Students may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) serves a variety of breakfast and lunch menu items for students at low costs for parents. For the 2014-15 school year, prices for elementary school students are $1.25 for breakfast and $2.45 for lunch. Middle and high school students can purchase breakfast for $1.40 and lunch for $2.70. Some students may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals and CCPS determines eligibility through income guidelines established by the federal government.
The reduced price for breakfast is $0.30 and $0.40 for lunch. All Charles County Public Schools students receive an application for free or reduced-price meals either at school or through the mail. Applications, including a Spanish version, are also available at each school. Families with more than one child attending CCPS only need to complete one application per household.
Applications should be sent directly to Charles County Public Schools, Department of Food Services, 5980 Radio Station Road, La Plata, Md., 20646. There is a 10 business day turn-around time for all applications once they are received by Food Services. School system staff review applications for eligibility and incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Additionally, all provided information may be checked for eligibility verification.
Approved applications are only valid for one school year and need to be resubmitted at the start of each new school year. Benefits for the 2013-14 school year end on Oct. 7 or when notification that benefits for 2014-15 have been approved. Parents can also apply at any time during the school year.
Questions about the application process and free or reduced-price meal benefits should be directed to the Department of Food Services at 301-392-5575.
Board wants staff, public to weigh in on facilities study
The Board of Education is hosting three public forums to provide information about a facilities report evaluating all Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) schools and centers as well as renovation and school construction recommendations for the next decade.
CCPS has scheduled the following sessions to present information to the public about the survey report, answer questions and accept comments:
-- Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, 6 p.m., Sept. 22, in the cafeteria;
-- La Plata High School, 6 p.m., Sept. 29, in the auditorium; and
-- Maurice J. McDonough High School, 6 p.m., Oct. 13, in the auditorium.
Last school year, the Charles County Commissioners approved payment for a comprehensive survey to assess the physical condition of each school building and site to determine its ability to provide students with a modern education program aligned with CCPS educational specifications. CCPS contracted GWWO Architects to compile and analyze data including school capacity, student enrollment, physical building conditions, staff survey responses, mechanical system conditions and site characteristics. The Board of Education, on Aug. 25, received the report from GWWO and the school system’s supporting services staff.
The next steps, according to Keith Hettel, assistant superintendent of supporting services, are to analyze the GWWO report, inform the public and solicit input; continue with current Capital Improvement Program (CIP) submissions; discuss affordability and forecasts with county government staff; revise CIP submissions at the county and state level; and work with the state on CCPS decisions on future renovations and new construction.
The complete report is located at http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/ccpsmd/Board.nsf/files/9NBNWZ61FB52/$file/GWWO-Study-DRAFT-description%20sheets_4102014.pdf.