Area Back to School 2014

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August 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL

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A message from Lincoln-McKinley Primary 5 ways to save money Dear parents/guardians of LincolnMcKinley Primary School: On behalf of the Lincoln-McKinley Primary teachers and staff, I would like to welcome you and let you know that we are anxiously looking forward to an exciting and successful 2014-2015 school year. The first day of school is Wednesday, Aug, 27, 2014. School begins at 8:20 a.m. and is dismissed at 2:45 p.m. Student classroom/teacher placement letters will be mailed Aug. 14. If you have not received this information by Wednesday, Aug, 20, please call the Lincoln-McKinley

Primary School at 265-9619. The school supply lists for all second- and third-grade classrooms can be found online at the Havre Public Schools’ website: www. havre.k12.mt.us under the “our schools” tab or at local stores. Transportation information will be sent out in the mail. Please be sure to review this information and complete all necessary paperwork. If you have any questions regarding transportation please contact the transportation department at 265-9032. Transportation information is also available

on our school website: www.havre.k12.mt.us under the “our district” tab. Our parent information sessions will be held Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014. There will be two sessions. The first will be held 11:30 a.m. to noon., and the second session from noon to 12:30 p.m. Children do not need to accompany parents to these sessions. Please join us for the session that is most convenient for you. This is an important event and an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teacher. This informational session will help you understand the teacher’s goals, curricu-

lum and classroom procedures to better assist your child throughout the school year. Please plan to attend. I look forward to meeting and working with you and your child this school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Lincoln-McKinley Primary School at 265-9619. Enjoy the remainder of your vacation. Sincerely, Karla Geda, Principal, Lincoln-McKinley Primary School

Immunizations required to attend school Pam Burke community@havredailynews.com Students are required by state law to be fully vaccinated before starting school. Kim Larson, program assistant and vaccine manager at Hill County Health Department, said that students in need of any shots should get in to their physician or a public health department as soon as possible. If it’s just one shot needed, the student can be ready before school starts. However, if the student for some reason, such as lost records or a change in status from immunization exemption, needs all or many immunizations, the vaccines should be started, but a conditional enrollment will have to be filed with the school. This form provides a detailed schedule of when each immunization will be administered. With waiting periods between boosters and other rounds of vaccinations, getting the rounds of all required vaccinations can take as long as nine months, she said. Doctors’ offices often run specials on immunizations this time of year. For anyone having trouble paying for immunizations, the county offers a fee scale based on ability to pay, said Larson. And Desiree Norden at Bullhook Community Health Center said they are doing the same. Individual doctors' offices will have to be contacted for appointments, but Larson said Hill County Health Department keeps Tuesdays open for performing vaccines, and Norden said Bullhook clinic has open scheduling so can take appointments or drop-ins Monday through Friday each week. In Blaine County, the health department provides vaccinations by appointment only by calling 357-2345. Chouteau County public health website says the office has walk-in vaccination clinics 3 to 5 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month. Appointments are encouraged by calling 622-3771. And Liberty County public health is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and appointments can be made by calling 759-5517.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services website outlines required immunizations for students as:

Immunizations needed for kindergarten entry Ad m i n i s t ra t i ve Ru l e s o f M o n ta n a 37.114.705 • 3 doses of Polio (IPV) and 1 dose of Polio must be given after the fourth birthday • 4 doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTP/DT/DtaP/Td) and 1 dose must be given after the fourth birthday • 1 dose of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) given on or after the first birthday and a second dose prior to entry into kindergarten

Required immunizations for seventh-grade entry Ad m i n i s t ra t i ve Ru l e s o f M o n ta n a 37.114.705 • 1 dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Td or Tdap) booster prior to seventh-grade entry. A dose of Tdap is preferred to provide protection against whooping cough, also known as pertussis. Tdap is not a requirement. • 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) The state of Montana allows a four-day grace period in schools. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices counts as valid any vaccine doses given up to four days before the minimum age, but any given five days or more days before will have to be repeated. In other words, if a vaccine is to be given on or after the first birthday, it can be administered four days before the child’s first birthday, but no earlier. M o n ta n a C o d e A n n o ta t e d 2 0 - 5 - 4 0 3 requires that any student entering school, at any grade level, must have all immunizations required before entering classes. The school must have on file a completed HES-101 form. This form can be filled out and updated by a school official when the form has

attached to it a copy of the student’s immunization record. If, on the other hand, a physician or a public health official fills out the form, additional documentation is not needed.

What is adequate documentation? DPHHS website says documentation is: • A record from any local health department in the U.S. that is signed by the local health officer or nurse; • A certificate signed by a local health officer or nurse; • Any immunization record if the information has been recorded and signed or stamped by a physician, physician’s designee, local health office, or that officer’s designee; • A form approved by the U.S. federal government; • Any state’s official parent-maintained immunization record; • International certificates of vaccination approved by the World Health Organization. Immunization record must have: • Student’s legal name; • Student's date of birth; • Student’s gender; • The month, day and year of each vaccine that was administered. Students without immunization documentation, who have been fully immunized, can have a physician request immunity testing. DPHHS says that to qualify as adequate documentation, the tests have to show serological evidence of immunity and must be performed by a CLIA approved lab. A copy of the test results must be attached to the Certificate of Immunization Form HES101.

already been initiated, with the student receiving, at minimum, one dose of each of the vaccines normally required before entering kindergarten; • The conditional attendance form prescribed by the department must be used and must be retained in the student’s school record. If the student has not gotten vaccines on the date they are due as stated on the conditional form, the student must be vaccinated or must qualify for and claim an exemption from the immunizations not received. Montana law requires any student not meeting these requirements to be taken out of school.

Medical exemption If for some reason a student cannot be immunized for medical reasons, a written and signed statement from a physician outlining the medical reasons for the exemption will allow a student to attend school without being up-to-date on vaccinations. The letter must accompany form HES 101A, Medical Exemption Statement. This form can be found online at http://www.immunization. mt.gov, click on School Resources.

Religious exemption If a student’s parent or guardian objects to the immunizations on religious grounds, a signed written statement accompanying a Religious Exemption Form HES-113 can be submitted for the student’s school records. This letter needs to be notarized annually. This form can be found online at http:// www.immunization.mt.gov, click on School Resources.

Conditional enrollment

Exception to the exemptions

If a student is not up-to-date on vaccinations, or the student’s immunization records have been lost, the state does allow for conditional enrollment. The requirements are: • A physician or local health department must indicate on the conditional form that immunization of the prospective student has

The DPHHS website says that in the event of an outbreak of one of the vaccinepreventable diseases, students with exemptions may be excluded from school by the local health officer or the state health department until satisfied that the student no longer risks contracting or transmitting that disease.

when school starts

ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer Students may not be thrilled about their summer break drawing to a close, but retailers couldn't be happier. That's because back-to-school shopping traditionally brings in a windfall that's second only to the December holiday season. The average family with kids in kindergarten through 12th grade will spend $669.28 on clothes, electronics and other schoolrelated needs this back-to-school season, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. That amounts to a 5 percent increase from last year. To help gin up sales, many stores roll out discounts and some states even get in on the act, offering sales tax holidays for clothing, backpacks, even computers. Hit the stores without a plan and you could end up overspending. "It's an important time to keep a handle on your finances because in the frenzy to get organized it's easy to make bad purchase decisions," said Jack Gillis, director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America. Here are five ways to make sure your back-to-school shopping spree stays doesn't empty your wallet:

1. Make a budget You know what you need, but do you know how much you can afford? This is the key to keeping an annual shopping trip from swelling into a full-on spree. Establish a budget that lays out how much you plan to spend on school supplies, clothing, shoes and other immediate needs. Then stick to it. A good strategy is to begin with what you needed last year. Odds are that won't change too much from one year to the next. Items like pens, pencils and notebooks tend to be priced competitively. But resist splurging on fancy organizers, desk sets and other items you often can do without.

2. Shop on tax holidays More than a dozen states are giving shoppers a break from paying the state sales tax on certain purchases. The sales tax holidays usually last around three days. The savings can run anywhere from 3 percent to about 7 percent. In most cases, they apply to clothing and footwear, though typically states restrict the benefit to items that cost $100 or less. Some states also include school supplies and bigticket items, such as computers. "All of America loves a sale and this is a sale paid for by government," said Verenda

Smith, deputy director of the Federation of Tax Administrators, an association for state tax administrators. However, you could end up paying local sales taxes, if any. And if you're buying online, the sales tax holidays apply only if the address where the item will be shipped is located in a state offering the sales tax break, Smith said. A list of states offering sales tax holidays this year and links to each state website with details on timing and what kind of purchases qualify can be found at http://taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales_holiday.html.

