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Special Dietary Needs Protocol

  1. Magnolia School District follows all federal and state requirements for accommodating students with special dietary needs; USDA regulations; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  2. Schools make modifications to school meals only when families provide the appropriate medical statement completed in its entirety.
  3. For children whose disabilities restrict their diets, schools provide modified meals based on a medical statement signed by a recognized medical authority, i.e., licensed physician.
    • The child’s disability and an explanation of why the disability restricts the child’s diet;
    • The major life activity affected by the disability; and
    • The food or foods to be omitted from the child’s diet and the food or choice of foods that must be substituted.
  4. For nondisabled children with special dietary needs schools provide modified meals on a case by-case basis based on a medical statement signed by a recognized medical authority, i.e. licensed physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse. This statement always includes;
    • An identification of the medical or other special dietary need that restricts the child’s diet; and 
    • The food or foods to be omitted from the child’s diet and the food or choice of food that may be substituted.
  5. Fluid Milk substitutions may be offered for students with a medical or other special dietary need; that do not rise to the level of a disability.
    • Fluid milk substitutions must be nutritionally adequate to fluid milk, juice or water is not allowed as a substitution for students without a disability.
    • Milk substitution form may be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
  6. Dietary substitutions may be offered for students with philosophical or religious reasons. This form is not intended to accommodate students with taste preferences. It is up to the discretion of the Magnolia School district if they are able to accommodate those requests.
    • Philosophical or religious dietary form may be signed by a parent or legal guardian

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:

USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

mail: U.S. Department of AgricultureWashington, D.C. 20250-9410fax: (202) 690-7442 emailprogram.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.