Food Service Information

August 29, 2022

Dear Skokie School District 73.5 Families,

Child nutrition programs have been essential throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring children continue to get the nutrition they need. We understand this school year will be a significant transition for families as we return to pre-pandemic meal programs with paid, free, and reduced-priced eligibility for students.

Schools had federal flexibilities during COVID so they could serve free meals to all children. Some of those options expired, so we can no longer serve all meals for free. Instead, families will do what they did before COVID. Schools will take applications and use family income to qualify children for free, reduce-price, or paid meals.

FREE & REDUCED BREAKFAST & LUNCH APPLICATION INFORMATION

Household eligibility applications and information on the lunch program can be obtained on the District website at www.sd735.org/lunch. Return completed household eligibility applications to the District office: 8000 East Prairie Road, Skokie IL 60076. If your family received notice of direct certification you do not need to complete a household eligibility application.

BREAKFAST

This year the District will offer breakfast at all our schools. The cost for breakfast is $2.25 for students with paid eligibility and $.30 for students with reduced eligibility. There is no cost for students with free eligibility.

Breakfast Locations & Hours:

• McCracken Cafeteria
  Time: 7:30 to 7:50 a.m.
  Drop off location: Front circle
   
• Middleton Cafeteria
  Time: 8:15 to 8:30 a.m.
  Drop off location: Madison drop-off lane
   
• Meyer Cafeteria
  Time: 8:10 to 8:30 a.m.
  Drop off location: Door 12E (the red door)
   

LUNCH AND À LA CARTE ITEMS

School meals must meet strong nutrition standards, and we are continuing to work hard to serve students the nutritious, delicious meals they need to learn and grow. Cost for lunch is $3.50 for students with paid eligibility and $.40 for students with reduced eligibility. There is no cost for students with free eligibility. In addition to lunch, students may purchase à la carte items such as crackers, fruit, and milk. Beginning in 5th grade students may also purchase extra meals. The 2022-2023 School Lunch Pricing Information sheet provides more detailed information. À la carte items and extra meals are not free or reduced and prices are subject to change.

ONLINE PAYMENTS

As a service to families, Skokie School District 73.5 has partnered with My MealTime to offer a convenient solution to paying for student meals. The District accepts deposits for your child’s food service account through MealTime. Visit My MealTime Online to create a profile, make deposits, view account balances, set up low balance notifications, and view your child’s transaction details. Instructions to create a My Mealtime account are available in English and Spanish.

PAYMENT BY CASH OR CHECK

Parents and guardians can personally bring payment or send it with their child to school. Please make sure the payment is sent in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the child’s name, the homeroom teacher’s name, and "Lunch Money." Checks can be made out to Skokie School District 73.5. Students can hand payments directly to cashiers in the lunch line as well.

Thank you,

Karen Hayes

Operational Services Coordinator

Skokie School District 73.5

847-676-8317

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Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling 866-632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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
   - OR -
    
2. Fax:
   833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442
   - OR -
    
3. Email:
   [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.