South Miami Lutheran Pre-school

1. The State of Florida insists that when a child stays for lunch at school, but brings lunch from home, it is the parents' responsibility to provide a lunch that is consistent with a balanced diet. A diet is considered balanced when the child eats something each day from each of the four food groups listed below:
2. Milk/Dairy Group: this group includes milk (whole or skim), cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and milk‑based soups and desserts. This group provides calcium for bones and teeth, protein for tissue building, and vitamins that are good for eyes, skin, and bones.
3. Fruits and Vegetables: All fruits and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and carbohydrates for energy and fiber. Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C and provide for healthy bones, gums, blood vessels, and many body tissues.
4. Meats: this group includes fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, and dried beans. This group provides high quality protein and is needed for muscle and organ development. This group provides several B vitamins.
5. Grain Group: this group includes cereals, breads, pasta, pancakes, oats, rice, etc. This group provides fiber to help digestion and eliminations, B vitamins, and carbohydrates for energy, iron, and protein.

Your child's lunch must be consistent with a balanced diet. This also means that lunches:

1. Should not be packed with sweets
2. Should not contain sodas or soft drinks
3. Should not contain baby food (which has little nutritional value for two, three, and four year olds) Glass jars are a safety hazard.

It is the director's responsibility to enforce the Alternate Lunch Program required by the State of Florida. For a child who does not have a balanced lunch, the parents will be called and reminded of the Alternate Lunch Program. If the violation continues, the parents will be asked to come in for a conference with the Director. Please comply with the Alternate Lunch Program. Not providing a balanced lunch leads to poor health, poor eating habits, and poor behavior. Let's raise healthy and happy children.

This is a mutual agreement between South Miami Lutheran School and the child's parents. Additionally, South Miami Lutheran School will provide snacks that are consistent with the nutritional needs of a child. The snacks will be of sufficient quality and quantity to comply with these guidelines.