August 29, 2012 – With the new school year well underway, it’s not too early to begin identifying top performers in your school and district. Look around and take note of those staff members and co-workers who really make a difference. Who are the shining stars? Which individuals always go the extra mile? SNA’s 2013 Awards Program is a perfect platform to highlight their outstanding contributions.

Help spread the word about the SNA Awards Program, so that more of your colleagues are aware of the chance to spotlight the great work each of you do every day!

To learn who is eligible for SNA’s Heart of the Program award, Louise Sublette Award of Leadership Excellence in School Nutrition and the Outstanding Director of the Year award, see “That’s a Neat Idea,” “Ideas at Work” in the August 2012 issue of School Nutrition magazine.

Put your thinking caps on, because the deadlines for nominations will be here before you know it. For additional award details and nomination guidelines, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/awards.

August 28, 2012 – For nearly 30 years, SNA’s School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has been supporting the educational needs of SNA members like you. Thousands of school nutrition professionals have received scholarships to further their careers and gain knowledge so they can continue to nourish the lives of millions of children. With the generous support of members and industry partners, the SNF scholarship program has grown to eight different funds with more than $1.6 million in scholarship awards.

It’s a new school year for your students—and for you! Take a look at the scholarship opportunities designed to help you achieve your professional goals:

• Schwan’s Food Service
  Through an annual donation of $50,000, this scholarship enables SNF to “foster good nutrition in school lunch programs and to improve school foodservice management.” Scholarships of up to $2,500 are awarded; 20 individuals earned scholarships for the coming school year.
• Winston Industries “Build Your Future”
  Scholarships of up to $2,500 are awarded. Twelve recipients earned funding to help their educational dreams in 2012-13.
• SNF Professional Growth
  This program is funded by SNA members through designated fundraising events. Scholarships of up to $2,500 are awarded, and nine recipients received funds for the coming year.
• Kathleen Stitt Award
  A $500 scholarship is presented to one graduate student or faculty member participating in the Child Nutrition Showcase at ANC, and is intended to help defray ANC travel expenses.
• Nancy Curry Award
  Funded by Handgards, Inc., and friends of Nancy Curry, this scholarship is for SNA members employed in school nutrition. One $500 scholarship is awarded per year.
• ANC First Timers Award
  Funded by Winston Industries, this scholarship awards $500 to defer the costs of attending ANC for the first time. Twenty school nutrition professionals were able to attend ANC Denver with these funds.
• GED Jump Start
  This scholarship helps cover the cost for SNA members to attain a GED.
• Winston Industries Equipment Grant
  This program awards equipment to one school district seeking to improve its school meal kitchen facilities.
• In addition, at July’s SNA Annual National Conference (ANC), SNF announced plans to establish the Josephine Martin Endowment to provide funds each year to enable an SNA member to attend the annual Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C., for the first time.

Whatever your reason for going back to school or enhancing your professional development, SNF is dedicated to making your goals attainable. Visit www.schoolnutrition.org/scholarships for additional details about SNF’s scholarships, as well as downloadable applications and submission deadlines.