| Students who qualify for lunch program expected to increase |
|
| Schools - Schools | |||
| Written by Kevin M. Smith | |||
| Thursday, 06 August 2009 00:00 | |||
|
Since the start of school last year, lunch prices have increased 15 cents in Kearney R-1 School District. Also since August 2008 several business in and around Kearney have either closed or laid off employees. Some parents who previously didn’t qualify for free or reduced price lunches may now fall into that income bracket. The best policy, school officials said, is when in doubt, apply anyway. Randy Smith, assistant superintendent for the school district, said students are sent home with forms during enrollment and on the first day of school. He said, based on other forms parents fill out, the district can determine “direct certification,” meaning they can pinpoint who is eligible without the parent filling out the forms. “Free meals are no cost to the student and we’re reimbursed by the federal government,” Smith said. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program was utilized by more than 30.5 million students in 2007, according to usda.gov. The form for the program includes a chart to help parents determine if they qualify. For example, a household of two people with an annual income of $26,955 or less qualifies. A household of eight people — including parents, children and any relatives living there — with an income of $68,469 qualifies. School building offices also have the forms available upon request with information about how to qualify. Smith said parents who don’t know if they qualify should apply anyway to find out for sure. LUNCH PRICES Level — Price secondary — $2.00 elementary — $1.90 adult — $2.50 breakfast — $1.40
IMPORTANT DATES Monday, Aug. 17 - 6 to 7:30 p.m., Kearney Middle School open house - 7 to 8:30 p.m. Kearney Junior High School and Kearney High School open houses Tuesday, Aug. 18 - 5 to 6 p.m. kindergarten open house at all elementary schools - 6 to 7:30 p.m. first through fifth grades open house at all elementary schools Wednesday, Aug. 19 - First day of school Monday, Aug. 31 - Late start for eighth through 12th grades Friday, Sept. 4 - No school: teacher professional development day Monday, Sept. 7 - No school: Labor Day
Recommended immunizations For ages 4 to 6 - PPSV — pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine* - HepA Series — hepatitis A* - MCV — meningococcal* - MMR — second dose for measles, mumps, rubella - Varicella — second dose (chickenpox) - DTaP — final dose for diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis - IPV — inactivated poliovirus - Influenza — yearly dose through age 18
- Tdap — tetanus, diptheria, pertussis - HPV — human papilloomavirus - MCV — meningococcal* Clay County Public Health Center, 800 Haines Drive in Liberty, will hold a back-to-school vaccination clinic from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. The cost is $15. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. Current Medicaid accepted with card. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to the clinic with shot records. No appointment needed; call 595-4355 for more information. * Certain high-risk groups.
|