Clarendon schools announce lunch policies

Clarendon CISD has announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the attached current income eligibility guidelines. Each school campus office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone on request.

Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children. Application forms will be available during registration on August 12 and 13 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the School Cafeteria (new students on August 14 from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the respective campuses). Applications also are available at the principal’s office in each school. To apply for free and reduced-price meals, households must fill out the application and return it to the school.

The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:

Income – 1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels; Categorical or Automatic Eligibility – 2. Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR); Program Participant – 3. Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster; and 4. Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start.

For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must fill out free and reduced-price meal application and return it to Mike Word, Elementary Principal, PO Box 610, Clarendon, TX 79226, 806-874-3855. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information: Names of all household members; Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member; Last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a social security number, check the box for “I do not have a Social Security number;” and Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct.

Clarendon CISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. Clarendon CISD will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should have should contact Mike Word, Elementary Principal, PO Box 610, Clarendon, TX, 806-874-3855.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Mr. Word will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official’s eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the Reviewing Official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Mr. Monty Hysinger, Superintendent, P.O. Box 610, Clarendon, TX 79226, 806-874-2062.If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school.