Dear Parent/Guardian:

Children need healthy meals to learn. Harrison Community School(s) offers healthy meals every school day. Students may buy lunch for elementary $1.50 and $1.75/$2.50 for secondary and breakfast for all students are FREE. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. We sell reduced price lunches for $0.40. If a doctor has determined that your child has a disability, and the disability would prevent the child from eating the regular school meal, the school will make any substitution prescribed by a doctor at no extra charge. For further information, please call (989)539-7202. The doctor's statement, including prescribed diet and/or substitution, must be submitted to the food service department at your school.

1. Do I need to fill out an application for each child? No. Complete the application to apply for free and reduced price school meals. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to: Harrison Food Service at 710 S. 5th Street, Harrison, MI 48625 (989)539-7202.

 Click HERE for the Form

2. Who can get free meals? Children in households getting Food Stamps, FIP, or FDPIR and most foster children can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free price meals if your household income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Guidelines.

3. Can homeless, runaway, and migrant children get free meals? Please call Lucy Bohr (989)539-7871, homeless liaison or migrant coordinator to see if your child(ren) qualify if you have not been informed that they will get free meals.

4. Who can get reduced price meals? Your children can get low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Chart shown on this application.

5. Should I fill out an application if I got a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free or reduced price meals? Please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Call the school at (989)539-7202 if you have questions.

6. I get WIC. Can my child(ren) get free meals? Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.

7. Will the information I give be checked? Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.

8. If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later? Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year if your household size goes up, income goes down, or if you start getting Food Stamps, FIP, FDPIR, or other benefits. If you lose your job, your children may be able to get free or reduced price meals.

9. What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?
You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Mr. Chris Rundle, Superintendent, Harrison Community Schools, 224 W. Main St. Harrison, MI 48625 or (989)539-7871 ext 1000.

10. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for free or reduced price meals.

11. Who should I include as members of my household? You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relative, or friends). You must include yourself and all children who live with you.

12. What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally get. For example, if you normally get $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes.

13. We are in the military: do we include our housing allowance as income? If your housing is part of Military Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. All other allowances must be included in your gross income.

14. What if my child does not have health insurance?
Your children may qualify for low cost or free health insurance through MIChild and Healthy Kids Program. To Apply On-line, go to www.michigan.gov/michild or call 1-888-988-6300 for help or to request a paper application.

Sincerely,

Kelly Hileman, Business Manager
Harrison Community Schools

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Dear Parent/Guardian,

Thank you for taking the time to read about the new changes in the food service program. We are extremely happy to help your child(ren), in every way we can, and to teach them about healthy nutrition. Our new changes will involve the following:

Breakfast and Lunch Prices:
     Elementary Breakfast: FREE
     Elementary Lunch: $1.50 / Reduced: $ .40
     Middle and High Breakfast: FREE
     Middle and High Lunch: $1.75/ Reduced: $ .40
     A la carte milk (even if you qualify for free or reduced meals): $ .35
     A POS System will be used for both breakfast and lunch. This system will allow you to send one check for
     prepayment of all your students’ school meals, rather than one check for each student. Credit can be
     applied toward your child’s personal account in the monetary figure of your choice. The money can be
     divided evenly, or in the proportion of your choosing, among your children. Prepayment is encouraged for
     increasing the speed of service during meal periods.

     If a student has free or reduced lunch, Harrison Community Schools will be using a family application. We
     need only ONE APPLICATION per family. Please list all students and all household members on this
     application. If your student qualified for free or reduced priced meals last year, they will be again this year
     until a new application is processed or September 30, 2007 whichever is first.

     If your non-handicapped child has a food allergy (i.e. milk), we must have a note on file from a medical
     professional (not necessarily a doctor) to make these substitutions prescribed by the doctor at no extra     
     charge. If a doctor has determined that your child has a handicap and the handicap would prevent the child
     from eating the regular school menu, this school will make any substitutions prescribed by the doctor at no
     extra charge.

Welcome to Breakfast at School:
Since early mornings are usually a rush from home to school, the food service department would like to invite your child(ren) to “Break for Breakfast” to get them fueled up for the day. School breakfast is available every day and we provide a variety of nutritious breakfast items. The meal will be available for FREE for all students. Elementary students will receive a Grab-n- Go breakfast choice where they will eat in their classroom.

