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New Heights Charter School of Brockton

District Meal Modification Policy

Effective School Year: 2025

Purpose

New Heights Charter School of Brockton (NHCSB) is committed to ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities, have equal access to nutritious school meals. In accordance with USDA regulation 7 CFR 15b, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and USDA Policy Memorandum SP 59-2016 (“Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in the School Meal Programs”), the School Food Authority (SFA) shall make reasonable meal modifications for students whose disabilities restrict their diets.

Policy Statement

No qualified student shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) based on disability.
The SFA will provide reasonable modifications to meal services to accommodate students whose disabilities prevent them from eating standard program meals, provided such modifications are supported by appropriate documentation from a licensed healthcare professional.

Definition of a Disability

A “disability” is any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including but not limited to eating, breathing, digestion, and metabolism.
Examples include food allergies that cause anaphylaxis, metabolic disorders, digestive diseases, or other medical conditions requiring dietary restrictions.

Requesting a Meal Modification

  1. Initiating a Request
    • Parents or guardians requesting a meal modification must complete a Meal Modification Request Form, available in the school office, nurse’s office, or on the NHCSB website.
    • Requests should include a medical statement signed by a licensed healthcare professional.
  2. Medical Statement Requirements
    The statement must identify:
    • The student’s disability or medical condition;
    • How the disability restricts the child’s diet;
    • The major life activity affected;
    • The food(s) to be omitted and suggested substitutions.
  3. Submission and Review
    • The completed request and medical statement should be submitted to the School Nurse or Food Service Director.
    • The Food Service Director, in collaboration with the nurse and parent/guardian, will review the request and determine necessary accommodations.

Implementation of Modifications

The SFA will make modifications that are reasonable and appropriate based on the child’s disability-related needs.
Menu adjustments may include substitution of food items, texture modifications, or preparation changes.
All modifications are documented and communicated to food service staff, the nurse, and classroom staff (if applicable).
Students shall not be charged extra for meals that require modification due to disability.

Communication and Confidentiality

The SFA maintains confidentiality of all medical and disability-related information in accordance with FERPA and other applicable privacy laws.
Information about how to request a meal modification will be included in student handbooks, enrollment materials, and the annual public release.

Appeal Process

Parents or guardians who disagree with a decision regarding a meal modification request may request a review through the Section 504 Grievance Procedure.
The grievance should be submitted in writing to the 504 Coordinator within 10 school days of receiving the decision.
The Coordinator will investigate and respond in writing within 30 calendar days.

Staff Training

The SFA provides annual training to food service personnel, nurses, and relevant staff on identifying and implementing meal modifications, food allergy management, and civil rights compliance.
Documentation of training is retained in the district’s annual civil rights compliance records.

Recordkeeping

The SFA maintains all documentation for a minimum of three years plus the current year, including:

  • Medical statements
  • Accommodation records
  • Training logs
  • Family communications

Resources and References

  • USDA Policy Memo SP 59-2016: Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in the School Meal Programs
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Massachusetts DESE Child Nutrition Programs Guidance

Contacts

Director of Operations/Food Service Director: Dr. Delroy Dennis, PhD | ddennis@nhcsb.org
504 Coordinator: Dawn Cordeiro |  508-857-5721 ext.1324 | dcordeiro@nhcsb.org

Public Availability

This policy is publicly available on the New Heights Charter School of Brockton website and is included with other district-wide policies related to student health services and nutrition programs. The policy is accessible to families, staff, and the public through the school’s website and food service information pages.

 

District Meal Modification Policy

Civil Rights Complaint Procedures

Child Nutrition Programs

Purpose

This procedure establishes the process used by New Heights Charter School of Brockton (NHCSB) to receive, document, and forward civil rights complaints related to participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Afterschool Snack Program.

This procedure is implemented in accordance with USDA FNS Instruction 113-1 and guidance issued by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office for Food and Nutrition Programs.

Civil Rights Protections

Participants in Child Nutrition Programs have the right to receive program benefits free from discrimination based on: Race, Color, National origin, Sex, Age, Disability.

Complaint Procedure

1. Inform

If an individual reports a concern related to discrimination in the Child Nutrition Programs, school staff will:

  • Inform the individual of their right to file a Civil Rights complaint
  • Explain the complaint process
  • Inform the individual that complaints may be submitted verbally, in writing, or anonymously

Staff may assist the individual in submitting a complaint if requested. If the individual does not wish to file a formal complaint, staff may attempt to address the concern locally when appropriate.

 

2. Accept

New Heights Charter School will accept Civil Rights complaints in any form, including:

  • Written complaints
  • Verbal complaints
  • Email or telephone complaints
  • Anonymous complaints

A complaint cannot be denied or delayed because it was not submitted using a specific form.

If a complaint is made verbally, the staff member receiving the complaint will document the details of the complaint.

3. Document

All Civil Rights complaints related to Child Nutrition Programs will be recorded in the Child Nutrition Program Civil Rights Complaint Log.

At minimum, documentation will include:

  • Name and contact information of the complainant (if provided)
  • Date complaint was received
  • Nature of the alleged discrimination
  • Location where the incident occurred
  • Names of individuals or organizations involved
  • Basis of the alleged discrimination
  • Date complaint was referred to USDA
  • Final resolution if available

All documentation will be maintained securely according to USDA and DESE recordkeeping requirements.

  1. Share

All Civil Rights complaints must be forwarded within five (5) calendar days to:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Fax: (202) 690-7442
Email: program.intake@usda.gov

The School Food Authority does not investigate complaints independently but ensures complaints are promptly forwarded to USDA.

Staff Training

All staff involved in administering Child Nutrition Programs receive annual Civil Rights training, which includes:

  • Civil rights compliance requirements
  • Recognizing discrimination
  • Accepting and documenting complaints
  • Proper procedures for forwarding complaints

Training records will be maintained by the School Nutrition Program Administrator.

Public Notification

NHCSB ensures public awareness of civil rights protections by:

  • Displaying the USDA “And Justice for All” poster in meal service areas
  • Including the USDA nondiscrimination statement in program communications and materials
  • Providing program information to families through the school website and communications

Administrative Oversight

The Director of Operations / School Nutrition Program Administrator is responsible for ensuring compliance with this procedure, maintaining complaint documentation, and ensuring complaints are forwarded within required timelines.

Responsible Official

Dr. Delroy Dennis
Director of Operations / School Nutrition Program Administrator

Date Implemented: March 15, 2026

Download Civil Rights Complaint Procedures Child Nutrition Programs

 

New Heights is a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) School

New Heights Charter School of Brockton is pleased to announce our participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). This federal program, with the support of the New Heights Board of Trustees, allows our school to provide breakfast, snack, and lunch at no cost for all students. Families are no longer required to complete a meal benefit application.

Please download the CEP Forms & Nutrition Compliance HERE. Please download separately each section of the document below:

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement:
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Community Eligibility Provision Notice of Direct Certification – FREE

Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P- Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.