RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT:
Enclosed are two sets of the Renewal of the Agreement between the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) and the School Food Authority (SFA). This agreement must be completed to participate in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Afterschool Snack Program and/or the Special Milk Program for the regular school term and/or the summer sessions of the 2004-2005 school year. Complete the Renewal of Agreement, indicating the programs the school plans to continue operating, dates of operation, and any new programs the school plans to implement.
Breakfast Mandate
Reminder, Act 826 of 1991 requires all schools with 20% or more of the students eligible for free and reduced price meals during the preceding school year, to provide students with a school breakfast program.
Direct Certification
Each school district in Arkansas will participate in the Direct Certification of free eligibles. For additional information refer to Director's Memo IA-04-098.
Verification:
Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, USDA will require each school district to report to the Department of Education the results of the verification process. USDA is currently working on the forms that will be used. These forms and instructions will be provided in a Director's Memo as soon as it is made available. SCHEDULE A'S
Program Renewal Schedule A
Two copies of the individual districts Schedule A are enclosed. Make corrections and additions to Schedule A to reflect the correct information for the 2004-2005 school year. The agreement cannot be approved without the UPDATED INDIVIDUALIZED Schedule A mailed to each district as part of this packet.
Consolidation and Annexation Schedule A
Districts involved in consolidation or annexation will receive the existing Schedule A's based on the 2003-2004 school district information. The school districts involved in consolidation or annexation will need to coordinate the submission of revised Schedule A's for the reorganized district. District's in the consolidation or annexation process may call Wanda Shockey or Karen Franklin at 501-324-9502 to request a deadline extension if needed.
New Program Schedule A's
Afterschool Snack Schedule A
Reimbursement is available for after school snacks served to students who are 18 years old or under and participate in a program to provide after school care. If one or more of the schools in the district plan to have after school programs and would like to provide snacks, complete the attached Schedule A SY 2004-2005 for Afterschool Snack Programs. REMEMBER, NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE AFTERSCHOOL SNACK PROGRAM CAN BE PAID UNLESS THE AFTERSCHOOL SNACK PROGRAM SCHEDULE A IS COMPLETED AND APPROVED PRIOR TO THE START OF THE PROGRAM. See Agreement 2001-2002 School Year Between School Food Authority and Arkansas Department of Education (the Agreement) page 5 for specific program requirements.
Seamless Summer Waiver Request and Schedule A
The Seamless Summer Program should be available for the summer of 2005. This program makes it possible to serve up to two (2) meals per day (breakfast, lunch, morning snack, afternoon snack and/or supper) free to students participating in summer programs, other than regular summer school. To participate in the program during the summer of 2005 complete the Seamless Summer Feeding Waiver Request FY 2005 and Schedule A-Seamless Summer Food Service Program (SSFP) Funded through ADE at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of the program. Remember all sites requesting a Seamless Summer Feeding Waiver will be checked with the Special Nutrition Program, Arkansas Department of Human Services to eliminate duplication of effort.
DO NOT SUBMIT THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT THE PROGRAM RENEWAL SCHEDULE A that was sent to the district as part of this packet.
RENEWAL OF POLICY STATEMENT FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS:
Enclosed are two copies of the Renewal of the Policy Statement for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2004-2005 school year and one copy of the Free and Reduced Price Meal Application Packet. Complete, sign and return BOTH copies of the Renewal of Policy Statement for Free and Reduced Price Meals 2004-2005 School Year. Read the Policy Statement and Free and Reduced Price Meals Application Packet carefully.
The Free and Reduced Price Meals Packet Forms should not be returned with the Policy Statement UNLESS changes have been made. Send two copies of any changed forms from the packet with the two signed copies of the Renewal of the Policy Statement.
FORMS:
The Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application and Verification forms can be printed from the Internet and modified to include school district information.
MAY 15, 2004 DEADLINE:
Complete and return both copies of the Renewal of Agreement and Program Renewal Schedule A's along with both copies of the Renewal of Policy Statement for Free and Reduced Price Meals and additional program Schedule A's by May 15. DO NOT HOLD for a new superintendent’s signature and/or meal prices. The Agreement and Policy Statement can be updated at anytime during the school year with a letter from the superintendent. Complete and return the attached checklist to be sure that all requested materials are returned.
Mail to:
Child Nutrition Unit, ADE
2020 West Third Street, Suite 404
Little Rock, AR 72205-4465
A Renewal of Agreement, Schedule A, and Policy Statement will be returned to the Food Service Authority after it has been approved and signed by the Child Nutrition Director.
ELIGIBILITY FOR SEVERE NEED BREAKFAST REIMBURSEMENT:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides additional reimbursement for the School Breakfast Program for individual schools that meet the following criteria:
1. The reimbursement rates under the regular breakfast program are insufficient to cover the cost of the program.
2. The school is currently participating in or desiring to initiate the breakfast program.
3. Forty percent (40%) or more of the lunches served to students at the school in the second preceding school year (2002-2003) were served free or at a reduced price. (Records of meals served by category must be maintained by the school. Eligibility cannot be determined based on combined records of two schools served in the same site.)
Applications for Severe Need Reimbursement for the School Breakfast Program for the 2004-2005 school year will be mailed to those schools approved last year. If one or more schools will be eligible, contact Jimmy Burks at (501) 324-9502 for an application. Remember that reports verifying breakfast meal costs are required. If reports verify that the full severe need reimbursement rate was not needed to cover costs, the unused funds must be returned.
SPECIAL MILK PROGRAM:
The Special Milk Program is available for students who do not have access to lunch, breakfast, or afterschool snacks. If the district is interested in this program, contact Barbara Smith at (501) 324-9502.
SCHOOL MEAL INITIATIVE (SMI):
The "Three Steps to Healthy School Meals" was developed to assist districts in meeting the USDA nutritional goals. Check the appropriate box by each school on Schedule A if this resource is being used to plan menus. This will assist the Child Nutrition Unit in monitoring and soliciting grant funds to update these materials.