Schools in Clark, Champaign work to finalize food service guidelines

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

As schools in Clark and Champaign counties release and update plans for reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic, they are also working to finalize their food service guidelines to continue to serve students in a healthy and safe manner.

Springfield City Schools is working with their Food & Nutritional Services Department and principals to finalize their procedures for breakfast and lunch, and the specific guidelines will be announced as they are completed.

“The safety and well being of our students is of utmost concern,” said Superintendent Bob Hill. “All allergy needs and concerns will be addressed in a manner consistent with the needs of each student.”

Clark-Shawnee, Greenon, Northeastern Local and Urbana City Schools will be designating seats or tables during lunch and will not be giving change to students who pay with cash “to eliminate two-way cash-handling transactions” and that change will be applied to the student’s lunch account, according to district superintendents. Northwestern and Graham Local Schools will also designate seats or tables during lunch.

“Building principals are currently working on lunch schedules and establishing procedures based on individual building needs,” said Clark-Shawnee Superintendent Brian Kuhn.

Greenon, Northeastern, Southeastern Local and Urbana will prepare breakfast in advance as a grab-and-go option and lunch options will be limited, according to the district’s superintendents.

Urbana, Southeastern and Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools may expand lunch to additional areas including classrooms, according to district superintendents. Mechanicsburg and Triad will also work to provide meal options to students on remote learning days if the district must change to either a hybrid option or close.

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