Student meals program update

The district's Sodexo Child Nutrition department has seen its meals program during the pandemic ramp up from 750 meals on March 23 to over 4,600 meals on April 7, with over 2,600 of those meals delivered on six different bus routes. Anyone of ages 1-18 is able to get free meals on weekdays. The rapid growth of the program and resulting logistics means that it has stopped posting menus to increase its flexibility to meet the rising demand. All meals will continue to feature various required components such as fruits and vegetables. The program operates two drive-throughs, one at each middle school. Breakfast is provided from 8:00-9:30 a.m. while lunch can be picked up between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The drive-throughs at each school have been refined, with the pick-up tables at Central Middle School shifted out into the parking lot to keep as many vehicles off Cherokee Avenue as possible. The Madison Middle School drive-through reverses direction beginning on April 7 to allow staff to be closer to the building in preparation for seasonal weather and to drop off products on the driver's side. See the updated flyer attached to this post. The program also delivers breakfast and lunch simultaneously on seven or more different routes which begin at Richard Kane Elementary School at 10:00 a.m. each weekday morning to run routes through each elementary school's area, concluding at each of the district's six elementary schools by noon. That program began with five bus routes, but a sixth was added on April 1 after a federal waiver was finally granted to allow the program to serve the Wayside area. For exact stop locations, contact Transportation Director Orville Burks. Please note that since Friday, April 10 is a previously scheduled school holiday, USDA regulations will not allow the program to serve meals for that day. Sodexo Child Nutrition Director Jon Beckloff and his staff follow strict safety protocols and Beckloff is known for his speedy response to feedback on the Bartlesville Child Nutrition page on Facebook, where he keeps everyone updated on the very successful program. Mr. Beckloff has commended the many Sodexo workers who are ensuring children are fed and has expressed his appreciation for the community's support and uptake of the program. A recent example of community support was when the CDC revised its guidance on face coverings, Mr. Beckloff asked for donations to quickly equip his 31 staff members. So many masks were donated that he was able to send some extras to a local church. GO BRUINS!