Frequently Asked Questions: Keys to Excellence, District of Excellence, and District of the Year
Keys to Excellence, District of Excellence, and District of the Year are all components of the Keys to Excellence national best practice standards program. Keys to Excellence are the best practice standards. The District of Excellence Distinction is SNA's formal recognition program for they meet the Keys to Excellence best practice standards. Any school district that meets the criteria may become a District of Excellence through a non-competetive application process.The District of the Year Award is available to one school district each year through a competitive proposal process. To be eligible for District of the Year, a school district must first earn the District of Excellence Distinction.
Application Procedures
District of Excellence Distinction
District of the Year Award
Do we have to apply for the District of Excellence Distinction or can we just complete the self-assessment?
You may just complete the self-assessment and opt not to apply for the distinction; however, in order to be considered for the distinction, you must then apply. It is not automatic.
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Do we have to get a particular score on the self-assessment to be eligible to apply for the District of Excellence Distinction?
Previously, SNF required a minimum score of 80% in all four key areas. However, this has been changed and there is no minimum score required. The purpose of the self-assessment is to critically access one's district rather than to get a particular score. Please note that the District of Excellence application is comprehensive, and the district must demonstrate the best practices through the documentation submitted to receive the distinction. While there is no minimum score, SNF recommends that the self-assessment scores are at least 90% in all key areas based on a candid review of the school nutrition program operations. SNF recommends that applicants review the application in its entirety and that areas noted as not meeting best practices be corrected prior to applying for the greatest probability of success.
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If we mistakenly fail to submit all required components can we be contacted and still considered for the Distinction and Award?
Applications that are incomplete will not be evaluated. The applicant will receive a response letter acknowledging the incomplete items. An application may be at the next application deadline.
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Will I have the opportunity to submit missing or incomplete documentation after my District of Excellence application is received by SNA? Will I be advised exactly how it is incomplete or insufficient?
No, you will be notified that your application is incomplete and that you may resubmit an application in one year. Similar to many national award and recognition programs, the responsibility for ensuring the application is complete should be that of the applicant. A checklist is in the application to assist the applicant in ensuring that all items are included.
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Do I have to be a member of SNA to complete the Keys self-assessment and be eligible for the Distinction and Award?
SNA membership is not required to complete the Keys self-assessment. SNA membership is required to be eligible for the Distinction and the Award.
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Can I submit an application if I am not the director in my district?
Yes, SNF does occasionally receive applications from individuals other than the director, typically someone else at the central office. The applicant however, must be an SNA member.
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Why are some of the questions about membership, certification, and credentialing directed to the district director?
Because the District of Excellence Distinction and the District of the Year Award target the entire district nutrition program, SNA requires that the director of the district be an SNA member and either SNA certified or SNS credentialed. Because the applicant may not be the director, the questions ask specifically about the director.
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What is the purpose of submitting all the documentation?
SNF’s peer review panel will evaluate the documentation to determine if a district really does demonstrate achievement of best practices. Since the online assessment is a self-assessment, SNF requires documentation to ensure that districts do meet the criteria.
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What is the purpose of the indicators listed in the application?
The indicators demonstrate the key information that the peer review panel will be looking for in the documentation that is submitted within the application.
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What if I do not have documentation for one of the indicators on the application because I do not do that in my district?
All documentation selected was based on realistic criteria for any district that might apply. If the way that you document an item differs, submit whatever documentation you have that meets the indicators and include a brief statement at the top of that particular documentation item explaining what you are submitting and why.
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What if I have less than five examples of marketing or nutrition education?
A district that truly demonstrates best practices in these areas should have five distinct examples. If you have less than five examples, your application will not be scored as meeting these best practices.
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My district received a CRE or SMI four years ago. Is this okay?
Submit your most recent CRE or SMI. SNF understands that this may be several years old. If you have any questions or concerns, contact SNF prior to submitting your application.
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I want to submit an application, but I did not work in the district during the last school year. Is this okay?
Although you may submit an application during your first year in a district, SNF strongly recommends that you wait until you have been in the district for at least one school year prior to applying. As a new director, you may implement changes that would make your application stronger the next year. Should you still decide to apply, submit an application including documentation from the district from the previous school year as necessary even if you were not working in the district at that time.
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Do I have to submit the application within any particular amount of time?
SNA offers two application deadlines per year. Any applications received on or before each deadline will be considered. Please note that the application will likely take 60-90 days to complete. Applicants are advised to read the application in its entirety with sufficient time to gather and compile data. It may be helpful to begin working on the letter of support well in advance to ensure that the deadline is met.
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Should I organize the application in a particular way?
The application includes specific instructions on organizing the application. The peer review panel may opt not to review applications that do not follow the organizational instructions specified in the application.
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Should I submit the District of the Year application with the District of Excellence application?
No. All districts that receive the District of Excellence Distinction will receive the District of the Year Award application.
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Will I get my application back?
SNF will not return application materials. Please make a complete copy of your materials prior to sending them.
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Do I have to be a member of SNA to apply for District of Excellence Distinction?
Yes.
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Do I have to certified or credentialed to receive the District of Excellence Distinction? Why or why not?
The applicant and director of the district should be certified or credentialed to receive the District of Excellence distinction. SNA certification/credentialing are recognized as a best practice and are advocated by many organizations.
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Once my district receives the District of Excellence distinction how long is it good for? Will we need to reapply?
The distinction is given for 3 years. SNF will notify you at the end of your three-year period. At that time, you will need to complete the online self-assessment again and reapply according to the same process as the first time.
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Are there different levels of District of Excellence distinction like in the USDA HealthierUS challenge, such as gold, silver and bronze?
No, there is just one level of District of Excellence distinction. All criteria were developed to be equally achievable regardless of district size or geographic location.
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Who makes the decision whether my district receives the District of Excellence Distinction?
All District of Excellence applications will be reviewed by a review panel composed of SNA members with sufficient experience and expertise to fairly evaluate applications.
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If I did not receive the District of Excellence Distinction after I submitted my application do I have to complete the Keys assessment again before I reapply?
The assessment is not required for the District of Excellence application. However, the assessment is intended to be a tool for self-improvement. If your application was not considered to reflect best practices, SNF recommends that you review self-assessment questions and indicators again and carefully consider them before reapplying.
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How soon after I submit my application will I be advised whether my district is a District of Excellence?
Notifications will be sent approximately 8 weeks after each application deadline. The fall application deadline is November 30. The spring application deadline is March 31.
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Do I have to be certified or credentialed to receive the District of the Year Award? Why or why not?
The applicant and director of the district should be certified or credentialed to receive the District of Excellence distinction. SNA certification/credentialing is recognized as a best practice and advocated by many organizations.
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If I apply for and do not receive the Award this year can I reapply? How do I reapply?
You will need to resubmit an entirely new District of Excellence application during each year in which you intend to apply for the District of the Year Award. Because the scoring for the District of the Year Award reflects information contained in the District of Excellence application, the information needs to be current in order to be considered for the Award.
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Who selects the district for the District of the Year Award?
The same peer review panel that evaluates District of Excellence applications will evaluate the grant proposals for the District of the Year Award. This peer review panel will determine the District of the Year Award winner.
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If I win the District of the Year Award am I eligible to apply for it again? What if I change districts?
The District of the Year Award is a district-based award. Each district may receive the award only once. Should you move to a new district and apply again, you may win on behalf of the new district. Should you move to a district that has already won the award, you may not apply on behalf of that district again.
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Are there any criteria for using the grant award?
Suggestions on using the grant award are included in the District of the Year Award proposal. The grant award must be used within one year of receiving the award.
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