3. Use credit wisely It can be tempting to sign up for a store credit card. Many often entice customers with built-in savings on store purchases and other perks. But think it through, especially if you anticipate not being able to pay down the balance before you start racking up monthly interest charges. "Unless you're going to be paying that bill off right away, that great bargain will be quickly eroded by 15-to-19 percent interest rates," said Gillis.

4. Shop around One of the best ways to save money is to comparison shop. This is particularly true for notebooks and other office supplies, as well as clothing. It may take a little more of a time commitment, and it may mean ordering items online, so be sure that your savings are worthwhile after you factor in shipping costs. One way to see if you're getting the best deal is to use price comparison smartphone apps such as PriceGrabber and RedLaser. Users scan the bar code on a product and the apps display a list of stores, if any, where the item is available and at what price. Another way to get more for your backto-school money is shopping online at sites like Goodshop.com, which offers coupons good at more than 5,000 stores that then donate up to 20 percent of your purchase to a school or other cause.

5. Consider waiting

Sure, the stores for-sale signs scream deals to be had. But what's the harm in waiting a few weeks? You may not get the same selection, but bargains can be found after the school year begins and stores move to clear out shelves to make space for the next batch of seasonal items.

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Tips on helping youngsters with asthma Preparing kids to start school can be a challenge — even more so if your child h a s a s t h m a . T h e A m e r i c a n Lu n g Association's Back-to-School with Asthma Checklist offers easy-to-follow steps to h e l p yo u c h i l d s ta r t t h e s c h o o l ye a r healthy, confident and ready to learn. Nationwide, 9.3 percent of children under age 18 live with asthma. Step 1 – Learn about Asthma The American Lung Association has many free resources to help children and their guardians learn how to keep asthma well controlled — the key to helping your child stay healthy and active. • Visit www.lung.org/asthma to learn about asthma and asthma management. Be sure to watch the short animation to learn what happens in the airways during an asthma episode. • Asthma Basics is a 50-minute online educational tool for people living with asthma or anyone who provides care for someone living with asthma. It teaches how to recognize and manage asthma symptoms, how to identify and reduce triggers, how to create an asthma management plan and how to respond to a breathing emergency. • If you have a child with asthma, Lungtropolis is the website to visit together.

You'll find action-packed games designed to help kids control their asthma, plus oregwuadvice for adults. Step 2 – Talk to the school nurse A visit or phone call to the school nurse should be your next step. • Ask the school nurse to explain and provide all of the required forms you and your child's health care provider need to sign and complete. • Discuss your child's asthma triggers and steps to reduce them in the classroom. • Ask about the school's asthma emergency plan, and if coaches, teachers and staff are trained in how to recognize a s t h m a sy m p to m s a n d re s p o n d to a breathing emergency. All 50 states and the District of Columbia allow children to self-carry and use their asthma inhalers while at school. Asthma can be fatal and you never know when asthma symptoms may occur. Discuss the policies and practices to ensure immediate access to your child's asthma medication while at school. Step 3 – Schedule an asthma check-up Each school year should begin with a visit to your child's health care provider for an asthma check-up. It’s a good time to make sure your child is on the right amount of medicine for their asthma, to

fill out any forms required by the school and to create an asthma management plan. • It's important that your child has an updated asthma action plan on file at school and one at home and has been trained to use the prescribed medicines and devices. Talk about how to make your medical visits more satisfying to find helpful hints on how to talk to your child's health care provider. • If your child uses a spacer or valvedholding chamber or a peak flow meter, ask your health care provider for a prescription for two; one can be kept at home and one at school. A peak flow meter at school will help the school nurse assess your child's asthma symptoms. • Asthma medicine only works if it is taken correctly. Your health care provider can teach your child the correct way to hold and inhale the medicine. Visit www.lung. org/asthmameds to watch how-to videos for using inhalers. • Staying active is especially important in kids with asthma. Discuss the types of physical activity and sports your child wants to play and the steps to take to avoid symptoms while exercising. Follow these steps to help your child stay active with asthma.

Step 4 – Develop an asthma action plan An asthma action plan is a written worksheet created by your health care provider and tailored to your child's needs. • The plan includes a list of your child's asthma triggers and symptoms, the names of their medicines and how much medicine to take when needed. The plan also explains the steps to manage an asthma episode and a breathing emergency. • An asthma action plan should always be on file in the school nurse's office and easily accessible to anyone who may need to help your child use his or her inhaler. • Make sure teachers, coaches, afterschool care providers and even school bus drivers have a copy. • Keep a copy for yourself to help manage your child's asthma symptoms when at home. Step 5 – Get a Flu Shot On average, 1 out of 5 Americans suffer from influenza (flu) every year. Respiratory infections such as the flu are one of the most common asthma triggers. • Remember, the flu shot is safe for people with asthma. • The best way to protect your family from the flu is for everyone over the age of 6 months to get vaccinated.

