dress is considered inappropriate for the school setting. Students repeatedly violating the dress code may be subject to disciplinary action.

Inappropriate school attire also includes distracting make-up or hair color, tattoos that disrupt the educational process, and those items of any organization associated with violence, drugs, intimidation or other criminal activity. Winter coats and hats are not to be worn in the classroom. Students are expected to store these items in designated areas or their assigned lockers. (See LOCKERS)

See Ritenour Board of Education Policy JFC-R for more information.