Meal Modification Statement
Byron Bergen Central School District provides reasonable modified meal components on menus to accommodate students with a disability. A parent/guardian wishing to request dietary accommodations for their student with a disability/allergy must submit a medical statement completed by a State licensed healthcare professional, i.e., Physician, Nurse Practitioner, Physician’s Assistant to their school’s nurse’s office. Documents can be sent by the healthcare professional by email, fax or mail to the Medical Director, Amy Stevens, at the Jr/Sr High School building. If you need assistance, please contact Mary Della Penna, Food Service Director, at
[email protected].
The medical statement requirements are:
- Provides information about impairment (diagnosis not required)
- Explanation of what must be done to accommodate the disability, which may include:
- Food(s) to avoid or restrict (such as allergen)
- Food(s) to substitute
- Brief explanation of how exposure affects the student(s)
If the information provided in the medical statement is unclear, or lacks sufficient detail, the District’s Food Service Director shall request additional information so that a proper and safe meal can be provided. Modifications to the meals will begin immediately upon receipt of the documentation and continue while waiting for additional information, if needed. This form will remain on file and in force until we receive written notification from the parent to remove.
Modification procedure:
- All servers and cashiers are made aware of the modification as soon as the food service department is notified
- Student’s account is flagged with the modification, so it automatically comes up on the POS when the child enters his or her number
- Any food items needed to be purchased (gluten free items, dairy free items and etc) will be done within 10 business days. Substitutions will be made until the ordered product is received.
When choosing an appropriate approach to accommodate a student’s disability, the District will consider the expense and efficiency of the requested accommodations. The district will offer a reasonable modification that effectively accommodates the child’s disability and provides equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from the program, which may include a generic version of a product.
Parents may file a grievance regarding the request for accommodation with the District’s Superintendent’s office by calling (585) 494 – 1220 ext 2329. The office will schedule a hearing on the Grievance, in writing, to be held within 10 business days. The Business Official shall provide a copy of the procedures governing the hearing, including that the parent has the right to be accompanied by counsel, and the appeal process upon request. The District will not prepare meals outside the normal menu to accommodate a family’s religious or personal health beliefs