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Highland Park Early Primary School supply list Kindergarten and Kindergarten Prep All kindergarten students need the following: (in addition to the classroom specific items on the bottom) ❒ 1 large backpack (Please label it with your child's name; no wheels) ❒ 2 24-count boxes regular size crayons ❒ 1 box cone-tip washable markers ❒ 20 small glue sticks ❒ 1 box of No. 2 pencils ❒ 1 pair round-tip scissors ❒ 2 large pink erasers ❒ 3 boxes of Kleenex ❒ 1 package of baby wipes ❒ 1 package of antibacterial wipes ❒ 1 set of watercolor paints ❒ 3 large boxes of crackers or snacks (graham, saltine, wheat, cheese) ❒ 1 extra set of clothing (Please place in a plastic bag and label it with your child's name) Girls bring: ❒ 1 package large white paper plates

❒ 1 box quart size Ziploc bags, ❒ 1 box of q-tips Boys bring:

❒ 1 package small white paper plates ❒ 1 box sandwich size Ziploc bags ❒ 1 package white paper bags

Some of the above items will need to be replenished throughout the year Miss Courchene ❒ 2 2-pocket folders ❒ 1 water bottle ❒ 1 pencil box ❒ 1 pkg. coffee filters ❒ 1 placemat ❒ 1 paint shirt Mrs. Wells ❒ 1 package 100 count 5 oz. plastic cups ❒ 1 extra box of 24 count crayons ❒ 1 roll paper towels

Mrs. Neuwerth ❒ 1 4 oz.-bottle of glue ❒ 1 box cone-tip washable markers ❒ 1 24-pack bottled water (can be brought throughout the year) Mrs. Passon ❒ 1 water bottle ❒ 1 paint shirt ❒ 1 pencil box ❒ 1 set colored pencils ❒ 2 2-pocket folders ❒ 1 1-inch, 3-ring binder Mrs. McLain ❒ 1 water bottle ❒ 2 2-pocket folders ❒ 1 paint shirt Mrs. Henry ❒ 1 package 8 oz. plastic cups ❒ 1 set finger paints ❒ 1 package paper bowls

❒ 1 extra box of 24 ct. crayons

Mrs. Gibson ❒ 2 2-pocket folders ❒ 1 4-oz. bottle of glue ❒ 1 empty shoe box ❒ 1 paint shirt ❒ 1 wide ruled single subject notebook Mrs. Stortz (K prep) ❒ 1 water bottle ❒ 2 2-pocket folders ❒ 1 pencil box Mrs. Hansen ❒ 1 paint shirt ❒ 1 pencil box ❒ 4 3 oz-cans of play dough ❒ 1 bottle of water ❒ 2 folders (red and blue)

First-Grade All first-grade students need the following: (in addition to the classroom specific items) ❒ 1 set of extra clothing (for mealtime spills & recess mishaps) Please place in a plastic sack labeled with your child’s name ❒ 1 3-ring binder (1 ½”) - no trapper keepers ❒ 1 book bag or back pack (no rollers please) ❒ 2 boxes of Kleenex ❒ 1 box of 24 count crayons ❒ 1 pair child scissors ❒ 2 boxes of snack crackers ❒ 1 set watercolor paints ❒ 1 pkg disinfecting wipes ❒ 1 box of washable markers ❒ 5 glue sticks

Mrs. Bakke ❒ 1 pencil box ❒ 1 pkg #2 pencils ❒ 1 lg pink eraser ❒ 1 bottle Elmer's glue (8 oz.) ❒ 1 box gallon size ziplock bags ❒ 1 pkg pencil cap erasers Mrs. Samson ❒ 1 lg box ziplock bags ❒ 1 bottle Elmer's glue (8 oz.) ❒ 2 pkgs #2 pencils Mrs. Welch ❒ 1 lg pink eraser ❒ Boys: 1 pkg lg paper plates ❒ Girls: 1 pkg quart or gallon size ziplock bags

Ms. St. Marks ❒ 1 pencil box ❒ 1 pkg #2 pencils ❒ 1 pkg colored pencils ❒ 1 set colored pencils ❒ Boys: 1 pkg lg paper plates ❒ Girls: 1 pkg quart or gallon size ziplock bags Mrs. Kallenberger ❒ 1 pencil box ❒ 2 lg pink erasers ❒ Boys: 1 pkg lg paper plates ❒ Girls: 1 pkg quart or gallon size ziplock bags Mrs. Sather ❒ 2 lg pink erasers ❒ 1 bottle Elmer's glue (8 oz.)

