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.
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
- Community Food Bank Drive-Up Locations
- Find a Community Food Bank Summer Program in your area
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
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religion, reprisal and, where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
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 Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) online or 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
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: [email protected]
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.