As summer continues, work is underway to get the Escalon Unified School District sites in shape for the start of the new school year, which begins in August.
There’s also some good news on the food front for students, said District Food Service Manager Shelli Nicholas.
For the 2024-2025 the school year, the Escalon Unified School District has opted to participate in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the California State Universal Meals Program, said Nicholas.
“This means that all students enrolled in Escalon Unified schools will receive breakfast and lunch free of charge,” she noted.
However, it remains critical that families complete and submit the Alternate Income Form found in the ‘first day packet’ provided to students or fill out the form online at the site listed below. Families only need to complete one form per family, listing all their students on the form.
“Filling out the form allows us to continue to be eligible to participate in the programs that provide no cost meals to all students,” Nicholas said.
The Alternate Income Form may help to determine eligibility for other programs, like the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT), discounted technology and Wi-Fi programs, free AP exams and more. This form can be accessed online at: https://escalonusd.rocketscanapps.com/.
Children receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) or Medicaid (HUSKY A) benefits may be directly certified and automatically eligible for free meals without applying for benefits.
Any questions regarding SNAP/TFA/Medicaid and direct certification should be directed to Nicholas, who is the determining official, at 209-838-3170.
“If you have received a Notice of Direct Certification for free or reduced-price meals, you are not required to complete the Alternate Income Form unless instructed to do so by the district,” Nicholas added.
She also urged residents to let the school know if any children in the household are not listed on the Notice of Direct Certification letter they received, since meal benefits are extended to all children in a household when directly certified.
Additionally, all school-aged students can receive school meal benefits regardless of a student’s immigration status and the district/school does not release information for immigration-related purposes in the usual course of operating the Child Nutrition Programs.
The Escalon Unified School District complies with the federal requirements for meal modifications for students with special dietary needs. The requirements for meal modifications are different for students with and without disabilities.
Escalon Unified School District and the USDA are equal opportunity providers and employers.