❒ 1 pkg paper places or ziplock bags ❒ 1 pkg #2 pencils

Mrs. Duquette ❒ 1 pkg #2 pencils ❒ 2 bottles Elmer's glue (8 oz.) ❒ 1 wide ruled single subject notebook ❒ 1 pkg pencil cap erasers ❒ Girls: 1 box gallon size ziplock bags ❒ Boys: 1 box quart size ziplock bags NO 3 ring binder listed above Mrs. Zook ❒ 2 lg pink erasers ❒ 2 pkgs #2 pencils ❒ Girls: 1 box gallon size ziplock bags ❒ Boys: 1 box quart size ziplock bags

Second-grade supply list

❒ 2 large boxes of facial tissues ❒ 2 package (6-12) No. 2 lead pencils, (Ticonderoga brand only)

❒ 1 8 oz.-bottle white glue

(not clear, gel, or colored) ❒ 1 24-count box of crayons ❒ 1 pair pointed student scissors ❒ 1 pencil box ❒ 2 large package of glue sticks ❒ 2 2-pocket folders ❒ 2 large box of snacks ❒ 1 container disinfectant wipes ❒ Book bag Please no trapper keepers or backpacks on wheels — they do not fit in the lockers.

Mrs. Azure ❒ 1 set watercolor paints ❒ 1 set washable markers (optional) ❒ 1 set colored pencils (optional) Mrs. Bekker ❒ 1 old sock ❒ 1 set watercolor paints ❒ 1 set colored pencils ❒ 1 box Ziploc storage bags (snack, sandwich, or quart size) Miss Crasco ❒ 1 set watercolor paints ❒ 1 set colored pencils ❒ 1 old T-shirt (big)

❒ 1 set washable markers (optional)

Miss Hickman ❒ 1 pkg. of dry erase markers ❒ 1 box Ziploc storage bags (Snack, sandwich, or quart size) ❒ 1 set of washable markers, (optional) Mrs. Tommerup ❒ 1 set colored pencils ❒ 1 set washable markers Mrs. Wendland ❒ 1 set colored pencils ❒ 1 box Ziploc storage bags (Snack, sandwich, or quart size)

❒ 1 set of washable markers (optional) ❒ 1 set of water colors (optional)

Mrs. Wilting ❒ 1 old sock ❒ 1 pkg. dry erase markers ❒ 1 set of washable markers, (optional) ❒ 1 set watercolor paints, (optional) Miss Young ❒ 1 box Ziploc storage bags (Snack, sandwich, or quart size) ❒ 1 set washable markers (optional) ❒ 1 set colored pencils (optional)

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Third-grade supply list

❒ 2 package wide-ruled loose leaf paper ❒ 2 large boxes of facial tissue ❒ 2 boxes No. 2 lead pencils ❒ glue sticks ❒ 24-count box of crayons or colored pencils

❒ 1 package 5-subject

index divider for binder

❒ 1 book bag,(no wheels) ❒ 1 pair of pointed scissors ❒ 1 1½”-ringed binder

with pockets for 8½” x 11” sheets (no trapper keepers)

Ms. Adamson ❒ 1 tube sock ❒ 1 spiral notebook ❒ 1 hard plastic pencil box ❒ 1 8 oz.-bottle white glue ❒ 1 package markers (optional) Miss Anderson ❒ 1 package eraser caps ❒ 1 package washable markers (optional) ❒ 1 hard plastic pencil box ❒ 1 container of disinfectant wipes Mrs. Leinwand ❒ 1 hard plastic pencil box ❒ 1 water bottle

❒ 3 boxes of facial tissues ❒ 1 box of washable markers ❒ 1 box of colored pencils ❒ 1 box of Crayons (fewer than 32) ❒ 60 No. 2 Pencils ❒ 1 package pencil erasers — 24 count ❒ 1 red pen, 1 blue pen ❒ 2 highlighters

❒ 1 pair of scissors ❒ 1 ruler ❒ 5 single subject wide

ruled spiral notebooks

❒ 3 glue sticks ❒ 1 bottle white glue ❒ 1 package wide ruled loose leaf paper ❒ 6 2-pocket folders

