During the transition back to normal school operations in
the 2022-23 school year, the Waterford Public School District has opted in to
the School Meals Assistance Revenue for Transition (SMART) funds providing
meals (breakfast and lunch) at no cost for all students at the beginning of the
school year. This means that the state has provided funding that will allow us
to start the school year providing students access to school lunch and
breakfast at no cost.
Please note that meals at no cost to all students are
unlikely to last all year and are subject to the availability of district
funds.
When funding is depleted, which we estimate to
be in late fall, and the availability of meals at no cost will expire, it is critical that households submit a free and reduced-priced meal application as soon as possible to determine
a student’s eligibility for this school year to
avoid unpaid meal charges. Once funding runs out, CT schools
will return to full price meals for students except those who qualify for free
or reduced meals.
Completing and submitting an application will also help your
child’s school raise additional funds to help us make meals available to all
students at no cost for as long as possible. The district will notify parents
and guardians with more detailed information as we receive it. We will provide
notice so that students who are not directly certified or have no approved
application on file will be expected to start paying for their meals. We
encourage all families who believe they may qualify to fill out an application
as soon as possible. These are available in your school offices or online.
Families may qualify for free and reduced meals through the
school meal application process or through the direct certification process
managed by the Connecticut State Department of Social Services (CT DSS). The
direct certification process coincides with food assistance programs extended
by the CT DSS to families in need of this qualified assistance. These programs
include the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TANF) and
Medicaid.
More information regarding the Free/Reduced
Price School Meal Application, process, and FAQs
can be found on the Waterford Public Schools’ Food Services Webpage - https://www.waterfordschools.org/parents_family/food_services
Please contact Dianne Houlihan,
Director of School Dining and Nutrition Services at: [email protected]
or 860-444-5862 for more information.
Free/Reduced Meal Application