Parent Teacher Magazine Gaston County Schools | Page 11
School Nutrition
“Providing nutritious meals for a healthy diet, body, and
mind.”
Good nutrition is a key component of student success and
achievement in the classroom. Consequently, the goal of the School
Nutrition Department is to provide appealing, nutritious, healthy,
and well-balanced meals to our students daily. Our customers may
choose from a variety of entrees, whole grain-rich foods, fruits,
vegetables, and one-percent or skim milk. This variety is essential
to properly supply our students’ many nutrient needs. Fresh fruit
is available daily, and seasonal purchases of locally grown produce
are coordinated through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and
GAP certified farmers. Nutritional information for all menu items
is available from the Cafeteria Manager, School Nurse, or School
Nutrition office.
Breakfast and lunch programs are offered at all schools. During the
2017-2018 school year, more than 1.5 million breakfasts and 3.7
million lunches were served in our school cafeterias. Meals served in
school cafeterias must meet menu patterns and rigorous nutritional
specifications established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
However, if your child has been determined by a physician to be
handicapped, and the handicap would prevent your child from
eating the regular school meal, then School Nutrition will make any
substitutions prescribed by your doctor. If a substitution is needed,
there will be no extra charge for the meal. However substitutions and
modifications to the menu are not available for personal, cultural, or
religious preferences. Please contact the School Nutrition Office at
(704) 836-9110 for further information.
School Lunch Prices
Elementary Breakfast
$1.20
Lunch
$2.70
Middle School $1.20 $2.80
High School $1.20 $2.80
School Staff
Adult Guest $1.50
$1.50 $3.75
$3.75
Students with Special Diet Needs
Students with medical conditions such as allergies and diabetes may
request modification to school meals by completing a Diet Order
form. Parents may obtain a Diet Order application from the cafeteria
manager, school nurse or School Nutrition office. The form must
be signed by a physician and returned to the cafeteria manager or
sent to the GCS School Nutrition Office, 500 Reid Street, Lowell, NC
28098. For more information, contact your school principal or call the
GCS School Nutrition Office at (704) 836-9110.
Free and Reduced Lunches
All students enrolled in the Gaston County Schools are given an
opportunity to apply for free or reduced price breakfast and lunch.
To apply, a parent or guardian must complete and sign a Free and
Reduced Price Meal application form. The form must be submitted
each year. Only one application per household is necessary. Eligibility
for free and reduced price meals is based on household income and
number of people in the household. Applications are available from
the cafeteria manager, school office and the School Nutrition office.
Transportation and Bus Safety
The Gaston County Schools Transportation Department operates
one of the safest school bus fleets in the state. Bus transportation
is provided to elementary, middle, and high school students living
at least a mile and a half from their assigned school. All bus drivers
must be 18 years or older and pass a bus driver training program
designated by the N.C. Division of Highways. Bus drivers are trained
and licensed by the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.
The transportation department was chosen as one of the Top Ten
School Bus Fleets in the country and we are the first school system in
the United States to produce its own biodiesel fuel. The department
uses recycled vegetable oil from our school cafeterias to make the fuel.
Bus Schedule
Questions concerning your child’s bus schedule should be directed to
the school principal.
School Bus Safety Tips
School bus safety is a top priority with Gaston County Schools. In
order to make the bus transportation system as safe as possible,
parents should remind children of the following conduct and bus
safety rules:
• Always obey your bus driver.
• Observe good conduct. Always talk quietly on the bus. Never
scream.
• Be at your bus stop on time.
• Help keep the bus clean.
• Stay off the street when waiting for
the bus.
• Stay in your seat until the bus comes
to a complete stop.
• Don’t play with the emergency door.
• Leave the bus only at the front of the door except in case of an
emergency.
• Always keep hands, arms and head inside the bus.
• Never use drugs, tobacco, alcohol or profane language on the bus.
• Always use the handrail to get on and off the bus.
• Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic when going to the
bus stop. Always stay well off the road.
When approaching or leaving your bus, if you must cross the street,
always cross in front of the bus where the driver can see you. Always
make sure the bus has stopped and the stop signal is extended.
Always occupy the seat assigned by the driver or principal.
Citizens, Please Be Cautious
As the new school year begins, we ask all citizens of Gaston County
to watch out for children who ride the bus. During the morning and
afternoon hours when the yellow buses are transporting children to
and from school, pay close attention to children getting on and off
the bus. Always be extra cautious when approaching a yellow school
bus. After all, we do transport daily the most valuable and precious
resource in the world - our children.
Parent Teacher Magazine • Sept/Oct 2019 • 9