May 9, 2022
Please see below for an important update regarding meals for the 2022-2023 school year. This communication should be considered formal notice that free school meals are ending this summer.
That means starting in the Fall of 2022, parents/guardians will again be responsible for paying for school meals.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress approved full funding for school meals for every student in 2021. Recently, Congress voted AGAINST covering school meal costs going forward. Congress also did not grant waivers that provide schools extra revenue to help with rising food costs. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 was signed into law (public law 117-103) on March 15, 2022. This means that, unless Congress takes action:
What does this mean for Edgemont student/families? In short, we will return to paid, free, and/or reduced priced meals based on student eligibility. Below are FAQ’s and more detailed information.
Students will need to pay for their meals on the first day of school (August 22, 2022) unless they have carryover benefits from the 2021-22 school year. What are carryover benefits?
A student with carryover benefits can rely on the previous school year’s eligibility for 30 days of the current school year, meaning for the first 30 days of school, the student receives meals at the previous year’s eligibility status. Example: a student who qualifies for reduced priced meals in the 21-22 school year will have carryover benefits for the first 30 days of school in SY 22-23 so that they receive meals at the reduced price.
Students will need to pay for their meals on the first day of school (August 22, 2022), unless they have carryover benefits from the 2021-22 school year. What students will qualify for carryover benefits in the 2022-23 school year?
Students who currently receive SNAP/TANF benefits in the current 2021-22 school year or
Students who have an approved Free or Reduced-Price Meal application on file in the current 2021-22 school year. Without carryover benefits, students will be required to pay for their meals on the first day of school.
IMPORTANT: If you believe your family meets the income eligibility requirements to qualify for Free or Reduced School Meals, Please fill out the 2021-22 form NOW and return to the school ASAP. The new form for the fall will not be available until mid-July. However; filling out the current form now allows a 30-day grace period in the fall, giving you more time to complete it for the 2022-23 school year.
If you believe your student(s) will qualify for free and reduced-price meals next school year (2022-23) and you have not already completed an application this year, please complete an application before the end of this school year (2022-22) to ensure your student receives carry-over benefits at the beginning of next year. How do families complete an application?
Applications are available to print at this link.
What are the meal prices for the 2022-23 school year? These are yet to be determined and will be published on as soon as they are determined.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Business Office at 605-662-7254 with questions. Thank you.
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Elementary milk/juice break
K-6 students can purchase milk/juice for snack time at .45 cents per day. This money is to be paid in advance to the administrative office or classroom teacher. It is approximately $7.20 for a month. The classroom teacher will send a note home when more is needed on the account.