❒ 1 container of disinfectant wipes ❒ 1 old tube sock ❒ 1 package eraser caps

❒ 1 package watercolor paints (optional) ❒ 1 hard plastic pencil box

Miss McClenahan ❒ 2 2-pocket folders ❒ 1 hard plastic pencil box ❒ 1 old tube sock ❒ 1 small water bottle ❒ 1 set of washable markers (optional) ❒ 1 package eraser caps

Mrs. Olson ❒ 2 2-pocket folders ❒ 1 hard plastic pencil box ❒ 1 old tube sock ❒ 1 small water bottle ❒ 1 set of washable markers (optional) ❒ 1 pkg. of eraser caps ❒ 1 8 oz.-bottle white glue

Mrs. Meldrum ❒ 1 spiral notebook ❒ 1 small water bottle ❒ 1 old tube sock

Mrs. Stickel ❒ 1 old tube sock ❒ 1 set of washable markers (optional) ❒ 1 pkg. of eraser caps

❒ 1 package of 4 Expo dry erase

❒ 2 glue sticks ❒ 1 personal pencil sharpener ❒ 1 binder (1/2-inch) ❒ 1 small book bag or backpack

low odor markers ❒ 1 flash drive ❒ 1 computer headphone (optional) ❒ 1 small book bag or backpack (no wheels due to limited locker space) ❒ 1 box Ziploc bags (quart or gallon size)

❒ 1 container Lysol wipes (no trapper keepers or 3-ring binders) Please check your child’s supplies at the end of each trimester to see what needs to be replenished.

Fifth-grade supply list

❒ 3 boxes tissues ❒ 1 package of 4 Expo dry erase

low odor markers ❒ 7 packages of No. 2 pencils (no dixon) ❒ 1 ruler — 12 inch ❒ 10 composition notebooks ❒ 4 pocket folders

❒ 4 packages wide-rule, loose leaf paper ❒ 1 pair scissors ❒ erasers ❒ 1 red pen, 1 blue pen ❒ 1 box crayons (no more than 24) ❒ 1 set of markers ❒ 1 zippered pencil holder (not a box)

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New guidelines for school lunches

Fourth-grade supply list

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(no wheels due to limited locker space)

❒ 1 box crackers (any kind)

❒ 3 packages of microwave popcorn (optional)

❒ 2 highlighters ❒ 2 sharpies ❒ 1 zip drive ❒ 1 set colored pencils

Pam Burke community@havredailynews.com U.S. Department of Agriculture and Montana Office of Public Instruction have released new guidelines for school meals and snacks, as well as a new program for schools with a high percentage of students living within federal low-income guidelines. This year kids can expect more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and more stringent controls on calories, sodium, fat and sugar. USDA’s nutrition standards for foods require that any food sold in schools must: • Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product; • Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product or a protein; • Be a combination food that contains at least one-quarter cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or • Contain 10 percent of the daily value of one of the nutrients of public health concerns — calcium, potassium, vitamin D or dietary fiber.

Nutrient requirements include calorie limits of equal to or less than 200 calories for snacks and 350 calories for entrées; sodium limits of equal to or less than 230 mg for snacks and 480 mg for entrées; fat limits of equal to or less than 35 percent of calories for total fat and 10 percent for saturated fat; and equal to or less than 35 percent of weight from total sugars in food. Nutrition standards on beverages will eliminate the sale of sugary drinks and limit the amount of beverages sold — other than water. This includes artificially sweetened drinks, both carbonated and noncarbonated, flavored and unflavored milks and juices. The standards and guidelines can be found online at http://www.regulations.gov, searching for “Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School” or by the number FNS-2011-0019.

Provision 2 schools Under the No Kid Hungry program, schools with a high number of students eligible for free or reduced-price school lunch program now can qualify as a Provision 2

school. This program makes the entire student body eligible for free lunch. The NoKidHungry.org website said that participation in the program is based on students whose families are enrolled in other federal programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. The program benefits the school, as well as the children, the program’s website says. It allows eligible schools in high-need areas to free up resources that were used to check individual student eligiblity for free or reduced-price meals and used to create documentation of eligibility. It reduces the stigma for children who need the meals. And it increases the number of children receiving breakfast because breakfast will be served in classrooms. While this is the first year for Provision 2 nationwide, it has been phased in over three years at schools in 10 states and Washington, D.C., the website said. Montana OPI said area schools eligible for the program are those in Box Elder, Dodson, Harlem, Hays-Lodge Pole and Rocky Boy.