Special Diets
Washington County Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services works with families to support students who require special dietary accommodations while participating in WCPS school meal programs (National School Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner programs
administered by the WCPS Food and Nutrition Services Department).
Families should complete the Medical Form for Students with Special Dietary Needs if:
- Your child is new to WCPS and has a special dietary need
- Your child develops a new special dietary need that has not been requested/reported in the past
- Your child’s previously reported dietary needs change
The form may be used to request accommodations related to food allergies or intolerances, medically required dietary modifications, vegetarian or vegan meals, religious dietary restrictions, and certain milk substitutions. Completed forms should be returned to your child’s school health room.
Forms do not need to be submitted each school year. Once submitted, the information follows the student from year to year unless the student’s dietary needs change.
NOTE:
- Specific nutritional and food allergen information can be found on the WCPS Menus
- For special medical considerations that are not related to food or dietary needs, please contact your child’s school nurse
PLEASE NOTE REGARDING MILK
WCPS will provide soy milk or lactaid in place of regular milk at a parents/guardians request (see Part I below). A Doctors note is not required for a soy/lactaid substitution due to an intolerance or allergy.
In order for a student to receive water, juice or almond milk in place of fluid milk in the National School Breakfast/Lunch programs, a physician must diagnose a student’s diet restriction as a disability and provide all required information under PART II of the Medical Form for Students with Special Dietary Needs.
Under Federal School Breakfast/Lunch regulations, an intolerance or allergy is not a disability.
USDA regulations require a signed medical statement from a recognized medical authority in order for the cafeteria to make substitutions for students with a life-threatening food allergy, disability, or medical condition that requires a special menu or substitution.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.