WUS FOOD SERVICES
2024 SUMMER UPDATES
SUMMER MEALS
The SUMMER MEALS Program will be available this summer to ALL children in the district. This includes both Breakfast and Lunch...
SUMMER MEALS - PROGRAM DETAILS
COST: FREE!
ELIGIBILITY: all children ages 18 and younger
REGISTRATION: no sign-ups required
SERVING DATES: T, W, TH; July 9 - August 8, 2024
SERVING TIMES
- BREAKFAST: 8am - 8:30am
- LUNCH: 11am - 12pm
LOCATION: Steeby Elementary Cafeteria (435 E. Superior St. Wayland)
NOTE: Meals will be served and must be eaten within the cafeteria at Steeby Elementary. No meals will be packaged to go.
Additional information about helpful resources available in the area can be found by dialing 2-1-1 or by visiting the WUS District website.
Please contact the WUS Food Services Department with questions.
WILL SCHOOL MEALS BE FREE TO ALL STUDENTS AGAIN NEXT SCHOOL YEAR?
The Food Service Department at Wayland Union Schools is keeping a hopeful eye on this budget process and will notify parents of any decisions. Please keep an eye out for and review the WUS FOOD SERVICE Newsletter that will come out as school starts in August for what you can expect regarding meal charges for the 2024-2025 school year!
ALMOST HALF A MILLION MEALS SERVED
With meals being FREE to ALL students during the 2023-2024 school year, the WUS Food Service Department has been BUSY!! Our staff ordered, prepared, and served more meals this year than in any year prior! WOW!
Just how many meals were served by Wayland Union Schools this school year?
489,730 Meals!!
FREE meals benefitted so many students and families in our district! Not only did parents save on the cost per meal each time their student(s) had breakfast or lunch at school, but they also saved the time of buying, preparing, and packaging a breakfast and lunch from home for their student(s).
One parent stated...
"Wayland's Food Service department is just outstanding! I am so thankful for these meals! What a huge burden off of families and a blessing. It's helped our family tremendously."
MEANINGFUL SAVINGS FOR WAYLAND FAMILIES
Here's what FREE meals meant for students and families in the WUS district!
Number of WUS Cafeterias: 6
Food Service Staff Members: 35
Total Meals Served: 489,730
Increase from last year: +22%
Breakfasts Served: 129,983
-Increase from last year: +35%
-Cost savings to Wayland families: $259,966
Lunches Served: 359,747
-Increase from last year: +17%
-Cost savings to Wayland families: $1,115,216* 😲
*costs of meals vary from $2.85-$4.10)
There were a total of 176 days of school this year. Assuming that your student took advantage of the FREE Breakfast and FREE Lunch each school day, this means that your family will have saved a total of about $900 per student this school year!! WOW!!!
Thank you again to our hard-working Food Service Staff!! What a difference they have made for students and families in the Wayland Union School District!!
LUNCH HERO DAY
Healthy meals are an important part of a student's success in school. Many studies have found that children who eat regular, healthy meals are less likely to be tired, are more attentive in class, and retain more information throughout the school day. That's why the WUS Food Service staff take great care and pride in their work!
"Lunch Hero Day" was held on May 3rd to show appreciation for all the time, care, and dedication our Food Service Staff bring to the children of our district! Like all school staff, the Food Service staff take great pride in helping their students have a successful day and it shows!
Thank you to all our Food Service Staff for helping the WUS students feel cared for and valued!
Q & A: STUDENT LUNCH ACCOUNT BALANCES
ANSWER: All balances carry over to the following school year.
QUESTION: How do I empty the positive balance from my student's lunch account if we are moving out of the district or if my child has graduated?
ANSWER: Email the Food Service office a request and include 1.) your child's name 2.) to whom the reimbursement check needs to be made payable and 3.) to what address the check needs to be mailed.
QUESTION: Can parents make payments on their student's account over the summer?
ANSWER: Yes! You can log into the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus to add money to your student's account at any time.
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE AFTER JULY 1, 2024
The Free & Reduced Price Meal Program is a federally funded program that provides meal assistance to qualifying families. Families need to apply for this program on a yearly basis. Eligibility is based on household size and income level. Additional benefits are also available to eligible households including EBT assistance, reduced AP exam fees, and more!
Applications for the Free & Reduced Price Meal Program open for submission on July 1st for the upcoming school year that will start in August 2024.
It is important for families to apply for this program at the beginning of each school year to maximize the benefit, but applications are available throughout the entire school year. In the event a household experiences a change in household size or income level during the school year, they are encouraged to reapply as this change may qualify them for the program.
Check the WUS FOOD SERVICE WEBSITE for availability of the 2024-2025 Free & Reduced Price Meal Application after July 1st.
If Meals end up being FREE for ALL Students, Why Apply for the Free & Reduced Price Meal Program?
The Free & Reduced Price Meal Program is a federally funded program that does so much more than just provide meals to eligible students at a free or reduced-cost.
Wayland Union Schools also uses the number of students eligible for this program as an important reporting tool to qualify for additional funding from various sources. Funding provides additional instructional staff, teaching supplies and materials, counselors and social workers, school nurses, technology, and more!
If less families fill out applications, our numbers will not fully reflect the need in the Wayland Union community. Without this information, Wayland Union Schools could lose important state funding for educational programs that benefit ALL students.
Applying for this program is optional, but all families are encouraged to apply. Please help improve the accuracy of our numbers by completing a FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL PROGRAM application when they become available in July to ensure students receive necessary services and opportunities.
Applications can be downloaded from the WUS FOOD SERVICE WEBSITE or completed electronically via the PARENT PORTAL after July 1st.
Looking for a rewarding position with a fun team? Want flexible hours? WUS Food Services is now hiring for Internal Positions as well as Substitute Food Service Workers!
One of the benefits our team members appreciate most is the work/life balance of working for the school! The hours are flexible and vacation days follow the school's calendar. With competitive pay, it's a great opportunity!
Many of our team members have students in the district or are retired and looking for some part-time work. Sound like you? Apply today at:
FS POSITIONS (Apply using Allegan Area Schools Application Consortium)
SUBSTITUTE FS POSITIONS (Apply using Edustaff)
To view all open positions within the district, please visit the EMPLOYMENT tab on the district's website.
Questions? Please contact:
Scott Larson, Director of Food Services
(269)792-3150, ext. 2610
WUS FOOD SERVICE DEPARTMENT>>>
Director
(269)792-3150, ext. 2610
Secretary
(269)792-3150, ext. 2601