North Penn Home and School Coordinating Council, Inc. Minutes
January 19th, 2011
The main objective of CC is to provide a forum for parents of the North Penn School District to exchange ideas and
to promote an ongoing relationship between the schools, administration, board and community.
Location: Bridle Path Elementary School
Member Organizations: A.M. Kulp; Bridle Path; General Nash; Gwynedd Square; Gwyn-Nor; Hatfield; Inglewood;
Knapp; Montgomery; North Wales; Oak Park; Walton Farm; York Avenue; Pennbrook; Penndale; Pennfield; North
Penn HS; NP Assoc. for Gifted Education; NP Athletic Alumni Assoc.; NP Booster Club; NPHS JROTC Squires; NP
Music Aides; NP Special Education Council; Students With Aspiring and Achievable Goals; Wrestling Parents.
Member Organizations represented: Bridle Path; General Nash; Gwynedd Square; Gwyn-Nor; Hatfield;
Inglewood; Knapp; Montgomery; North Wales; York Avenue; Pennbrook; Penndale; Pennfield; North Penn HS; NP
Special Education Council; Students With Aspiring and Achievable Goals.
Handouts: January NPSD E-Matters; information copies from Middle School HP/Honors parent meetings;
announcement of 1/26/2011 NPSD financial outlook presentation at NPHS.
Coordinating Council November Guest Speaker: Pamela Gallagher, Coordinator of School Nutrition
Services
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Personal background: Started at NPSD on October 1 after working 4 years in Allentown and 15 years in
Philadelphia. Obtained Masters in Business in addition to dietary science degree.
National School Lunch program was enacted during World War II to address the large number of
malnourished military inductees. By 2010, the situation reversed itself. The largest reason for an
individual to be disqualified from military service is being overweight. One-third of U.S. children (25
million) are now considered obese.
Competitive Foods in PA Schools was enacted during the Rendell administration.
o Voluntary program
o District can be selective in the schools that participate. For example, NPHS was not included.
Removal of the traditional “Cookie Corner” in the cafeteria would cause a revolt by the students.
Attempts to find healthy, low sugar cookies with same taste as current cookies offered have
been unsuccessful to date.
Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 was signed by President Obama on January 14. This was the first time
school nutrition guidelines had been addressed at the national level in 15 years. New federal guidelines
affect 32 million children who are served school lunches (7,500 in North Penn). North Penn lunches met
all current guidelines, but the goal is to do better by working with manufacturers and vendors to offer
students the best and healthiest lunch possible for the $2.42 of each lunch that is spent on the food.
o Reduced starches (pasta and potatoes)
 Max sticks and pasta meal was extremely high in carbohydrates. Pasta was removed,
and a dark green vegetable was added.
 Pasta now appears on menu in new pasta with meatballs meal.
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Reduced sodium
 The current average school lunch contains 1600 mg sodium due to the use of processed
food.
 Over the next 10 years, the average amount of sodium allowed in a school lunch will be
decreased to 740 mg in a high school lunch, 710 mg in a middle school lunch and 640 mg
in an elementary school lunch.
o Reduced calories
 The new average maximum calories for lunch meals will be decreased to 800 calories for
a high school lunch, 700 calories for a middle school lunch and 650 calories for an
elementary school (K-5) lunch.
o Unflavored milk must be no more than 1% fat, and flavored milk (chocolate and strawberry at
NP) must be fat-free.
o Increased servings of fruit and vegetables
 3 raw vegetables (carrots, celery and broccoli) and 1 cooked vegetable will be available
at each lunch. (Broccoli florets will be offered beginning in February.)
 3 fruits at each lunch.
 Leafy green and orange vegetables (squash) are being added to the menus.
o Increase use of whole grains
 All bread products served in NPSD are now whole grain.
o Decrease trans fats in menu
 The guidelines do not mandate any specific targets for fats.
Parent support
o Survey at Montgomery Elementary in October found that 35% of parents were concerned about
the nutrition of the current school lunch.
New menus will be finalized by the end of the year. Eventual goal is to make all menus the same across
the district. Time will be needed to get children accustomed to the new menu items.
o Meatloaf was popular at elementary schools but not at the upper levels.
o Stuffed shells were a hit with the kids.
o Higher quality and all-white meat tempura chicken nuggets replaced previous chicken nuggets.
Domino’s pizza is a difficult issue.
o It is a challenge to offer Domino’s pizza while introducing a healthier menu at the same time.
o Major cost to budget.
o Department recognized that suddenly ending Domino’s pizza days would have a detrimental
impact on a current district business partner.
o Domino’s pizza will only be offered twice per month for the remainder of the year.
o The contract for an external pizza supplier will be rebid next year. There is no guarantee that the
winning supplier will be Domino’s.
