Debra Chynoweth
Director of Food Service
315-487-4661 dchynoweth@westgenesee.org

Food Services Information

Please click the link to the right to download the monthly Lunch Menus or Free and Reduced Lunch Files. These documents are in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them.  

MySchoolBucks

TheMySchoolBucks.com website provides parents the ability to view your child's account balance.

From that site you will create your account and add money to your child's school meal account. All you need is your child's name, student ID number and school ZIP code. The student ID number is not the same as your child's PIN number that they use in the cafeteria. The number you need is found (at the secondary level) on their schedule and report card.  Please contact your child's school for a student ID number.

At the elementary level, if they need their id number, they need to get that from their school office.  

If you have any questions about these services, please feel free to contact the Food Services Department at 315-487-4661. Click on the mySchoolBucks logo above to access your mySchoolBucks account at https://www.myschoolbucks.com/.

News and Announcements....

Food Service Updates...

Updated February 12, 2013

Online Transaction Issues: MySchoolBucks is experiencing problems with its online transactions. This technical issue is a MySchoolBucks issue which we are awaiting a resolution for. Some of your online transactions have been rejected due to this problem. We encourage you to check your child(ren)s account balance(s) online to assure all of your online deposits were appropriately credited to your account.

If you are concerned about making online transactions we encourage you to make payments directly to your school by sending a check with your child. The check should be made payable to the West Genesee School Lunch Fund.  As always there is no service fee when paying by check directly at your school.  

MySchoolBucks Limit: On a separate topic, some have expressed a concern about the limit that MySchoolBucks has set on the amount you can deposit online at one time. We are working with them regarding this matter also.

As always, we will update you regarding both matters as information becomes available.  If you have any questions, the food service department can be reached at 487-4661. 

Message from School District Dietician: Revamped Menus

We are excited to roll out our new December Menu for each of our schools in the West Genesee District. We have put much effort into meeting the tough new federal nutrition standards for school meals, ensuring that meals are healthy and well balanced and provide students with the nutrition and calories they need to get them through their school day. We were fortunate to meet with a great group of students who volunteered their time to help understand the guidelines and give feedback on what they would like to see on their menus. We have tried to incorporate their suggestions as best as we could.

Now is a great time to encourage your children to try our school lunches and encourage them to try everything offered to help fuel their body and their mind!

School meals must offer students 5 components daily. These components include Milk, Fruits, Vegetables, Protein, and Grains, and they must meet strict limits on saturated fat and portion size to meet the current regulations. This year, school lunches will also meet standards requiring:

• Age-appropriate calorie limits
• -Larger servings of fruit and vegetables (students are now required to take at least one serving of fruit or vegetable, but are welcome to take more within the appropriate calorie budget)
• A good variety of vegetables will be offered to include dark green, red/orange, beans and peas, and starchy vegetables.
• Fat-free or 1%milk (flavored milk is required to be fat-free) -More whole grains (whole grain breads, pasta and brown rice)
• Less sodium

This is an ongoing process! We are always working to offer West Genesee students healthier and tastier choices and we look forward to the student’s feedback. School meals are a great value and a huge convenience for busy families.

Please call the West Genesee Food Service at 315-487-4661 with any questions you may have. For more information about the new federal nutrition standards and school meals visit www.schoolnutrition.org.

Thank you,

Julie Mellen RD, CDN. CDE West Genesee School District Dietitian

NutriKids Transition to New System

NUTRIkids (Heartland Payment Systems) recently shared the news with you that their online payment site, myNutriKids.com, will be replaced with a new product called mySchoolBucks.com. All parents were notified of this change throughout the week of October 22nd. MySchoolBucks works a little differently than the current online payment system. Some of the changes will be:

1. Synchronization software will be installed on the Food Service Managers PC so that deposits made to each student's account are automatically added to your systems;

2. Money is deposited daily and will be much easier to reconcile - you will now be able to reconcile daily or weekly rather than from Tuesday to Tuesday;

3. Meal history for accounts will be available for up to 90 days, up from the current 30 day history. After the upgrade (which will happen over the Thanksgiving Recess) parents surfing to myNUTRIkids.com will be automatically redirected to the new mySchoolBucks.com where their same user name and password will allow them to access their accounts.

Items to Keep in Mind About Transition:

• Same User Name and Password
• Online Fees will be $1.95 per transaction
• Any issues logging in call the MySchoolBucks.com Parent User Help Line Toll Free @ 855-832-5226

 

• New Federal Nutrition Standards Initiate Changes to School Lunches

  During the coming school year, expect to see important changes in school lunches nationwide.  School cafeterias are now required to meet new federal nutrition standards that aim to promote a healthy lifestyle.  These changes are planned to address the rising rate of childhood obesity as well as increased health complications in our population.  More schools are actively trying to create a healthier school environment.  It is important to encourage your child/children to choose a well-balanced school lunch.  

  The new guidelines set strict regulations for portion size yet offer a wide variety of milk, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains.  Examples of these new federal regulations include:        

  • Specific portion sizes individualized for each grade range (K-5, 6-8, 9-12);
  • Fat free or low fat milk (flavored milk will only be offered as fat free);
  • Larger servings and more variety of fruits and vegetables
  • More whole grain products such as breads, pasta, and cereals;
  • Specific calorie ranges, limited saturated fats and only naturally occurring trans fats;
  • Students must select a minimum of a 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetable on their tray.  

   

  Food Service providers, meal planners, and Food Service staff are working together to create healthier, tastier, and convenient meals for students.  If you would like more information regarding the new meal pattern requirements, please contact Debra Chynoweth, Director of Food Service at dchynoweth@westgenesee.org or (315)487-4661.  For additional information, please visit the Child Nutrition website at: www.nysed.gov/CN/CNMS/htm.