Morton School District Child Nutrition Charging Policy - 2017

The Child Nutrition Services program is federally funded and is fiscally accountable for tax payer dollars used by the program. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pay for student meals unless a free eligibility has been determined. The charging policy (outlined below) has been established to help assure each student eats lunch.

Elementary School Students

  • An elementary school student who is without money in their account or comes to school without money for a school meal is allowed one meal on credit.
  • A reminder is sent home with the student the day the child is short on funds. The parent/guardian is obligated to pay that money back.
  • If a student continues without funds, a courtesy lunch will be offered to the student.
  • The district is unable to provide a courtesy breakfast to students.
  • If a student needs a courtesy meal for more than three days, kitchen staff will notify the school office and/or the Child Nutrition Director who will attempt to contact the parent/guardian.

Jr/Sr High School Students

  • Jr/Sr High school students who come to lunch without funds will be offered a courtesy meal.
  • The district is unable to provide a courtesy breakfast to students.

Adults/Guests/Students not currently enrolled in the Morton School District

  • Adults (staff members, guests, and/or parents/guardians) and/or students not currently enrolled in the Morton School District do not have the option of charging.

The Child Nutrition Services program aims to provide nutritious meals to Morton School District students each school day. Students may receive breakfast and lunch at no cost if they qualify for free meals based on federal guidelines. Students who are waiting for paperwork to be processed and/or students who do not qualify for meal benefits may purchase meals at the regular price/paid rate.

Parents/guardians must pay for meals, or send meals with their student,
unless free meal benefits have been established.
If a student qualifies for meal benefits, beginning on the effective date of eligibility
the price of the student’s meals changes to either free or reduced-price.

Eligibility is not retroactive. Eligibility is good for the current school year.

To keep parents/guardians apprised of meal-account balances, we:

  • Offer an option for parents/guardians to set up notification (in their Skyward Family Access account) when their student’s balance is below $6;
  • Send notices home with students, at the elementary level, when the student account becomes negative; and,
  • E-mail/mail letters home on the Thursday of every week to notify parents/guardians of student balances at $3.00 or below.

The District will make reasonable, discrete efforts to collect delinquent (overdue) unpaid meal charges, which is an allowable use of National School Food Service Account funds, and will coordinate communications with families to resolve the charges. Options may include collection agencies, small claims court, or any other collection method permitted by law and consistent with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Studies show education is enhanced when students are well nourished. Please help us keep students healthy and happy. If you would like to donate to our in-need student account or have child nutrition questions please contact the Child Nutrition Services office by:

Phone: (360) 496-5300
E-mail: akaech@morton.k12.wa.us

Mail: Morton School District #214

c/o Child Nutrition Director
152 Westlake Avenue

(3) E-mail: program.intake@usda.gov

Morton School District Nondiscrimination Statement

The district will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs will be free from sexual harassment.

In accordance with the 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: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 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) E-mail: program.intake@usda.gov