Involvement of students with menu
o Nutrition Services works with children to improve menu. Many children write to the office to
address concerns with food.
o Food items are tested in family consumer science classes at the 3 middle schools and the high
school.
Questions and discussion
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Pricing for a second serving of main entrée: Today’s lunch (chicken nuggets) was enjoyed by the
student, but the 5-piece serving left the student hungry. Student must pay for an entire second
lunch to get a second serving.
 On Domino’s pizza days, a second piece of pizza could be added for an additional $0.95.
This was advertised in the cafeterias as the “super lunch”. Many children would
purchase the “super lunch” of two slices. Each slice of Domino’s pizza actually cost the
district $0.85.
 A student could buy a second serving of the featured main entrée on any lunch day. The
price of the second entrée varied and did not necessarily correspond to the actual cost
of the item.
 Effective this January, a student can purchase a second serving of any entrée for an
additional $1.25. (Total cost for any basic school lunch + second serving of main entrée
would be $3.85 on any day.) This averaged the cost of a second serving of any featured
entrée into one, simple price.
 Will investigate parent’s complaint that Pennbrook cafeteria staff told her child today
that a second serving would cost $2.00.
Communication with families: How will the department communicate changes in the future?
Communication of December changes to the parents was poor?
 Apology for poor communication. Lesson was learned and will not be repeated.
 Background is from school districts with poor families who were simply appreciative
that their children were receiving some kind of lunch during the school day.
 Working with community relations to improve communications.
 Look for an update with the new food price list in the February 1 E-Matters.
 School Nutrition Services webpage has been moved under Central Office tab on
npenn.org and will be kept updated.
Size of servings: Middle school students complain that the servings are not large enough.
 Each lunch includes 5 components: entrée, vegetable, fruit, roll, raw vegetable with
dressing.
 A student who takes and eats the entire lunch should not be hungry.
 70% of students between 13 and 18 do not eat breakfast. If children would eat a good
breakfast in the morning, they would not be so hungry.
Do the children really understand what they must take from the cafeteria line? Waste in
elementary school cafeterias, including the disposal of unopened milk cartons, is amazing.
 Cafeteria staff is trained to guide children as they go through the line. Children are
questioned if they take extra items that will be charged as ala carte items.
Perhaps it is the kids who need continued training. Should they receive continued reminders
throughout the year on what counts as a lunch and what the options are?
 Parents need to use menus to help their children decide what will be purchased for
lunch that day.
 Students get plenty of choices each day.
 Effective in February, no ala carte menu item will cost more than $0.75.
Basic signs to help guide students on options have been suggested for years. Can the cafeterias
display sample trays of that day’s lunch menu? Should the food be grouped by food groups?
 Too many options available to display every combination.
 Grouping of foods is difficult. On a cafeteria line hot and cold foods are separated.
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ESL students and lunch: Not all parents understand nutrition. ESL population is also hampered.
Many ESL students buy pizza at every lunch because they do not eat American food. How can we
encourage ESL students to try other items?
 Veggie burger is part of main entrée.
Main entrée alternatives: Many parents may think alternates, such as the veggie burger, cost
extra. Can we communicate this better on the menus?
 Will investigate
Whole wheat bread products: Whole wheat bread products were suddenly introduced about 3
years ago and pulled after one month. Children would not eat them, because they were terrible.
Bid went to the lowest bidder and that explained the quality of the products.
 Previous whole wheat rolls were too dark and grainy. All current bread products were
taste-tested and are much higher quality.
Mandating healthy lunch does not go far enough: Lunch is one meal in the child’s day. Good
nutrition is a lifestyle change. More nutrition education needs to be included to make this
effective. Just because the cafeteria serves a healthy lunch does not mean the child will
automatically begin to eat healthy outside of school. Mandating change is not making change.
Will nutrition education be included?
 Nutrition education is not mandated by federal or state but is included at every grade
level at North Penn as part of the health curriculum.
 Nutrition education should be mandatory and have its own specific funding.
North Wales Student Health Council
 Started with a $1,000 grant.
 Each year features 9 free events incorporating nutrition and physical fitness
 1st grade lunch introduces healthy eating. Parents can eat lunch with their
children for 3 days. Foods are grouped by food group.
 Children are very responsive.
Recess before lunch initiative has been advocated by First Lady Michelle Obama.
