Exemplary Friendswood ISD intermediate schools were recognized on April 8, as Galveston County Health District observed National Public Health Week and National Immunization Week.

Bales and Windsong Intermediate cafeteria staffs were honored with the Gold Ribbon Award for Excellent Food Service Operators during a ceremony at the Wayne Johnson community center in La Marque. Galveston county commissioners Stephen Holmes and Brian Lamb were present to congratulate the 66 award recipients.

According to the Health District, Gold ribbon award criteria includes the following: the establishment must actually prepare food, maintain a record of satisfactory food temperatures, must have no confirmed food borne illness complaints, must have at least one certified food service manager employed, must have no significant number of demerits from inspections, must have a good cleaning and maintenance program, have evidence of staff discussions or training, and show special effort to comply with the rules by the use of food safety aids.

Health district sanitarians inspect more than 1,500 licensed food service operations in Galveston County to assure food safety and protect the health of consumers. Food service inspection scores and a complete list of 2010 gold ribbon award winners can be found on the district’s web site at Gchd.org. For full details regarding the award and to see photos of the special staff that serve our children so well each school day, visit the FISD web site at Fisdk12.net.

To help better support our food service staff and make suggestions to improve our children’s meal experiences at school, you can participate in a food services survey online. The survey will also be used to help build menus, food station concepts. Visit www.studentvp.com/friendswood to take the survey and earn a free cookie!