January 17, 2020
Dear CSI Schools and District-Authorized Schools Participating in the Pinnacle SFA,
Happy New Year! We hope you have had a wonderful holiday break. We are writing to share some exciting news about school food services for the coming school year.
As you may know, The Pinnacle School has been serving as a School Food Authority (SFA) for several years, ensuring that many CSI schools as well as some district-authorized charter schools can offer their students a high-quality school nutrition program.
The Pinnacle School and the Colorado Charter School Institute have been working closely over the last few months on a plan to transition the School Food Authority from The Pinnacle School to the Colorado Charter School Institute for the 2020-2021 school year.
What does this mean for your school?
For those currently using the Pinnacle SFA
, your school will need to identify another food service authority for the 2020-2021 school year:
- Your school can transfer to be part of the CSI School Food Authority. Instructions on how to do so are forthcoming.
- Your school can seek to participate through another School Food Authority. Instructions on how to do so are forthcoming.
- Your school can apply to become its own School Food Authority. Please contact CDE’s Office of Nutrition for more information on how to apply to become your own SFA. Applications are due to CDE by February 15, 2020.
For those not currently using the Pinnacle SFA
, your school has the option to seek food services through the CSI SFA. Please contact Amanda Karger for more information.
What changes are expected?
For those currently participating in The Pinnacle School Food Authority
, we anticipate the following changes upon transition to the CSI School Food Authority:
- Staffing: CSI has posted the School Nutrition Program Manager position. We hope to hire as soon as a qualified candidate is identified and hopefully no later than March 1. This will allow time for the manager to train with The Pinnacle School Food Authority staff.
- Systems: In response to school feedback, CSI will plan to issue a Request for Information for systems. Therefore, it is possible that new systems, including the point of sale system, will be implemented for the 2020-2021 school year. We recognize the significant impact a system change may have on schools and will ensure decisions will be made in a timely manner and communicated to all participating schools. If you have feedback you would like to share about the existing systems or preferences or features to consider for a new system, please reach out to Amanda Karger by February 7, 2020.
- Costs: It is CSI’s intent to offer a competitive SFA structure that still ensures the program is managed with the same level of quality we offer for our other service areas. Fee setting will be dependent on several factors, including staffing and the number of participating schools. We hope to have fee estimates finalized by March 31, 2020.
We understand the importance of ensuring your students continue to receive a high-quality food service program and will continue to share updates on the transition as they are available.
To help us gauge interest in participating in the CSI School Food Authority for the 2020-2021 school year, please take this
short survey
no later than Friday, January 24, 2020
.
Should you have any questions about the remainder of the school year with The Pinnacle School Food Authority, please reach out to Natalie Bryslan at
[email protected]
. Should you have any questions about the plans for the CSI School Food Authority, please reach out to Amanda Karger at
[email protected]
.
Respectfully,