 Kids rush eating their lunch to get to recess.
 By exercising first, students build appetite. Students then take their time to eat.
 Good Morning America piece aired this week on the benefits of school recess. This will
be viewed by all building principals.
Longer recesses: Teachers notice that recesses decrease behavioral issues. Students are more
settled for learning. Grant money is available to district if 60 minutes of recess is provided each
day.
 No Child Left Behind focused on maximizing instructional time. Recess must compete.
Outside recess cancelled when snow not cleared: Why are the playground blacktops not
cleared of snow or ice by district employees when they clear adjacent sidewalks and lots?
Employees say they are told not to clear play areas. We can have snow one day and the next day
can be sunny and 45 degrees but the kids cannot go outside for recess.
Early lunches: How can anyone expect a student to be hungry at lunch scheduled for 10:25 am?
 Scheduling lunch period is a challenge.
Breakfast
 Removed sugary cereals, funnel cake, chocolate donuts from breakfast menus.
 Cereals are all reduced sugar
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New nacho supreme entrée: Children say it tastes terrible and looks gross. Parent agrees. What
happened?
 Nacho supreme entrée includes a 1-ounce bag of baked scoops, taco meat, lettuce,
tomato and shredded cheese. Sour cream and taco sauce are offered as condiments.
 Previous version did not even come close to meeting healthy guidelines. Staff resisted
removal of nacho supreme entrée from menu. This was the best we could do to keep a
healthier version on menu.
 Entrée will be reviewed. Should the entrée be renamed and recreated as a taco salad?
Soup: Can soups be offered as entrees?
 Soup is offered once per week.
Salads: Can salad bars be added? High school once had a deli bar.
 High school does not have a salad bar.
 A staff-served salad bar could be possible at middle and high schools.
Special needs children: NP does great job meeting specific diets and preferences of the special
needs children. Many special education schools do not offer the same quality food. Is it possible
for students to eat their lunch in the itinerant support room?
 Every effort must be made to give students the best opportunity to enjoy a healthy
lunch.
 Personal experience in success and advantages of serving meals (breakfast) in
classroom.
Menu distribution: Are hard copies still sent home with students?
 Lunch menu copies are provided to all buildings.
 Technical problem last month may have delayed distribution.
 Menus will be posted by the 15th day of the previous month.
Juices: What about serving apple and orange juice?
 Juice cut back at lunch due to high amount of sugar.
 Increased juices to 3 times per week in answer to negative feedback from children.
Out of date milk: Children reported receiving out-of-date milk cartons. When they approached
cafeteria staff, the children were told to smell the milk to see if it was good to drink.
 District does not serve any milk or any other item past expiration date.
Milk options and allergies: What about children who cannot drink lactaid milk alternative due to
allergies? Previously, they could choose juice, but that is no longer a daily drink option.
 Children can purchase a water bottle for $0.50.
 Medical form allows district to accommodate children with special dietary needs.
 If a disability prevents the child from eating a specific food, the doctor lists
acceptable alternatives, and the cafeteria must make available.
 Parent can fill out the form if the issue is food intolerance or religious reasons.
Food in schools outside school lunch program
 Covered by Chapter 12 of PA state school code. Chapter 12 includes curriculum,
physical activity, physical education and nutrition.
 Proposal to give US Department of Agriculture authority to establish standards to
control all food within a school.
Students complain about hamburgers served at high school.
 Hamburgers are purchased from Tyson, the only wholesale manufacturer to make their
hamburgers from fresh beef.
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Is there a way to offer free water in the cafeterias? Water is the healthiest beverage a child can
drink, but we charge for water bottles. Can students, at least at older grades, have the option of
getting a cup of ice to fill? Elementary students bring bottled water, but middle and high school
do not allow students to carry water bottles in the building. Many students are very thirsty when
they get home because they do not drink enough during the day.
 The new guidelines indicate that at some point in the future water must be made
available to children for free.
o Are students required to have a lunch period? Many high school students schedule an extra
class rather than take lunch.
 No federal or state regulation requires a student to take a lunch period.
o Students who do not have money in their account. There have been instances in the past when
cafeteria staff has ordered students who do not have money in their account to dispose the
purchased lunch in the trash. New transfer students eligible for free or reduced lunch often are
not able to purchase lunch while their paperwork is processed. This is embarrassing and
wasteful.
 District is currently developing a new policy.
 As of October 1, 2010, no elementary student is ever refused a lunch. Middle school
and high school principals handle the similar issues on a case by case basis.
