Programs & Policies

      Breakfast in the Classroom

      • How Does a Grab-n-Go Breakfast Work?

        Participating schools will have individually wrapped breakfast items available in the cafeteria.  The students will come through the cafeteria lines, place the breakfast items of their choice in a bag, and proceed to the register for check-out.  Once they are through the cafeteria line, the students will take their bagged breakfast to their classroom to eat, rather than sitting at the cafeteria tables. By offering a Grab-n-Go breakfast program, we believe our students will benefit from a nutritious breakfast that will fuel them to succeed in the classroom.  If you have any questions about the Grab-n-Go breakfast program, please free to stop by the cafeteria. 
         

        Why Breakfast in the Classroom?

        Research has shown that a nutritious, well-balanced breakfast improves student performance.  According to current literature, breakfast has a positive influence on student performance in the following ways:
        • Increased cognitive function and school performance 
        • Increased attention span
        • Decreased discipline problems, absenteeism and tardiness
         
        For more information about the benefits of Breakfast in the Classroom, please view "Talking Points for Breakfast in the Classroom" presentation.

      Halal Meals

      • In the winter of 2023, Christina School District announced additional menu items that include halal-certified and halal-suitable meal options for students at the following schools: Gallaher Elementary, Marshall Elementary, Smith Elementary, Kirk Middle School, Middle School Honors Academy at CHS, and Christiana High School.

        For students who attend the schools mentioned above, a separate halal menu will be available so that students and parents know exactly what meal options are available every month. 

        Halal is Arabic for permissible. For meat to be considered Halal, the animal from which the meat is sourced must have been prepared and handled according to Islamic dietary guidelines.

        If you have any questions, please contact our Child Nutrition Services department at childnutrtion@christina.k12.de.us or (302) 454-2400, ext. 43200.

      Community Eligibility Provision

      • All schools in the Christina School District will receive free meals as part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for 2024-2025 school year.
         
         
        The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas. CEP allows the nation’s highest poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. 
         
        For more information, please contact us at Child Nutrition Services at 302-454-2400, ext. 43205.
         

      USDA Meal Patterns

      • Healthy Changes in Our School Cafeterias Featuring MyPlate!
         
        Our cafeterias are meeting tough federal nutrition standards for school meals, ensuring that meals are healthy and well-balanced and provide students all the nutrition they need to succeed at school. 
         
        School meals offer students milk, fruits and vegetables, proteins and grains, and they must meet strict limits on sodium, saturated fat and portion size.  Since the 2012-2013 school year, Christina School District school lunches have exceeded the following standards:
        • Age-appropriate calorie limits
        • Larger servings of vegetables and fruits (students must take at least one serving of produce)
        • A wider variety of vegetables, including dark green, red/orange vegetables and legumes
        • More whole grains
        • And less sodium
        Child Nutrition Services is always working to offer Christina School District students healthier and tastier choices.
         
         

      Nondiscrimination Statement

      • 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: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, 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.

      Wellness Policy

      • Our nation's schools are in a position to play a critical role in promoting student health, preventing childhood obesity, and combating problems associated with poor nutrition, inadequate mental health care and physical inactivity. Healthy schools that support good nutrition, physical activity and implement a coordinated school health model are conducive to a learning environment that produces healthier students.

        Food In The Classroom

        Food should not be used as a reward or punishment for classroom or school activities unless the reward is an activity that promotes a positive nutrition message (ie., guest chef, field trip to a farm or farmers market, etc.)

        Fundraisers

        School fundraisers should promote positive health habits such as the sale of non-food and nutritious food items as well as fund raising to support physical activities. Sale of fundraising foods is not allowed during the course of the school day.

        Classroom Celebrations

        In an effort to promote a healthier school environment we ask that you follow these recommendations for all classroom parties. A non-food item such as a book is strongly encouraged. If foods will be offered a healthy nut free food choice such as pretzels, fresh fruit, or fresh vegetables should accompany a dessert in all classroom celebrations. Water and 100% fruit juice are recommended beverages. Candy and soda are not permitted.

        Committee Membership

        If you are interested in joining the district wellness committee please contact Child Nutrition Services at 302-454-2400 x43200 or childnutrition@christina.k12.de.us​​​​​​​.

        Resources