1. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation Make Your Way to Excellence

2. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation The Keys Now The Keys Then

3. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation 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

4. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation A Way To Demonstrate your commitment to excellence in school nutrition Benchmark your program’s quality Gain respect from the broader educational community

5. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation “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

6. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation Emphasis on Self- Assessment Develop plan to work on areas that need improvement Include staff in assessment and improvement plan Use periodically

7. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation District of Excellence What 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

8. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation District of Excellence Why 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

9. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation District of Excellence PR 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

10. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation District of Excellence How 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

11. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation 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

12. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation District of Excellence 2012-2013 Timeline 2012-2013 Application Deadlines: –December 1, 2012 –March 31, 2013 Applicants receive notification from SNA of distinction approximately 8 weeks after each deadline

13. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation Community Benefits Public Relations boost Positive perceptions from parents Enhanced view of school nutrition department as integrated into overall educational experience

14. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation 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

15. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation 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

16. © 2010 School Nutrition Foundation 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