The district recently learned it qualified to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Program for students in both buildings starting in the 2016-17 school year.
“We are waiting for official notification that we have been approved, but feel that will be forthcoming at any time,” RSU 29 Superintendent Ellen Schneider said. “There will be absolutely no visible change to our current school lunch program. The menu offerings will not be affected. We continue to follow the federal guidelines that are regulation and have been in place for the last three years.”
Unlike some school districts which have stopped serving eggs, RSU 29 has not followed this trend and still serves scrambled eggs, egg muffin sandwiches and egg burrito wraps.
“There has been no regulations of which we are aware that would preclude us from using eggs,” Schneider said.
Under the new program, all students in HES and HSS will receive free breakfast and lunch, without the need to meet certain income guidelines. The district will pick up the tab for any costs not covered by the federal program.
“This program will actually be less paperwork for all involved,” Schneider said. “There is no sign-up necessary. We see this as a win-win for all involved.”
According to Schneider, studies have shown that children who eat a good breakfast and lunch are often more focused and ready to learn in the classroom.
“Most importantly it has been shown that participation in the school feeding programs increases which means that more of our students will be receiving healthy meals,” she said. “It is a help to our families in our communities, as this is one less cost for them to shoulder.”
For the district, it means no more chasing after students to bring in money for meals. Because no young child is denied a meal, the amount owed can reach several hundred dollars by the end of the school year, Schneider said.
Students at Houlton Middle-High School are not eligible for this program.
