Dear Parent/Guardian:

The Kennett Consolidated School District offers a choice of healthy meals and serves milk each school day. Children may buy

• Breakfast: for $1.25. Eligible children may receive breakfast free or at a reduced price of $0.25
• Lunch: for $2.25 (Elementary) $2.50 (Middle/High School). Eligible children may receive lunch free or at a reduced price of $0.40
• Kindergarten Snack: Milk with snack for $0.50. Eligible children may receive free milk and snack. Note: On this program No reduced price.

All meals served must meet guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If a child has been determined by a physician to be disabled and the disability would prevent the child from eating the regular school meal, the school will make any substitutions prescribed by the doctor. If a substitution is required, there will be no extra charge for the meal. Please note that a substitution is not required for a food allergy, unless it meets the definition of a disability. If you believe your child requires a substitution because of a disability, please contact us for further information.

How do I get Free or Reduced price school meals for my child?

You must complete one (1) Meal Benefit Application for all the children in your family enrolled in the school district every year. Applications will be processed yearly to determine eligibility. This year: Please return to the Cafeteria Cashier by September 10, 2004. If not returned by date stated – Student is expected to bring money to purchase meals in the cafeteria. Results of the application review process will be sent home with your child.

Mandatory: The application must be signed by a parent or guardian and the previous month’s Gross Income of the family reported on the form for your application to be considered in the eligibility review process.

HOW TO APPLY

• Households receiving SNAP (Food Stamps) or TANF only have to include your child (ren)’s name(s) and the 9 digit SNAP or TANF case number, and an adult signature for the application to be complete. The 9 digit case number is the number sent to you by the County Assistance Office. You cannot use the numbers on your Medical Assistance or EBT Access Cards.
• Households that do not receive SNAP or TANF must include the names of all household members, the amount of income each member received last month and where the income came from. An adult household member must sign the application and include their social security number, or indicate that they don’t have a social security number.
• Households with a foster child must include the foster child’s name and the amount of “personal use” income the child received last month.
• An adult must sign the application.

Will the application be verified?

Your eligibility may be checked at any time during the school year. When an application is SELECTED FOR verification school officials will ask you to send income information that shows that your child(ren) should get free or reduced price meals. 

Can I appeal the school’s decision concerning whether or not my child (ren) is/are eligible for free or reduced price meals?

You may talk to school officials if you do not agree with the school's decision on your application or the results of verification. You also may request for a fair hearing. You may do this by calling 610-444-7725.

Must I report changes?

If your child (ren) receives free or reduced price meals because of your income, you must notify the school if your household size decreases or your income increases by more than $50 per month or $600 per year. If your child (ren) receive(s) free school meals because your household receives SNAP (Food Stamps) or TANF, you must notify us when you no longer receive these benefits. You may complete another Meal Benefit application form to report your income to determine your household eligibility.

Will information on my application be kept confidential?

We will use the information on your application to decide if your child(ren) are eligible to receive free or reduced price meals. We may inform officials connected with Federal Programs, such as Title I, the National Assessment of Educational Programs, services provided by the Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1990, State education programs, such as the Pennsylvania System of State Assessment; of the information on your application to determine benefits for those programs for funding and/or evaluation purposes.

Can I apply for free or reduced price school meals later?

You may apply for free or reduced price school meals at any time during the school year. If you are not eligible now but have a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, become unemployed or begin to receive SNAP or TANF, complete a Meal Benefit Application at that time.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of all program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at 215-720-2600 (voice and TDD)

To file complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14 TH and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

We will let you know if your application for free or reduced price meals is approved or denied.

Sincerely,

Dr. Barry Tomasetti,  Superintendent