Excerpt:
The Crestwood School District began serving halal meat as an option on its lunch menu this week, after years of repeated concerns over accommodating the dietary needs of the growing Muslim student population in the district. Arab Americans account for more than 62 percent of the entire district's student body.
Starting this school year, the district will be serving halal chicken patties, which are offered every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at all elementary schools and everyday at Riverside Middle School and Crestwood High School.
The Council on American Islamic Relations of Michigan (CAIR-MI) Safe Spaces Coordinator Warda Kalim worked with the district, namely the district's Food Service Director Lori Squire and also discussed a range of other issues facing minorities with Superintendent Dr. Laurine VanValkenburg. Kalim said the discussions were positive, and CAIR-MI looks forward to building a continuing relationship with the district, as it has with other schools.