School Lunch Guidelines Announced

Newtown public schools today announced its policy for determining eligibility of children who may receive free or reduced price meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs or free milk served under the Special Milk Program

Local school officials have adopted the following family size and income criteria for determining eligibility:

Children from families whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals or free milk. Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents. To apply for free or reduced price meals or free milk, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office at each school. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purposes of determining eligibility, and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Application forms for food stamp/TFA households require the child’s name, the child’s food stamp/TFA case number, and the signature of an adult household member. Application forms for all other households require a statement of total household income, household size, and names of all household members. The social security number of an adult household member must be included or a statement that the household member does not possess one. The adult household member must also sign the application certifying that the information provided is correct. Households are required to report increases in household income of over $50 per month or $600 per year and decreases in household size. Termination of food stamp or TFA benefits must be reported. In certain cases, foster children are also eligible for these benefits. If a family has a foster child living with them who is a legal ward of the State of Connecticut, that child is considered a family of one, and monthly personal income from the State must be reported. Under the provisions of the policy Jacqueline Kulikowski will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the approving official on an informal basis. If he/she wishes to make a formal appeal, a request either orally or in writing may be made to Mr Ronald Bienkowski, business manager, Newtown Board of Education, 11 Queen St, Newtown, CT 06470, 426-7619, for a hearing to appeal the decision. If a household member becomes unemployed or if household size changes at any time, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for reduced price meals, free meals, or free milk, if the family income falls at or below the levels shown above.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202/720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 02050-9410 or call 202/720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.