Backpack Buddies, breakfast grant and sports updates: food service and athletics report operations and weather‑dependent field work

Food‑service staff told the committee that the Backpack Buddies weekend meal bag program is serving about 95 students weekly and that a recently awarded breakfast expansion grant for $8,750.88 will fund mobile breakfast carts for a Flemington Elementary pilot and support efforts to increase second‑chance breakfast participation.

The food‑service director described required state reporting deadlines (verification report due Jan. 31 and site monitoring due Feb. 1), menu updates to reduce sugar and increase protein to meet upcoming nutrition rules, continued procurement review, and the Giant supermarket 'round‑up' fundraiser (Jan. 1–Mar. 31) to help sustain backpack programming and clear remaining meal debt.

Athletics staff reported winter‑sports rosters were comparable to last year (cheer slightly down) and highlighted events such as a recent 'ring of honor' and a player reaching 1,000 career points. Baseball and softball field construction and sodding remain weather dependent; dugout shelters are scheduled for delivery when conditions permit. The committee also discussed plans to support development of a girls wrestling program and transportation/logistics for early practices.

Administrators thanked community associations and contractors who helped temporary scheduling and field access while construction is pending. The committee heard no formal motions on these items; administrators will carry operational updates to the board packet as usual.