12/1 C.A.R.E. - School Meal Programs Newsletter

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 12/02/2025 08:37 AM PST

School Meal Programs C.A.R.E.: Week of 12/1

Update: Financial Reports Due This Month!
Update: CNS Appeal Procedures
Reminder: Virtual Final Rule Best Practice Sharing Sessions
Reminder: School Meal Programs Monthly Webinars and Other Training Opportunities
Resource Roundup: New Offer vs Serve Training Videos!
Important Dates to Remember

Update: Financial Reports Due This Month!

Private schools and residential child care institutions (RCCIs) participating in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs are required to complete and submit a Child Nutrition Financial Report (CNFR) annually. This includes sponsors that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Special Milk Program (SMP). Public school districts do not need to submit the CNFR.

The CNFR reports the net resources for state fiscal year ending 2025 (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025). The report is filed in Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS) and is due by December 31, 2025.

Private schools and RCCIs who do not submit their CNFR in WINS by December 31 will receive a claim error when submitting claims after this date. Claims will remain in error status until the CNFR is in submitted status

Resources

The CNFR Reference Sheet provides details regarding the data that needs to be reported.
The Submitting the CNFR Information Sheet provides instructions on how to submit your report in WINS.

Questions? Contact your OSPI CNS School Meals Program Specialist.

Update: CNS Appeal Procedures

Appeal procedures give USDA Child Nutrition Program sponsors an avenue to appeal when the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) takes adverse administrative action as required by federal regulations.

These procedures specify what actions are appealable and to what programs they apply. Appeal procedures are included in final letters summarizing Administrative Review findings and are available on OSPI's webpages.

Questions? Please contact your School Meal Program Specialist.

Upcoming Trainings

Resource Management: Tools & Rules for Managing Program Finances | Virtual

Date: December 4, 2025
Time: 2–3 pm

Final Rule Best Practice Sharing Session | Virtual

Expanded Geographic Preference
Date: December 11
Time: 2–3 pm

USDA Food Show — Registration Open

University Place
Date: January 26, 2026
Time: 8 am – 2 pm

Spokane
Date: January 30, 2026
Time: 8 am – 2 pm

School Year 2025–26 Monthly Webinar Series

Monthly, September through June.

Reminder: Virtual Final Rule Best Practice Sharing Sessions

Join this virtual session to discuss implementation of the expanded geographic preference option. This session includes review of key topics covered in last spring's Final Rule workshops and time for participants to share experiences and best practices with each other in breakout rooms.

Register Here – Expanded Geographic Preference
Date: December 11
Time: 2–3 pm

Reminder: School Meal Programs Monthly Webinars and Other Training Opportunities

Program operators offering the NSLP and SBP during SY 2025–26 are encouraged to join for the OSPI monthly webinars.

OSPI will discuss annual program requirements, new policy guidance, important reminders, Summer-EBT uploads, and provide an opportunity to ask questions.

Register for the School Meal Programs Monthly Webinars here!

Next Webinar: January 8, 2026

Time: 2–3 pm

Please note: Register once to receive updates and reminders for each webinar.

Other Training Opportunities

Resource Management: Tools & Rules for Managing Program Finances
- Register Here – December 4 | 2–3:30 pm

Recorded and interactive, online trainings about program requirements, such as meal pattern, Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), and Meals for Washington Students (HB 1238), are available on the School Meal Programs Canvas Course. Please note, you must have a Canvas account to access these trainings.

Resource Roundup: New Offer vs Serve Training Videos!

Two new training videos about Offer versus Serve are now available. The target audience for these short videos is non-food-service staff who help provide breakfast and lunch meals. These videos explain a reimbursable meal under Offer versus Serve (OVS).

Important Dates to Remember

December 4	Resource Management: Tools & Rules for Managing Program Finances \| 2 pm
December 11	Best Practices Sharing Session \| Register Here
December 15	November Claims due in WINS by 2pm
December 30	October 60-day Deadline

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

ADA NOTIFICATION FOR OSPI CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES EVENTS
To arrange accommodations for persons with disabilities for OSPI Child Nutrition Services events, please contact the Child Nutrition Services Team at 360-725-6200, TTY 360-664-3631, or by email, child.nutrition@k12.wa.us at least three business days before the event. Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require OSPI to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6162 (TTY: 360-664-3631), equity@k12.wa.us.

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.