Terrebonne Parish School District, Child Nutrition Program, today, announced that it will participate in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program.

Breakfast will be offered starting on Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at a cost of $1.00 for paid breakfast and $0.30 for reduced breakfast. Lunch will be offered starting on, Monday, August 7, 2017, at a cost of $1.80 for PreK to 4th grade and $2.05 for 5th to 12th grade for paid lunch and $0.40 for reduced lunch. The Child Nutrition Program follows the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act when planning school meals. You may view the Terrebonne Parish School Wellness Policy H-3.6g on our web site: https://www.tpsd.org.

On, Tuesday, August 1, 2017, the Child Nutrition Program will begin processing family applications at 340 Saint Charles Street, Building #3, Houma, LA. The following income criteria will be used for determining eligibility:

School lunch

Application forms are being sent to homes that are not participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, along with a letter to households. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households should fill out one application for the household and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at each school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. The information provided by the household is confidential; it will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Information may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.

All children in households with any household member receiving benefits under Assistance Programs such as: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) or Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are eligible for free meals. For school officials to determine eligibility, each household that is now receiving benefits from Assistance Programs must provide the case number of a household member as well as the signature of an adult household member.

All other households must provide the following information on the application: names of all household members; the amount of income (before deductions for taxes, Social Security, etc.) each household member receives; how often the person receives the income; where it is from, such as wages, retirement, or welfare; the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct; and the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signed the application, or a statement that the household member does not possess one.

Children categorized as foster, homeless, runaway, migrant, or enrolled in state-funded Head Start or Even Start programs, if known, are automatically eligible for free meals. School officials will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the program office and notify the household of their eligibility for benefits. The household must notify the school if it chooses to decline benefits. The household should complete an application if they are not notified of free meal eligibility by: August 7, 2017.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for meal benefits and an updated meal application should be forwarded to the Child Nutrition Program.

Students who do not qualify for free meals are expected to pay for their meals, and prepayment is required. Terrebonne Parish School Board has implemented a prepayment procedure whereby “NO CHARGING” is allowed. Payment for meals can be made in the cafeteria with envelopes stating child’s name or on-line at https://www.myschoolbucks.com.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced price policy, Child Nutrition Program will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the application, he may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, he may either oral or written response to the Hearing Official.

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Information

Students at the following schools are eligible to participate in a new Community Eligibility Provision. This program is part of the Healthy, Hunger Free Act of 2010, which allows the school district to provide a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge to the students at the following sites for each school day during the 2017-18 school year.

CEP Schools

Acadian Elementary

Bayou Black Elementary

Broadmoor Elementary

Caldwell Middle

Coteau

Bayou Blue Elem.

Dularge Elementary

East Houma Elementary

Ellender High

Elysian Fields Middle

Gibson Elementary

Grand Caillou Elementary

Grand Caillou Middle

Honduras Elementary

Lacache Middle

Legion Park Elementary

Lisa Park Elementary

Montegut Elementary

Oaklawn Jr. High

Oakshire Elementary

Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elem.

Schriever Elementary

Upper Little Caillou Elem.

Villlage East Middle School for Exceptional Children

Southdown Primary/Southdown Upper Elementary

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Students at the schools above will receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge to your household each day of the 2017-18 school year.

If a parent or guardian should have any questions, please contact the Child Nutrition Office at (985) 876-7407.

“In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

COURTESY