Chartwells Mission:

Chartwells is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for students during mealtimes. We understand the importance of providing accurate nutrition, ingredient, and allergen information for students to make informed choices for their health and well-being and we are dedicated to creating a foodservice environment that ensures information accuracy at all times. Furthermore, we understand the impact that food allergies and medical conditions can have on the life of young people and we commit to strict observance of USDA regulations for accommodating children with special needs.

Chartwells Nut Policy:

We do not serve any product containing peanuts, tree nuts, or coconut or products that contain advisory statements on the label.

Accommodations for Special Diets:

The Canyon ISD Food Service Department will collaborate with school personnel, parents and caregivers, and medical providers to provide a safe food environment for children with food allergies or special medical conditions. Our Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDN) will create a modified menu that provides safe, nutritious foods that align with the student’s special dietary needs.

If your child requires a special diet, please follow the following procedures:

1. Please obtain a signed medical note from your child’s licensed Texas physician listing your child’s food allergies and appropriate food substitutions.
2. Please submit the signed medical note to the campus nurse and email a copy directly to the Canyon ISD Dietitian at halley.holloway@canyonisd.net.

Egg allergies: Please have your child’s physician specify the severity of the egg allergy. For example, whole eggs need to be avoided (egg in foods are okay) or eggs in ALL foods need to be avoided, including baked goods.

Dairy allergies: Please have your child’s physician specify which dairy products need to be avoided. For example, avoid ALL dairy products or fluid milk only (cheese/yogurt/ice cream are okay). Please also list an appropriate milk substitute, such as water, lactose-free milk, soymilk, or other.

Once the signed medical note is received by the Food Service Department, it will be processed by the Canyon ISD Dietitian in accordance with federal and state guidelines. An allergy or other dietary alert notification will be added onto the student’s meal account. The Dietitian will contact the parent or guardian to discuss the student’s food preferences and accommodation needs. If a modified menu is required, the parent or guardian will have the ability to approve it and agree on an implementation start date. The Dietitian will also ensure that the campus nurse and cafeteria manager are informed about the student’s special dietary needs.

Do I need a medical note?

• A signed medical note is required if your child needs new special dietary accommodations.
• A signed updated medical note is strongly recommended if your child needs the same dietary accommodations as received in the previous school year. For any questions or concerns regarding this, please contact the Canyon ISD Dietitian.
• A signed medical note is preferred but not required if discontinuing the special diet, including removing an allergen or other dietary accommodations. The parent/guardian can submit a written note with signature to the Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDN) to remove the special diet.
• A signed medical note is not required if your child needs fewer dietary accommodations than the previous school year and is allowed to receive specific foods. The parent/guardian can submit a written note with signature to the Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDN) listing the specific foods the child is now allowed to have.

Note: A special diet may take up to 2 weeks to implement. However, at the beginning of the school year the implementation period may be much longer due to the very high number of requests that are received at this time. During the implementation period, the parent/guardian of the student is responsible for providing the special diet. The Dietitian will notify the parent/guardian of a start date.

It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to notify the Canyon ISD Food Service Department if any changes occur or if the student transfers to another school within the district.