Meal Service During Fall Distance Learning
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended a waiver that will allow us to serve free meals to all children (ages 1-18) through June, 2021. As a result of this news, meals will not be charged to student accounts as we had previously advertised, and we will no longer require you to register for a meal pick up location.
Meal service will be offered every school day beginning Wednesday, September 9, 2020. To offer flexibility for families, multiple meal service options, locations, and pick up times are available. Please see below for our menu of options. We have added back our bus route meal delivery locations in addition to our school sites.
Free meals will now be available through June 2021, however, households are strongly encouraged to continue to apply for the Free and Reduced-Price meal program as this eligiblity drives State and Federal funding, and other benefits for students.
Option 1: Weekly Meal Kit Pickup at schools
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One week's worth of meals (breakfast & lunch) served at once. Weekly Meal Kits can be picked up on:
Mondays
from 11AM-1PM or 5PM-7PM at (if you chose this option, distribution will begin on September 14, 2020):
- North Thurston High School
- River Ridge High School
- Timberline High School
- Nisqually Middle School
- Komachin Middle School
- Salish Middle School
Saturdays
from 9AM-12PM at (if you choose this option, distribution will begin on September 12, 2020):
- Lakes Elementary @ Food & Nutrition Building
Therer will be no change to serving times during Conference Week (Oct 26 - Oct 30, 2020).
Option 2: Daily Meal Pickup at schools
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One breakfast and one lunch served daily. Daily Meals will be available from 11:30AM-12:30PM at:
- all elementary schools
- Salish middle school
Therer will be no change to serving times during Conference Week (Oct 26 - Oct 30, 2020).
Daily drop-off locations (Monday - Friday)
Grab-and-Go Meal Service FAQ
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Do I still have to complete a Free and Reduced-Priced Meal application for this school year?
Yes. Meals are currently free through December 31, 2020 only. Free/Reduced applications need to be completed yearly and are available to complete online via Family Access or a paper copy is available at all schools.
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Do I still need to register for meals?
No. The USDA is allowing school districts to follow the Summer Meal Program which allows all children ages 1-18 to eat for free until December 31, 2020.
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Will my student's lunch account be charged?
No. The USDA is allowing school districts to follow the Summer Meal Program which allows all children ages 1-18 to eat for free until December 31, 2020.
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Do my children have to attend North Thurston Public Schools to receive meals?
No. Any child between the ages of 1-18 may receive meals.
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Will breakfast and lunch be available separately, or do we have to take both?
No. All meals will be served with a breakfast and a lunch.
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Do my students have to be present?
No. A parent or guardian can pick up meal for children. The parent/guardian must read an attestation and give their name.
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Do I need to have a vehicle to pick up my meals?
No. Walk ups, bike ups, and vehicles are all welcome. Meals will be served in bags for you to transport home. Please follow social distancing guidelines are wear a face covering.
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Can I get daily meals at a high school or weekly meals at an elementary?
Daily meals are only served at all elementary schools, Salish Middle School, and on the bus routes. Weekly meal kits are avialable for pick up on Mondays from 11:00am - 1:00pm or 5:00pm - 7:00pm at Timberline, River Ridge, North Thurston High Schools, and Salish, Nisqually and Komachin Middle Schools. Saturday pick up is available from 9:00am - 12:00pm at Lakes Elementary. Details of all sites and bus route locations can be found on the NTPS Website, Food & Nutrition Remote Learning Meals page.