 If a student builds an outstanding balance, the balance notification letter now sent
home includes the application form for the reduced lunch program to make
parent/guardian aware of options to get financial assistance.
 School Nutrition Services can obtain reduced lunch program information over the phone
from the student’s previous school district on the day of the transfer. There is no
reason for a wait period.
Conclusion: North Penn School Nutrition Services strives daily to provide your children with an enjoyable,
healthy lunch that exceeds guidelines. School lunches are healthier than any lunch a parent can pack.
Coordinating Council Business Meeting
Welcome – President Kathy Stella
Meeting items
1. Approval of Minutes –
 Minutes of November 2010 meeting were approved.
 Minutes can be found on www.npenn.org under For Families/Coordinating Council/CC
Meeting Minutes.
2. Treasurer’s Report – Becky Ellstrom, Treasurer
 Current balance – $2775.57
 Deposits – dues
3. Correspondence – Wendy Beatty-Burg, Corresponding Secretary
 SWAAG received $1000 grant from Wachovia.
4. Old Business
 Copying issue will be addressed at 1/31 presidents’ meeting with Dr. Dietrich
NPCC minutes 1-19-2011 Final.doc
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5. New Business
 The North Penn High School Air Force Junior ROTC Squires is now an official member of
Coordinating Council.
 Does any member organization give the Extended Care Program money from budget? No
 H&S organizations have been asked to purchase items for Olweus Bullying Program.
o Principals are making requests to H&S organizations to pay for speakers, Tshirts, etc. to be used as part of Olweus activities.
o Gwynedd Square principal requested $2,000 from H&S for T-shirts.
o Children quickly grow out of t-shirts. What about purchasing buttons?
o Why is district not fully funding expenses of the Olweus program?
 Collapse of Middle School High Performance and Honors levels into one level
o Curriculum is same for HP and Honors classes; however the classes are taught
differently. HP classes can go deeper. Expectations are higher.
o The pre-AP program for 9th grade students was rejected about 3 years ago, and
district instead developed Honors and HP levels.
o Students enrolled in Honors courses may feel not smart enough to be in HP
level.
o Parents must remember that math placement in 7th grade sets the stage for the
availability of AP science courses. Pre-requisite requirements may prevent
student from taking certain courses.
6. Level Reports –
 North Penn Ice Hockey
o Hockey team is sponsoring a seminar on head injuries at North Penn High School
on 2/2 at 7 pm. Dr. Mathew Grady (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) will
discuss post-impact testing. Presentations will also be made by Leanne
Edwards, NP athletic trainer, and Dr. Peter Wang, a local orthopedist. The
meeting is open to all.
 Children aged 11-15 years are most susceptible to brain damage from
head injuries.
 Teachers are not educated in the characteristics of recovery from head
trauma.
 A neuropsychological exam should be requested from district to identify
deficits.
o “Night with the Knights” at Hatfield Ice on Friday, 2/4
 6:30 pm pizza party followed by 7:20 pm game vs. C.B. West
 Elementary student and accompanying parent cost $10 (includes pizza,
drink and game admission). Each additional person costs $4.
 Meet NP players and coaches before game
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A free seminar on the challenges students face during the transition to college will be
offered by the North Penn Special Education Council on April 2 at Pennbrook Middle
School. Students find themselves moving from a 7-hour school day to a 3-hour school
day and often have issues handling free time along with study time.
7. Ideas, Concerns, Comments and Announcements
 Ask if district employees can clear snow from black top play areas at elementary schools
to allow outdoor recess.
 Consider possible speakers for the February Coordinating Council meeting. Toni Butz is
scheduled to discuss Keystone Exams but offered to step aside since the district has no
new information.
o North Montco Technical Center speaker could discuss opportunities for district
students and services available to H&S organizations (Montgomery H&S used
NMTC to make cookies and to provide hair braiding at an events)
o Athletic department: Move to increase number of 9th graders allowed on varsity
sports team from 2 to 4 has been controversial.
o NPTV: could arrange a tour of studios next year.
 Do all schools have clickers? North Wales Elementary has not received clickers.
8. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting of Coordinating Council will be held at 7 p.m., on February 16, 2010, at Oak Park
Elementary School. Toni Butz, NPSD Manager of Curriculum, is scheduled to speak at this time.
Please forward to Wendy Beatty-Burg (beattyburg@aol.com), Corresponding Secretary, any business
items or questions your organization would like to have placed on the meeting agenda.
Respectfully submitted,
Donald Mackowiak
Recording Secretary
NPCC minutes 1-19-2011 Final.doc