Springfield Public Schools News Release

News From Springfield Public Schools

Communications Department

1359 E. St. Louis Street

Springfield, MO  65802

417-523-INFO 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 11, 2017

  • 2017-2018 school year begins Wednesday, Aug. 16
  • Middle school athletic practices begin Monday, Aug. 14
  • Assistance for school meals available for 2017-2018 school year  
  • Explore graduation will be July 28
2017-2018 school year begins Wednesday, Aug. 16
Springfield Public Schools students will return to the classroom on Wednesday, Aug. 16.  Important back-to-school information, including school supply lists, required immunizations, and transportation information can be found here.

Middle school athletics begins practices Monday, Aug. 14
Middle school football, volleyball, and cross country teams will begin practices Monday, Aug. 14.  To be eligible to play in the first game of the season, students must participate in all 14 practices.  Contact your school for more information.

Assistance for school meals available for 2017-2018 school year
The following family-size income criteria will be used to determine eligibility for school children unable to pay the full price of meals under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. 
 
Children from families whose current income is at or below those shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals.  Applications are available at the school office.  To apply, fill out a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application and return it to the school.  You can also apply online  here  approximately two weeks before school starts.  The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility.  Applications may be submitted any time during the school year.  A complete application is required as a condition of eligibility.  A complete application includes: (1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/TANF case number, (2) names of all household members, and (3) the signature and last four digits of social security number or indication of no social security number of adult household member signing the application.  School officials may verify current income at any time during the school year.
 
Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. 
 
If a family member becomes unemployed or if family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application.  Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for these benefits. 
 
Households will be notified of their children's eligibility status for free or reduced price meals.  If any children were not listed on the eligibility notice for families receiving SNAP, TANF or FDPIR, the household should contact the school to have free meal benefits extended to those children.   
 
If any child(ren) was not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact the LEA or school to have free meal benefits extended to that child(ren).
 
Under the provisions of the policy, the Meal Benefits Clerk will review the applications and determine eligibility.  If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, they may wish to discuss the decision with the hearing official on an informal basis or he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to the Deputy Superintendent of Operations.

Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy.  A complete copy of the policy is on file in each school and in the central office where any interested party may review it.
 
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
 
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
 
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
 
(1)      mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
  1400 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
 
(2)      fax: (202) 690-7442; or
 
(3)      email: program.intake@usda.gov.
 
Explore graduation will be July 28
A graduation ceremony will be held at Parkview High School July 28 at 6 p.m. for students completing their high school requirements during Explore.
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