WUS FOOD SERVICES
AUGUST 2024
Effective for the 2024-2025 school year, BREAKFAST and LUNCH are FREE to ALL Public School STUDENTS!
WHO:
ALL students attending Baker Elementary, Steeby Elementary, Dorr Elementary, Pine Street Elementary, Wayland Union Middle School, and Wayland Union High School (including CCA).
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR STUDENTS:
Students eating meals at school will not be charged for those meals. This includes one breakfast meal and one lunch meal EVERYDAY for each public school student. Only FULL MEALS are FREE due to dietary restrictions of the funding.
This benefit does NOT include a la carte purchases, entrée-only purchases, milk-only purchases, or second-meal purchases. These items will be charged to student lunch accounts and students need to have payment rendered either through available credit from their lunch account or via cash payment at the time of purchase. No student accounts will be allowed to go negative.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR FAMILIES:
Families saved about $900 last year per student that took advantage of these FREE MEALS throughout the school year! Save time and money by encouraging your student(s) to try breakfast and lunch at school!
ALL PARENTS ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE AN EDUCATION BENEFITS FORM:
Applications for the FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL PROGRAM collect information needed to ensure the school receives state and federal funding for education programs. Without this information, Wayland Union Schools could lose important state funding for educational programs that benefit ALL students.
NEW this year, the state has simplified the application form for benefits! All public school families are now able to complete a simplified EDUCATION BENEFITS FORM to apply for the FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL PROGRAM.
Additionally, families that qualify for the program may qualify for additional benefits, some of which may include:
- Summer EBT Benefits
- Pay to Participate
- Programs that provide Food Support
- Programs that provide Field Trip Support
- Programs that provide School Supplies
- Potential Household Support for Internet
The easiest and quickest way to apply for the FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL PROGRAM is by logging into your Parent Portal account and submitting an Electronic Application Form. Online application forms can be found by selecting the MORE option from the Main Menu within the PARENT PORTAL. From there, select MEAL BENEFITS to complete the application form and submit it electronically. This is the quickest and easiest way to submit a form.
Applying for the FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL PROGRAM is optional, but all families are encouraged to apply every year. For more information about this program and how to apply, please see the section below.
EDUCATION BENEFITS FORMS FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED IN PLACE OF THE PREVIOUSLY USED 'FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL APPLICATION' FORM!
The Free & Reduced Price Meal Program is a federally funded program that allows students of eligible households to receive FREE or REDUCED-cost meals at school. Additionally, qualifying families also receive added benefits as mentioned in the article above.
DID YOU KNOW?
Schools also use the percentage of students in their district that are eligible for the FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL PROGRAM as an important reporting tool used 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 this year, our numbers will not fully reflect the need in the Wayland Union community and students might miss out on necessary services and opportunities. Please help improve the accuracy of our numbers by completing an EDUCATION BENEFITS FORM as soon as possible.
Applying for this program is optional, but all families are encouraged to apply. Eligibility is based on household size and income level.
Families need to apply for this program each school year. It is most beneficial for families to submit a NEW application form at the beginning of the school year. However, forms are accepted all year long. Be sure to complete a NEW application form and submit it to your child's school for the 2024-2025 school year.
APPLICATIONS
Electronic Application Forms are online and can be found by selecting the MORE option from the Main Menu within the PARENT PORTAL. From there, select MEAL BENEFITS to complete the form and submit it electronically. This is the quickest and easiest way to submit a form.
Paper Application Forms can be obtained from any school office. Paper forms can also be downloaded and printed via the WUS Food Services Department Website. Completed forms can be sent to the office of your child's school or mailed to the WUS Food Services Department:
WUS Food Services Department
324 West Sycamore St.
Wayland, MI 49348
Once a family's form is processed, a notification letter will be mailed to the household that explains eligibility.
Questions? Please contact our office! We can explain the application process, eligibility criteria, and benefits. This is a terrific program and worth applying for!
Parents/Guardians are responsible for all purchases made and any debts incurred by their student(s). Student lunch accounts will be charged for any a la carte purchases, entrée-only purchases, milk-only purchases, or second-meal purchases. These items will be charged to student lunch accounts and students need to have the full payment rendered either through available credit from their lunch account or via cash payment at the time of purchase. No student accounts will be allowed to go negative.
Parents can add money to their student's lunch account via the Parent Portal using a credit or debit card, or parents can send a personal check or cash to school with their student.
Please monitor your student's lunch account via the Parent Portal and make deposits as needed to your student's lunch account.
But, What Happened to My Student's Positive Balance from Last Year?
Any positive balance that remained on a student's lunch account at the end of last school year HAS ALREADY CARRIED OVER for the student to use this school year. This function is automatic and there is no action required by the parent.
Questions?
If you are experiencing difficulty or need additional information, the Food Service staff are available for questions and concerns. Please feel free contact us! We are happy to help!
DID YOU KNOW?
Parents can filter out allergens for children with food allergies or sensitivities, find carb counts, and even print the menu when using the Nutrislice menu tools. These extra options can be found in the upper right hand corner of the screen when viewing your child's school menu through Nutrislice!
Please note that our staff may need to adjust menus when items become unavailable due to supply chain issues. We ask that parents and students remain flexible and patient with unexpected menu changes and substitutions.
WUS Food Service Department>>>
Director
(269)792-3150, ext. 2610
Secretary
(269)792-3150, ext. 2601