Federal regulations require schools and institutions to serve meals at no extra charge to those children whose disability restricts their diet in such a way that they cannot fully participate in the food service program without some modification to the foods offered on the scheduled menu. Parents must request the special meals from the school and provide the school with medical certification from a medical doctor. This medical certification must contain the following:

• Verification that special meals are needed due to the student's disability.
• Recommendation/prescription for alternate foods and forms of food needed to meet the student's special dietary needs.

Allergies

Though the School Lunch Department is not required to offer supplemental foods or monitor students' diets, we like to make every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of your child. If your child has a severe food allergy, please send the following information to your building's nurse.

• Parent Letter requesting special meals with certification from a Medical Authority stating the foods that are potentially dangerous or life-threatening.
• Lactose Intolerance: If your child is lactose intolerant, a signed medical note from your physician (this is a USDA requirement) must be on file in order for an alternative drink choice to be offered in place of milk.
• We currently offer Lactaid at all schools!

Special Note: Our department is unable to cook or reheat any meals sent from home due to cross-contamination concerns and Health Department regulations.

Nondiscrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.

"In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online

at: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. Mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. Fax:

(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. Email:

program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.