What is a school lunch?
A school lunch is also called a Type A lunch and this definition is established by the USDA. A school lunch is comprised of 5 components that must be offered daily: meat/meat alternate (protein), grains/breads, fruits, vegetables, and milk. A student may take all 5 components but must take a minimum of 3 to count as a student lunch. It is our goal to encourage students to take all 5, but we are obligated to make sure they take at least 3 components.
Lunch Charges
The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District has a “no charge” policy, which means that students will not be allowed to charge à la carte Items if they do not have the money, or do not have an adequate balance in their lunch account.
All CH-UH City School District students will receive free breakfast and lunch each day of the 2021-2022 through 2023-2024 school years. Every student, regardless of family income level, in every district school building will receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge each day. CH-UH is able to provide this service, cost-free to the district, through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
“Milk Only” Policy
“Milk only” is considered an à la carte item and is available for purchase. Middle school and high school students must pay for this item with cash, check, or a pre-paid balance on their Infinite Campus account. However, all elementary school students must have a pre-paid or positive balance on their Infinite Campus account prior to purchase. No credit or cash will be allowed for "milk only" purchases at any elementary school.
Food Allergies
Students with a milk allergy must provide a statement from their doctor. The statement needs to be given to the school nurse or your child’s cafeteria manager. Students with severe food allergies who need dietary changes from the traditional school lunch, need to have their family doctor diagnose that allergy as a disability and submit a prescription for foods to be omitted or substituted and what items to replace them with. The prescription should be given to the school nurse or to your school office.
Milk Substitute
The USDA’s liquid milk/dairy intolerance policy states that nutrition services do not need to provide a substitution for liquid milk. If your child is lactose intolerant, he or she may decline the offered liquid milk as part of the plate meal. Each school building does have drinkable water readily available.
Board of Education Wellness Policy
The Board recognizes that good nutrition and regular physical activity affect the health and well-being of the District's students. Furthermore, research suggests that there is a positive correlation between a student's health and well-being and his/her ability to learn. Moreover, schools can play an important role in the developmental process by which students establish their health and nutrition habits by providing nutritious meals and snacks through the schools' meal programs, by supporting the development of good eating habits, and by promoting increased physical activity both in and out of school.
If you have questions or concerns about the Wellness Policy, please contact Anjali Rosedale at 216-320-2007 or
[email protected].