Page 3 - 2015 Back To School

Schools announce free or reduced meal policies
Eligibility is determined by household income and numbers
Union County school officials and pre- school programs announce their school policy for providing free and reduced price meals for children served under the National School Lunch program and School Breakfast Program.
Only one application should be submitted for each household. Household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced price ben- efits.
To be eligible for free meals, a house- hold of one person cannot have an annual income of more than $15,301, a monthly income of $1,265, or a weekly income of $295.
For each additional household member, add $5,408 to the annual income, $450 to the monthly income or $104 to the weekly income.
To be eligible for reduced price meals, a household of one person cannot have an annual income of more than $21,775, a monthly income of $1,815, or a weekly income of $419.
To determine eligibility for reduced price meals for each additional household mem- ber, add $7,696 for each person to the annu- al income; $641 to the monthly income or $148 for the weekly income.
Children certified as homeless, migrant or runaway from the district are eligible for free meals.
Children who are members of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the former food stamp program, households are automatically eligible for free meals. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court may also be eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.
Children who are members of a Head Start/Even Start program are categorically eligible for free meals.
Eligibility for the foster child is based on the child's income. The process for receiv- ing free or reduced meals depends on the
school attended. Children in a household that received WIC may be eligible for ben- efits. An application must be completed for determination of eligibility.
The El Dorado School District does a direct certification in which the state sends the school a list of individuals who automat- ically qualify, due to receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Some students who receive SNAP bene- fits will not show up on the list send from the state because the names on the lists are different. The Child
Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 2004 authorizes the certification of free and reduced price meal benefits for the entire school year.
The household is no longer required to notify the school district when the household income increas- es, the household is no longer eligi- ble for food SNAP or if the number of household members decreases.
However, this change
does not apply under
the following circum-
stances: the original
eligibility certification
was incorrect, the ver-
ification of eligibility does
not support the benefits received or the household has been temporarily approved for benefits. A household may submit an application any time of the year if the new application would qualify them for increased benefits.
If the household submits an application later in the year that would decrease the benefits, the district may give the family the option to continue with approved benefits
or choose reduced benefits or the district may decide the eligibility for increased benefits established at the beginning of the school year is good for the entire year and no action will be taken on the second application.
Most El Dorado students will receive a letter of direct certification from the school district prior to the beginning of the school
year.
Children who are enrolled
in Head Start/Even Start pro- grams are categorically eligible for free meals. In El Dorado, con- tact Estelle Fox or Grace George at 870-864-5134 with questions regard- ing Head Start/Even Start meal benefits. If they do not receive the certi- fication and are eligible, the family will need to fill out the free or reduced lunch form. School officials will noti- fy households of their eligibility and the households must notify the school when they no longer receive
food SNAP. Households noti-
fied of the eligi- bility but who do not want their children to receive free meals must contact the school. For more information, call the El Dorado School Administration Office at 870-864- 5001. Union County Schools other than El Dorado, use application forms which are distributed by the school with a letter informing the households of the availability of free and reduced price meals for their
children.
Application are also available at the prin-
cipal's office in each school. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households must fill out the application and return it to the school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of deter- mining eligibility and verification data. Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by school officials.
For school officials to determine eligi- bility for free and reduced price benefits, households receiving food stamps should only list their child's name and food stamp case number and an adult household mem- ber must sign the application.
Households who do not list a food stamp case number must list the names of all household members, the amount and the source of the income received by each household member and the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application.
A household may submit an application anytime during the school year.
Reduced meals are 40 cents for lunch and 30 cents for breakfast.
The price for a paid lunch at El Dorado is $1.80 and 70 cents for breakfast.
The price for a paid lunch at Junction City is $1.75 through the sixth grade and $2 for older students; breakfast is $1.
The price for a paid lunch at Parkers Chapel is $2 and $1 for breakfast.
The price for a paid lunch at Smackover- Norphlet is $2.10 and $1 for breakfast.
The price for a paid lunch at Strong- Huttig is $2 and $1 for breakfast.
Each school's superintendent's office number follows:
El Dorado: 870-864-5000
Junction City: 870-924-4590
Parkers Chapel: 870-862-4641 Smackover-Norphlet: 870-725-3132 Strong-Huttig: 870-797-7322
F.A.C.T., Inc. Nutrition Coordinator:
870-862-4545.
El Dorado NEWS-TIMES – Friday, August 14, 2015 – 3
How to make school lunches healthier
The benefits of a healthy diet are clear and well doc- umented. In addition to pro- viding the nutrients a grow- ing body needs, consuming a balanced diet helps children maintain a healthy weight. Obesity continues to be a growing problem among school-aged children and can contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes, heart dis- ease, high cholesterol, and many other adverse medical conditions.Children attend- ing school will eat at least one meal away from home each day. A healthy lunch provides sound nutrition to give students energy to do well in school and for the rest of the day. Children who do not eat well at lunch may have difficulty concentrat- ing, while others may feel sluggish or tired.
As part of the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, the United States National School Lunch Program was revised to guarantee healthy, nutritionally sound choices, as established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for lunch. America’s school menus were altered to be healthier than ever, includ- ing more fruits and vegeta- bles while limiting calories. Despite some controversy through the years, includ- ing some students saying the smaller portions and food choices aren’t always satisfying, states suffering from high child obesity rates have seen marked improve- ments. Canada is one of the few leading industri- alized countries that does not have a national nutri-
tion strategy to implement healthy school lunches. It’s estimated that only 10 to 15 percent of Canadian chil- dren have access to school meals. These meals are not provided by a well-funded national program, but by a patchwork of individual vol- unteer efforts, some provin- cial government funding and corporate donations.
Whether students pur- chase lunch from school or bring lunch from home, there are ways to guarantee a more diverse offering and better nutrition. Here are some guidelines to follow.
Offer nutrient-dense foods
Foods should contribute to the daily recommended amounts of protein, iron, calcium, vitamin A, and vita- min C. Provide a selection of foods, such as lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and veg- etables, that will give chil- dren the nutrients they need. Nutrient-dense foods also help kids feel fuller, longer.
Limit fat intake
Avoid foods that do not get their fat from polyunsatu- rated and monounsaturated fats. Saturated fats can lead to obesity and clogged arter- ies. The American Heart Association recommends kids get no more than 25 to 35 percent of their calo- ries from fat. Fish, nuts and olives are healthy fat sourc- es.
Let kids choose some of their food
Allow kids to pick some of the healthy foods they will be eating. Giving kids a say in their diets will make
them more likely to enjoy their lunches and cut back on snack foods. Eating meals regularly will keep energy levels up during school and make kids less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks to fill hunger gaps.
Make small changes that add up
Switching from white bread to whole grain breads, and opting for low-fat dairy products instead of full-fat dairy products can make a world of difference. Kids may not notice a change in texture or flavor, and many of kids’ favorite foods, such as chicken nuggets, pizza and macaroni and cheese, can be made with healthier ingredients.
Remember, beverages count, too
Giving children a healthy lunch and then packing a sugar-filled, high-calorie drink negates your efforts. Calories from beverages can quickly add up. Water is always the best option for a healthy drink. Low-fat milk and real fruit juice con- sumed in moderation also make healthy alternatives to sugary beverages.
Offering healthy school lunches is an important step to raising healthy kids. New guidelines and offerings make it easier for kids to get the nutrition they need for their growing bodies.
200 E. 5th St.
El Dorado 870-863-5447 www.youseemore.com/barton
Easy Swap: This school lunch can be made more healthy by swapping the white bread with whole grain bread and choosing low-fat milk over a sugary juice pouch.
(Week of Aug. 17-21, all meals served with milk)
El Dorado Schools Monday
Breakfast: —
Lunch: Chicken Pot Pie, Corn, Hamburger, Salad, Fruit, Juice
Tuesday
Breakfast: Donut, Breakfast Pizza, Cereal, Fruit, Juice
Lunch: Spaghetti, Beef Taco, Pizza, Mexican Rice, Fruit
Wednesday
Breakfast: Biscuit and Sausage, Breakfast
Pizza, Cereal, Fruit, Juice
Lunch: Broccoli and Cheesy Potato Casserole Quesadilla, Fruit
Thursday
Breakfast: Pancakes, Donut, Cereal, Fruit, Juice
Lunch: Chef Salad, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Broccoli, Fruit
Friday
Breakfast: Muffin, Sausage Biscuit, Cereal, Fruit, Juice
Lunch: Sloppy Joe, Chicken Tenders, Salad, Fruit
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