The Watson Institute is committed to providing students with an enriching and nourishing environment in which to learn. When students are well-fed, learning and growth can occur.
At the Education Centers in Sewickley and Bridgeville, and Friendship Academy, school lunch and/or breakfast programs are integral to supporting students by providing nourishing meals.
Lunch Program Guidelines
Your child is welcome to purchase or bring lunch with them to school. If your child chooses to buy a drink to accompany their packed lunch, white or chocolate milk, and fruit juices are available to purchase. Students who bring food to school must send any heated food in a thermos. We are unable to heat student foods for safety reasons.
At this time, the Watson Institute programs participate in the National School Lunch Program and are able to provide a free grab-and-go breakfast and free lunch to all students.
A menu will be provided by your child’s teacher and can also be requested from the office. The menu will show a main entree and an alternate entree each day. You and your child should select one entree per day. We offer a gluten-free choice if the student has a medical need for one. A form, which our office can provide, will need to be signed by your child’s doctor.
Free or reduced lunch applications are available beginning July 1st of the new school year. Parents may request a hard copy if needed, but all are encouraged to apply online via School Cafe.
If you choose to purchase a lunch for your child, a menu for the month’s lunch options is sent home before the beginning of each month. The menu will show a main entree and an alternate entree each day. You and your child should select one entree per day. We offer a gluten-free choice if the student has a medical need for one. A form, which our office can provide, will need to be signed by your child’s doctor.
Students who bring food to school must send the heated food in a thermos. We are unable to heat student foods for safety reasons.
The Watson Institute is a nut-free facility. Many of the students have severe peanut and other nut allergies so there is a potential for serious medical consequences if they are exposed or have contact with nut products.
Please avoid bringing nuts or nut products (peanut butter, almond milk, etc.) into the school. Parents who pack their child’s meals and snacks must send food to the school ready to be served. It must come cut up, pureed, and/or mixed together as necessary for your child.
Parents can pay for their child’s meals online at EZ Parent Center. You are encouraged to keep money in your student’s account so it does not enter a negative balance. Weekly notices will be sent via the EZ School Apps regarding balances. Please be sure to sign up on the website to receive notices. Additional information on the lunch program can be found in the parent handbook.
Friendship Academy offers breakfast at school every day for students. Studies show the importance of a healthy breakfast for children.
Summer Food Programs
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is funded by the USDA and was established in 1968 to respond to growing research that correlated a child’s nutrition with academic success and concerns about the lack of nutrition resources for children during the summer months.
Nutritious meals are available for children and teens 18 years old and younger at many locations throughout the nation throughout the summer while school is out of session.
Schools or families may use any of the following methods to locate sites that serve free meals to children during the summer:
- Call 211
- Call 1-866-3HUNGRY or 1-877-8HAMBRE
- Text “Food” or “Comida” to 877877 during the summer months
- Text “Summer Meals” or “Verano” to 97779
- Search for Summer Meals online at the USDA
- Use the Range App site locator
- Access the Summer EBT / Sun Bucks Food Program & Sun Bucks Youth Program
- Community Food Bank Drive-Up Locations
- Find a Community Food Bank Summer Program in your area
- Find a Summer Youth Cafe in your area for children ages 18 and under
Food Assistance is also available by County. For Allegheny County, access the Pittsburgh CitiParks Food Program or the Allegheny County Food Assistance program.
Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: [email protected]
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.