© 2010 school nutrition foundation make your way to excellence

© 2010 School Nutrition Foundation

Make Your Way to Excellence


The Keys

NowThe Keys

Then


Purpose of “Keys”

• A self-assessment tool to evaluate your program in four areas:– Administration– Communications and Marketing– Nutrition and Nutrition Education– Operations

• School nutrition industry best practice standards


A Way To

• Demonstrate your commitment to excellence in school nutrition

• Benchmark your program’s quality

• Gain respect from the broader educational community


“Keys Express”Process

• Go to www.schoolnutrition.org/keys• Click on Keys Express• Fill in demographic data• Answer questions for all four areas• Print answers• Create comparison reports• Develop an action plan


Emphasis on Self-Assessment

• Develop plan to work on areas that need improvement

• Include staff in assessment and improvement plan

• Use periodically


District of ExcellenceWhat it is….

• A three year formal recognition of outstanding school nutrition operations

• Awarded to districts that demonstrate best practice standards by:– Submitting documentation required in the District of

Excellence Application– Meet all indicators in the application as evaluated by a

peer review panel


District of ExcellenceWhy do it….

• Private confirmation of your hard work• Formal recognition serves as an excellent

marketing tool• Boost to staff confidence and morale• Enhance the efforts of SNA


District of ExcellencePR Opportunities

• SNA Public Relations– Press Releases to announce new recipients– Proactive Public Relations to recognize the District of

the Year– Program promotion to the education community

• District Public Relations– Customizable Press Release– Permission to use distinction and logo in conjunction

with district marketing and communication efforts


District of ExcellenceHow to do it….

• Complete the Keys Express on-line self-assessment

• Make program improvements as necessary until district meets all best practice standards

• Gather required documentation as indicated in the application

• Check to ensure that all “indicators” are demonstrated

• Submit the District of Excellence Application


New Application Process• Online application for your convenience• Application includes

– Creating online account– Submitting district information – Uploading documents – Submitting one binder to SNA

• Available August 16, 2013


District of Excellence2012-2013 Timeline

• 2012-2013 Application Deadlines:– December 1, 2012– March 31, 2013

• Applicants receive notification from SNA of distinction approximately 8 weeks after each deadline


Community Benefits

• Public Relations boost• Positive perceptions from parents• Enhanced view of school nutrition

department as integrated into overall educational experience


Value of Involving Staff

• Staff can participate in evaluating areas of strength and weakness

• Staff have a direct role in developing and implementing improvement plan

• Staff take ownership in recognition


2013 District of the Year Award

• Recipients of District of Excellence distinction may be considered

• Applications will be scored by the same peer review panel

• Award winner will be notified by May 31 annually and recognized at ANC 2013

• A school district may only receive the award one time


It’s Time to Get Started

• Work on your self-assessment right after ANC

• www.schoolnutrition.org/keys

• Look for new online District of Excellence Application on August 16, 2013

http://www.schoolnutrition.org/keys

© 2010 school nutrition foundation make your way to excellence

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