Dear Parent/Guardian:

Our school provides healthy meals for all students each school day to ensure the best learning environment possible. The United States Department of Agriculture is allowing schools to provide meals free of charge for the 2021-22 school year.  A federal waiver has been issued in order to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to COVD-19.

Westonka Foodies has been asked to reach out to families and urge households to complete an application for Educational Benefits (free or reduced price meals) if their household income falls within any of the categories below.

School district financing is complex and funding is based on a number of criteria and is sourced by educational benefits including compensatory income (per pupil allotment), Title 1 (services helping to ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards), etc.

In addition, your child(ren) may qualify for additional benefits such as reduced activity fees, reduced fees within the community, or the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) which is a federal temporary emergency nutrition benefit that is loaded onto electronic cards for families to purchase food.

Families may have opted not to apply for Educational Benefits because Westonka Foodies is able to serve all students no cost breakfast and lunch in SY21-22. Unfortunately, the number of families that have completed an application for Educational Benefits is down significantly and this will impact our districts funding & budget.

If your household has already completed a SY21-22 application for Educational Benefits, no action is needed.

Completing an application is easy and can be done online at Skyward Family Access or with a paper copy (attached):

• Skyward Family Access – Login and select Food Service from the left hand quick links. Then from the drop down menu at the top left of the page select a student’s name. The application link will be at the top right of the screen.
• Paper application - Complete and scan/email to baileyd@westonka.k12.mn.us or fax to (952) 491-8083.

Contact Deb Bailey at (952) 491-8088 or baileyd@westonka.k12.mn.us for any questions or need help completing the application for Educational Benefits (free or reduced price application).

Warm regards,

Laura Metzger, RD., LD., SNS
Director of Food and Nutrition Services