Next school year, all students at Washington Court House City Schools will eat for free.
At a recent school board meeting, the WCHCS Board of Education unanimously voted to implement the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program for the 2024-25 school year, providing free breakfast and lunch to all Blue Lions, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
This decision underscores the district’s continued commitment to ensuring that all students have access to nutritious meals. By eliminating the financial barrier, the district aims to promote a healthier and more inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Under the CEP program, all students enrolled at WCHCS will automatically qualify for free breakfast and lunch. This initiative not only simplifies the process for families but also eliminates the stigma sometimes associated with receiving free or reduced-price meals.
Dr. Tom Bailey, Superintendent, expressed enthusiasm about the district's new initiative, stating, "Ensuring that our students have access to nutritious meals is essential for their overall well-being and academic success. By offering free breakfast and lunch to all Blue Lions, we are removing barriers and fostering an environment where every child can focus on learning and reaching their full potential."
The decision to implement the CEP program follows careful consideration by the district's administration and school board, with a focus on equity and the best interests of the student body, while maintaining a commitment to fiscal responsibility for the taxpayers. Schools participating in CEP are reimbursed based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals through specific means-tested programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), as explained by the USDA.
This initiative marks another significant step by WCHCS in addressing child hunger in the community. Through their efforts with the Big Blue Bus, the district has been serving free breakfast and lunch through the USDA's summer food service program since 2019. Since its inception, the program has provided over half a million free meals to children across Fayette County.
By offering free meals during the school year, the district is further bolstering their efforts to address food insecurity and promote student wellness.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What is the USDA's Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, and how does it work?
The USDA's Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program allows eligible schools or school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students, regardless of their individual family's income. Schools participating in CEP are reimbursed based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals through specific means-tested programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Why is Washington Court House City Schools implementing the CEP program?
Washington Court House City Schools is implementing the CEP program to ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals without financial barriers. By offering free breakfast and lunch to all Blue Lions, regardless of their socioeconomic status, the district aims to promote a healthier and more inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
How will the CEP program affect my child's meals next school year?
Starting in the 2024-25 school year, all students enrolled at Washington Court House City Schools will automatically qualify for free breakfast and lunch. This initiative aims to simplify the process for families and eliminate any stigma associated with receiving free or reduced-price meals.
Will there be any changes to the menu or meal quality under the CEP program?
No, there will be no changes to the menu or meal quality under the CEP program. Students will continue to enjoy nutritious and balanced meals prepared by the district's food service team.
Will I still need to fill out any forms for my student to receive a free meal?
While filling out forms will not be necessary to receive a meal, families must continue to complete all forms on OneView as usual. The completion of these forms and the collection of this data is essential for WCHCS to maintain qualification for the CEP program.
What should I do if my child has a negative balance on their meal account from the current school year?
As the CEP program does not go into effect until the 2024-25 school year and cannot be retroactively applied to previous meals, all negative balances from the current school year must be paid in full.
What should I do if my child has a positive balance on their meal account at the end of the current school year?
Any positive balances remaining on a student's MySchoolBucks lunch account will be refunded in the near future, unless other outstanding fees are still owed. As this implementation is a comprehensive process, we thank you for your patience as we work through all of the steps, to include issuing refunds.
How will the district ensure that the implementation of the CEP program does not impact other areas of the school budget or resources?
The district has conducted thorough financial planning to ensure that the implementation of the CEP program does not negatively impact other areas of the school budget or resources. Funding for the program is provided through federal reimbursements based on student eligibility, minimizing the strain on the district's finances. Additionally, the district remains committed to fiscal responsibility and will closely monitor the program's financial impact to ensure its sustainability without compromising other essential resources or programs.
How can I learn more about the CEP program and its impact on students?
For more information about the CEP program and its impact on students at Washington Court House City Schools, please check out the following resources: