Mesa County Valley School District #51

Dear Parent or Guardian:

This letter tells you how your children can receive free or reduced-price meals, how much school meals cost, and information on other benefits.

Lunch and breakfast meals are served daily in all Bethel Schools. In order for students to qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a Household Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals must be on file for the current school year. All students living in the same household should be included on one application to determine if they are eligible for free or reduced-price meal benefits. Submit only one application per household. You will be notified in writing telling you if the application was approved or denied. Until then, you will need to send lunch or money with your student to purchase school meals.

Children who qualify for the free and reduced-price meal program will be provided breakfast at NO COST. Children in grades K-3 who quality for reduced priced meals, will also receive lunches at NO COST. All other students (preschool and 4th - 12th grades) will be charged rates shown below.

NEW Meal Prices for 2013-2014 School Year are as follows: Regular-Price Meals Reduced-Price Meals Grade Grade Breakfast Lunch Breakfast Lunch Level Level PK-5 $1.60 $2.50 K-3 Free Free 6-8 $1.75 $3.00 4-5 Free $ .40 9-12 $1.75 $3.00 6-8 Free $ .40 Adult $2.50 $3.75 9-12 Free $ .40

Look at the income chart below. Find your household size. Find your household income. A HOUSEHOLD is defined as all persons, including parents, children, grandparents, and all people, related or unrelated, who live in your home and share living expenses. HOUSEHOLD INCOME is the income each household member currently receives before taxes. This includes wages, social security, pension, unemployment, welfare, child support, alimony, and any other cash income.

FEDERAL INCOME CHART – July 2013 through June 2014 (These Guidelines are Subject to Change) Household Size Weekly Every 2 Weeks Twice a Month Monthly Annual 1 $ 409 $ 818 $ 886 $ 1,772 $ 21,257 2 $ 552 $1,104 $1,196 $ 2,392 $ 28,694 3 $ 695 $1,390 $1,506 $ 3,011 $ 36,131 4 $ 838 $1,676 $1,816 $ 3,631 $ 43,568 5 $ 981 $1,962 $2,126 $ 4,251 $ 51,005 6 $1,124 $2,248 $2,436 $ 4,871 $ 58,442 7 $1,267 $2,534 $2,745 $ 5,490 $ 65,879 8 $1,410 $2,820 $3,055 $ 6,110 $ 73,316 For each additional member add: + $ 144 + $ 287 +$ 310 + $ 620 +$ 7,437

COMPLETE THE HOUSEHOLD APPLICATION FOR FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS IF:  If your total household income is the SAME or LESS than the amount on the chart  You receive Basic Food, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)  You are applying for a foster child(ren) Visit https://emealapps.bethelsd.org to complete the application online. Computers with internet access are available in Child Nutrition Services, the District Office and each school office. To obtain a paper copy of the application, call 253-683-6912. Paper copies are also available in each school kitchen and office. Return paper applications to Child Nutrition Services at: 5410 184th Street E., Puyallup, WA 98375 (located off of Canyon Road), or mail to: Bethel School District, Child Nutrition Services, 516 176th Street E, Spanaway, WA 98387. Allow 10 days for processing.

WHAT MUST BE ON THE APPLICATION: A. Households not receiving Basic Food/TANF/FDPIR: C. Household with only foster child(ren) Student’s name Student’s name Names of all household members Adult household member’s signature Income by source for all household members or The last four digits of the Social Security number of the adult A copy of court documentation showing household member who signs the application foster child (ren) placement with you (or check the box if the signing adult does not have a number) Adult household member’s signature

B. For a Family getting Basic Food or TANF/FDPIR: D. Household with foster and other children List all student names and case numbers where appropriate Apply as a household and include foster children Any household member’s name and case number Follow directions in Section A Adult household member’s signature Include the foster child’s personal use income Do not include foster payments as income

The information you give will be used to determine your child’s eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. Information provided may be verified at any time. You may be asked to send additional information to prove your child is eligible to receive free or reduced-price meal benefits.

Foster children are eligible for free meals regardless of personal use income. If including a foster child as part of the household, you may include the foster child(ren) in the total household size. If so, you must also include the foster child’s personal income. Do not report foster payments as income. Please note that although foster students are categorically eligible to receive free meals, the other students in your household may or may not qualify based on household size and income. If you have questions about applying for meal benefits for foster children, please contact us at (253) 683-6912.

TANF and Basic Food staff at the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) electronically sends a list of children on these programs to the Office of Superintendent to Public Instruction (OSPI). Children on TANF or Basic Food may get free meals without the household having to complete an application. These children are identified by the school using a data matching process. OSPI matches the children on this list to the list of students enrolled in Bethel School District. This matched list is then made available to food service staff in your child’s school. The students on this list will receive free meals. Households that do not want their child (ren) to participate in the free meal program should notify the Bethel School District Child Nutrition Department in writing. For additional questions, please call 253-683-6912.

All school meals meet federal nutrition guidelines. Students identified as disabled by their doctor may need different foods. Substitutions will be made when a child’s doctor fills out the necessary paperwork. If your child needs this assistance, please contact the Child Nutrition Office at (253) 683-6912.

You may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year. If you are not eligible now, but later have a decrease in household income, an increase in family size, become unemployed, or qualify for Basic Food, TANF, FDPIR benefits, you might qualify for free or reduced-priced meals and may fill out an application at that time. Once your child (ren) is approved for meal benefits, you no longer need to report changes in your income during the 2013-2014 school year.

If you do not agree with the decision on your application or the result of the verification, you may call or write Bethel School District, Child Nutrition Services, 516 176th Street E, Spanaway, WA 98387, (253) 683-6912. You also have the right to a fair hearing. This can be arranged by writing or calling Dr. Robert Van Slyke, Executive Director of Operations, Bethel School District, 516 176th Street E, Spanaway, WA 98387, and (253) 683-6080.

Nondiscrimination In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. If you believe you have been treated unfairly, you may file a complaint of discrimination by writing, USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866)632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.