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Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Special Dietary Accommodations

Purpose: To ensure that students with special dietary needs receive appropriate meal accommodations in compliance with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations. This SOP outlines the process for requesting, reviewing, and implementing dietary modifications to support students with disabilities and medical conditions.

Scope: This procedure applies to all students within the Orting School District who require special dietary accommodation due to medical conditions, food allergies, or disabilities that affect their diet.

Definitions:

  • Disability: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including allergies, digestive conditions, or metabolic disorders.
  • Medical Authority: A licensed healthcare provider authorized to diagnose and treat
  • medical conditions, including:
    • Medical Doctor (MD)
    • Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
    • Physician’s Assistant (PA) with prescriptive authority
    • Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)
    • Naturopathic Physician
  • Meal Modification: Changes made to standard meal service to meet a student’s documented medical needs.

Procedure: 

  1. Requesting Special Dietary Accommodations
  • Parents/guardians must complete the Request for Special Dietary Accommodations form, available on the Orting School District Nutrition Services website.
  • The completed form must include:
    • The student’s full name and school.
    • A detailed description of the medical condition affecting the student’s die
    • Specific food(s) to be omitted and suggested substitutions.
    • A signature from a licensed medical authority.
  • Completed forms should be submitted to the Nutrition Services Department at the
    district office.

2. Processing Requests

  • The Nutrition Services Director reviews submitted forms for completeness.
  • If additional information is required, the director will contact the parent/guardian and/or
  • medical provider.
  • Once approved, the food service team will:
    • Modify the student's meal plan according to the documented needs.
    • Train kitchen staff on necessary modifications and food handling to prevent cross-contamination.
  • A written confirmation of the accommodation will be sent to the parent/guardian.

3. Coordination with School Nurses and District Nursing Contacts

  • The school nurse will assist in reviewing medical documentation and ensuring the dietary needs align with the student’s overall health plan.
  • The nurse will communicate any changes in a student’s medical condition to Nutrition Services.
  • The district nursing contacts for special dietary accommodations are:
    • Sandra Chamberlin, RN – (360) 893-6500 x4039, chamberlins@orting.wednet.edu
    • Deanna Wulff, RN, BSN – (360) 893-6500 x4040, wulffd@orting.wednet.edu
  • The school nurse will collaborate with food service staff to ensure dietary modifications are properly implemented.

4. Training and Implementation

  • Food Service Staff Training:
    • All food service employees will receive training on food allergy management and cross-contact prevention.
    • Staff will be briefed on specific student dietary needs as required.
  • Emergency Preparedness:
    • Staff will follow emergency response procedures in case of an allergic reaction or medical emergency.

5. Review and Compliance

  • Nutrition Services will maintain documentation of all dietary accommodation requests.
  • Requests must be updated annually or when a student’s dietary needs change.
  • Compliance with USDA regulations will be regularly reviewed to ensure the district meets all requirements.

6. Contact Information
For questions or assistance with special dietary accommodations, contact:

By following this SOP, the Orting School District Nutrition Services Department ensures that all students receive safe and appropriate meal accommodations to support their health and well-being.

Effective Date: 3-1-2025 Approved By: Cassie Cornelius, Director of Nutrition
This SOP must be reviewed and updated periodically to maintain compliance with USDA
and OSPI meal service regulations

OSPI Requests and Procedures