Alternate Lunch Policy:
This year the alternate lunch policy will be stated on each menu and the negative and positive balance letters that will be sent home. The letter states: If your child’s account accumulates a deficit of $5.00 or more, he or she will not be eligible to purchase the normal menu item for the day. Instead, we will provide an alternate lunch that contains the required Government components. If you have unusual circumstances or wish further information, please contact the Harrison Community Schools Food Service Department at (989)539-7202.

Charge Policy:
The charge policy takes affect if your child’s account exceeds $5.00 in which the child will receive a peanut butter sandwich and white milk until funds are received to lower the deficit. Your student will NOT be allowed to purchase ala carte items if their account has a deficit. There will be NO charging of ala carte items. If a change occurs in the child’s household income during the school year or there is an unusual circumstance that occurs, it is important for the parent/guardian to contact Renee Hyduk, Food Service Director at 989-539-7202, to see if the family qualifies for free or reduced meals.

Parents Eating with Their Child(ren):
Parents are encouraged to join their child(ren) during lunch and enjoy a nutritious meal. The price for your adult meal is $3.00. If you bring other children with you, they will be charged the student price for the meal he or she consumes.

Field Trip Sack Lunches:
The cafeteria staff will gladly pack a sack lunch for you child(ren) on all field trip days. The lunch will contain one of the following choices: Pyramid Pete Pizza Happy Meal, Nacho Fun Lunch Happy Meal, PB&J Fun Lunch Happy Meal or a Cold Meat Sub Happy Meal. You will simply fill out a sack lunch form and return it to your child’s teacher one week prior to the field trip.

If you have any questions regarding the food service department, please contact
Renee Hyduk at (989) 539-7202.

Enjoy the 2007-2008 school year!
 

    
     Harrison Community Schools has made a decision to provide our students with exciting changes in the foodservice program this year! We have contracted with Chartwells School Dining Services to operate our program this year. Below is a list of some of the exciting things for our students in upcoming months, including FREE UNIVERSAL BREAKFAST for all students and a new point of service system allowing you to view your students account balance and track what they are eating daily!

     Our focus is on Food with fresh, well presented, high quality menu items with a touch of flair and garnish.

     This year Pyramid Pete and his friends will embark on a cross-country journey to help teach children about healthy living and nutritional meals throughout the school year.

     At Elementary Schools, the cafeteria will offer a great variety of options to appeal to various tastes and dietary needs. The Food Service Staff will introduce four lunch choices at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year: two main entrees, a chef salad and peanut butter & jelly sandwich. Printed menus will be distributed monthly. Food service director Renee Hyduk (989)539-7202.

     For the secondary schools, unique menu concepts bring a retail environment to the students which Chartwells School Dining considers their customers.

 WELCOME TO "PROFILES IN GOOD TASTE"!

Some of the menu stations you will see in the High School, and Middle Schools are The "ORIGINS" station is a rotation of entree favorites, specials and theme bars with international flair from the Far East to traditional American favorites.

Of course the most popular food being served in school cafeterias is pizza! At the TRATTORIA station, Pepperoni and cheese pizzas are standard daily fare, with rotating items like specialty pizzas; Stromboli and calzones can be offered as additional choices. A special touch of shakers of Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper are always available.

Our "FRESH GRILLE" station will offer an inspiring variety of grilled entrees and hot wrapped sandwiches from the traditional hamburgers to marinated grilled chicken burgers and specialty items. The Fresh Grille offers all the accompaniments that students and staff come to expect.

"SANDWICH CENTRAL" is a student's opportunity to have a sandwich made while they wait. Sandwiches are custom made using a variety of breads, meats, cheeses and toppings.

"CASA AMIGOS" - fresh favorites are featured with seasoned beef and chicken, beans and rice, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and salsa. Menu items like tacos and nachos, burritos, chimichangas, Mexican pizza and more are found as daily offerings in this station.

The 'Profiles' snack and a la carte concept, "OUTTAKES", will offer traditional snacks as well as an assortment of chilled beverages, packaged salads, frozen treats, and specialty hot items. Fruits, chilled vegetables, side dishes and salads to complete the meals are presented at each station, providing an abundant selection to complete any meal.

Our "BALANCED CHOICES PROGRAM" identifies specific snacks, beverages and meals that meet precise nutritional parameters that define portion sizes, as well as calories from fat and saturated fat, sugar and sodium. In addition, the Balanced Choices Program provides tools to communicate our standards to our customers.