Preschool Meals
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
All of Shenandoah Community Preschool students eat free breakfast and free lunch! There is no need to fill out Free and Reduced Meal Application.
It is the goal of School Food and Nutrition Services to feed all students of Shenandoah Preschool a nutritious and well balanced meal. Starting in the 2018-2019 school year, all students will be able to eat a reimbursable breakfast and lunch for FREE. The meals will be funded through the USDA's Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Research has shown that students who eat breakfast and lunch on a daily basis increase their attendance, improve their behavior and perform better in school. Participation is automatic and families are not required to fill out any forms or applications.
What is the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)? Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) was created as part of the USDA's National School Lunch Program. It allows schools with high eligibility for free and reduced-price meals to provide a no-cost reimbursable lunch and breakfast for all students in the school regardless of income.
Will my child receive free or reduced-price meals even if we aren’t income eligible? All students in the CEP school will receive a no-cost reimbursable lunch and breakfast meal regardless of income. The meal must meet the federal guideline for reimbursable meals. This does not include milk only sales, extra entrees, or a la carte sales.
Why am I being asked to complete the CEP Household Income Data Collection Form and Fee Waiver Benefits Forms? The CEP program allows schools to provide no-cost reimbursable meals to all students regardless of income; therefore, free and reduced-price meals applications are no longer needed to determine eligibility. However, the Department of Education has historically used the number of eligible students to determine the amount of state aid for school districts, among other things. A school with more eligible students generally will receive more state aid. The form also includes a section for waiving or reducing certain allowable fees within the district.
I have more than one child – do I need to fill out more than one form? One (1) form is needed if all your children.
What happens if I refuse to fill out the CEP Household Income Data Collection Form? If households fail to complete the CEP Household Income Data Collection Form, the delivery of programs and services in your child’s school may be impacted; therefore, it is very important that every household accurately completes the form.
Will the district share my information? The information collected on the CEP Household Income Data Form and Fee Waiver Benefits Forms will be protected using the same protocol as the information collected through the National School Lunch Program’s Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application.
What if my child changes schools? Your child is eligible for no-cost meals at the school where he/she is currently enrolled. If he/she eats meals at or transfers to a non-CEP school during the 2020-2021 school year, you may be responsible for meal charges.
What will happen to my child’s meal account? Meal accounts that have money may be transferred to a sibling’s account or money may be refunded. Money can also stay on the account for additional a la carte items served at schools. All meal accounts with a negative balance will remain on the account until fully paid. Contact the Food and Nutrition Services office at 712-246-3773 or e-mail manleyb@shencsd.com to inquire about your student’s account.
Who should I contact with questions about the CEP Household Income Data Form and Fee Waiver Benefits Forms or the CEP program? All questions should first be directed to the Director of Food and Nutrition Service