Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit
Sponsored by the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition.

May 30 & 31, 2018
Breakfast and Registration begin at 7:00 a.m.
Summit from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Four Points by Sheraton
1125 Boston Providence Turnpike
Norwood, MA
Join school nutrition directors and managers from across the Commonwealth for this two-day summit aimed at promoting healthy students and healthy school nutrition programs. Each day provides 5½ continuing education hours to meet your USDA Professional Standards training needs. School nutrition directors are encouraged to register their managers for May 30th which includes a breakout session specifically for school nutrition managers.
Registration Closed
Cost: $60 per day or $100 for both days
Schedule at a Glance
May 30 | May 31 | |
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7:00 a.m. | Registration and Continental Breakfast |
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8:00 a.m. | WelcomeRobert Leshin, MPA, Director, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs, DESEKaren McGrail, MEd, RDN, LDN, Director, The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition |
WelcomeCommissioner, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education |
8:30 a.m. | School Wellness: National Trends, Local Solutions![]() Local school wellness policies are required for schools participating in school nutrition programs, but do you find yourself fighting an uphill battle to implement wellness initiatives in your district? Dr. Schwartz will review national trends seen in written school wellness policies and what actually gets implemented, the effect of food marketing on children, and the relationship between school breakfast consumption and obesity. Walk away with the evidence to promote wellness initiatives in your district. Suggested Learning Code: 3230 |
Branding Your Program Like a Pro!![]() Branding is a process designed to meet customer needs with a comprehensive approach to excellence. Dayle will explore creative ways to include nutrition employees in marketing and promotion; to engage students, school staff, and community leaders; and to tell school nutrition success stories to all audiences. Suggested Learning Codes: 4110, 4120, 4150 |
9:45 a.m. | Breakout SessionsResource Tables 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
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12:15 p.m. | Buffet Lunch |
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12:45 p.m. | Building a Strong Breakfast Coalition![]() Both district and local support are important tools for the growth of a successful School Breakfast Program. Erin will moderate a panel of school community members who will share the impact breakfast has had on their students and how you can work with other professionals within your district to increase support for your current or new School Breakfast Program. Suggested Learning Code: 4150 |
News You Can Use and Recognition CeremonyRobert Leshin, MPA, Director, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs, DESESchool nutrition program update and essential news you can use. Suggested Learning Codes: 3200, 3230, 3260 |
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions |
SNA of Massachusetts Reception and Exhibits
May 30th from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Kindly select this event when completing your online registration for the summit. Unwind after a full day of professional development! Relax with your peers and vendors while enjoying snacks and a free beverage (included in your $10 ticket price) in the ballroom of the Four Points by Sheraton. Participate in a scavenger hunt designed to help you learn about available products and services. Get fun facts about your vendors and school nutrition. This is networking at its best.
Breakout Sessions
The Breakout Sessions include three different learning tracks – select one when you register.
Engaging Your Customers Select this track to empower your team, to improve customer service, and to grow your program's branding efforts. | ||
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May 30 | May 31 | |
9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Exceptional Customer ServiceJumana Saleh, MS, Nutrition Education Specialist, JSIRecognize the importance of exceptional customer service and enhance your skills using concepts from The Guest: Everything You Already Knew About Great Customer Service. Create an action plan to deliver great customer service in your cafeteria. Suggested Learning Code: 4130 |
Growing Your Nutrition BrandDayle Hayes, MS, RD, President of Nutrition for the Future, Inc.Dive deeper with Dayle to build a strong brand for your school nutrition program during the morning and afternoon sessions. Enhance the perception of school meals throughout your community and build participation at every meal. During this interactive learning track, participants will consider the following questions:
Suggested Learning Codes: 4110, 4150 |
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Empowering Staff to Improve the Customer ExperienceJanice Brathwaite, Director of Workforce Initiatives at Massachusetts League of Community Health CentersExplore the difference between customer service and customer experience along with the potential issues that may be impacting your program. Discover ways to empower staff and enhance their role in improving the customer experience. Suggested Learning Codes: 3400, 4130 |
Expanding School Breakfast Select this track to explore how to start or expand your School Breakfast Program and implement an effective plan to promote your program. | ||
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May 30 | May 31 | |
9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Rules, Regulations, and Reimbursement... Oh My!Doreen Iovanna, MEd and Julie Valcour, RD, MEd, Educational Specialists, DESELearn all the essential aspects of the School Breakfast Program, including the state and federal requirements, as well as the components of a reimbursable breakfast. Suggested Learning Codes: 1110, 2310 |
Thinking Outside the Cafeteria TrayKristina Webber, MS, RD, LDN, Kerry Callahan, MPA, and Amanda Chisholm, MPA, Educational Specialists, DESEDiscover alternative School Breakfast Program service models designed to overcome barriers to participation. Identify implementation strategies and ways to accurately record point of service meal counts. Explore the business value of starting or expanding your School Breakfast Program and how increasing school breakfast participation can positively impact your revenue. Suggested Learning Codes: 2200, 3230, 3310, 3510 Download presentation
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2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Hot and Cold — Variety Made EasyChef Guy Koppe, MS, Director of Chefs in Schoolsand Maura Ackerman, MS, MPH, Director of Child Nutrition Outreach Program Discover hot and cold breakfast recipes that can be easily integrated into your School Breakfast Program during this culinary demo by Chef Koppe. Strategies to store, transport, and serve meals that meet temperature requirements and healthy meal planning techniques will be discussed. Suggested Learning Codes: 2130, 3230 |
Team Up: Breaking Breakfast BarriersPanel of School Nutrition Directors and Denise Courtney, MS, RD, Nutrition Education and School Wellness Training Coordinator, DESETeam Up session facilitated by school nutrition directors targeting how to promote the School Breakfast Program. Suggested Learning Codes: 3230, 4120 |
Maximizing Community Support Select this track to immerse your school nutrition program into the culture and climate of your community. | ||
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May 30 | May 31 | |
9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | The Power of School-Wide CollaborationPanel of School Nutrition Directors and Lisa Jackson, MS, RD, LDN, Educational Specialist, DESEDiscover strategies to promote healthy nutrition behaviors, collaborate within your wellness committee, and garner support from your administration and community. Suggested Learning Codes: 3230, 4150 |
Game On: Six Steps to Building a Healthier SchoolShannon Ashcroft, MEd, CHES, Massachusetts State Coordinator, Action for Healthy Kids Discover how to work more effectively to improve your school wellness policy and practices. During the morning and afternoon sessions, you will use the Action for Healthy Kids Game On program to learn how to:
Suggested Learning Codes: 3230, 4150 |
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | The SWITCH Campaign: A Massachusetts School Wellness InitiativeLisa Jackson, MS, RD, LDN, Educational Specialist, DESEBe in the know about the newest state-wide school wellness initiative, the School Wellness Initiative for Thriving Community Health (SWITCH) and discover how you can get involved! Suggested Learning Codes: 3230, 4150 |
Click here to view the agenda and handouts from 2017's Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit.