Round Lake board hears Organic Life meal outreach; honors Tech Campus students and athletes

Organic Life representative Samu Sol told the Round Lake Area Board of Education that district meal participation is about 5% lower year to date, driven largely by a decline in enrollment and small shifts in student preferences. Sol said elementary participation fell slightly while early education snack participation increased, and she described outreach efforts — sample tastings at a choir festival, world language nights and a pasta challenge — that produced positive family feedback and short-term upticks in consumption.

"Parents were really engaged in knowing what we're offering," Sol said, and the district plans more menu advisory meetings, tryout events and presence at orientation and registration events to boost awareness and participation going into summer and next school year.

The board also recognized students and staff. Principal Brian Peterson and others honored Tech Campus students of the third quarter across career pathways including construction skills and management, culinary arts, medical assisting and certified nursing. Athletic director Perilzak and coaches recognized Landon Lyon as the March male athlete of the month (noting conference-leading hitting numbers for a sophomore) and Ariana Cabral as the March female athlete of the month for leadership and on-field performance.

The district did not propose policy changes at the meeting; Sol said the next steps are expanded outreach and continued surveying of families to refine menu items and increase participation.

The board took no formal votes related to the meal program at the meeting.