USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
“In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in
the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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;
2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.”
The USDA Nondiscrimination Statement is translated into 22 languages.
Student Allergies
If your student has food allergies, please contact the school office even if you do not plan to have your child eat school provided meals. PSJSTEM can make meal accommodations for students with food allergies; ask your child’s health care provider to complete this form: MEDICAL SPECIAL DIET ORDER, and submit it to the school office.
Nutrition and Wellness Policy
The community at Pope St. John XXIII STEM Academy believes that God is in all things, therefore, the school supports healthy development of the whole person; body, mind, and spirit. PSJSTEM utilizes Washington State health, nutrition and physical education standards to guide its programs. The health and physical fitness goals at PSJSTEM highlight importance of physical health and a holistic approach to education:
- Students will acquire the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to achieve and maintain outstanding physical health and lifelong fitness.
- Pope St. John XXIII STEM Academy will be committed to the development of the whole person; body, mind and spirit.
- Pope St. John XXIII will provide ongoing physical education including assessments, plans, and promotion of student and staff wellness.
- PSJSTEM’s master calendar will include designated time for three recesses, preferably outdoors, during which students will be encouraged to engage in physical activity.
- Opportunities to participate in after-school sports activities such as basketball, cross country, volleyball and track will be promoted and supported by the school.
The School Wellness Policy will be reviewed and updated annually in July. Designated authorities who approve/review/monitor the Nutrition and Wellness Policy:
Kitchen Manager, Administrative Assistant & Principal
Food Safety/Food Security
The food offered to students in school must not only be nutritious, but must also comply with state and local food safety and sanitation regulations. The quality of the food is determined by both the food’s nutrient value and by the standards by which it was prepared.
- All foods made available on campus will comply with the state and local food safety and sanitation regulations. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans and guidelines shall be implemented in order to avoid food illness in schools.
- For the safety and security of the food and facility, access to the food service operations is limited to Child Nutrition staff and personnel authorized by the principal.
- All food brought to school by students, parents, or community members to feed more than one child must be prepared, stored, and transported under hygienic conditions and safe to consume.
- The final rule requires all local educational agencies that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to meet expanded local school wellness policy requirements consistent with the requirements set for in section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids act of 2010. The final rule requires each local educational agency to establish minimum content requirements for the local school wellness policies, ensure stakeholder participation in the development and updates of such policies, and periodically assess and disclose to the schools’ compliance with the local school wellness policies. These regulations are expected to result in local school wellness policies that strengthen the students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn. In addition, these regulations will increase transparency for the community with regard to school wellness policies and contribute to integrity in the school nutrition program.
Designated authorities who approve/review/monitor the National School Lunch Program (NSLP):
Kitchen Manager
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
The Free/Reduced Lunch Application can be found here: https://psjstem.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-25FreeandReducedPriceApplication-Private-1.pdf