(ADVISER’S NOTE: The following information was provided to all Park County School District 1 patrons and staff on March 17.)

Park County School District #1 will provide a free breakfast and lunch meal for any child under 18 beginning on Tuesday, March 24, 9-11 a.m. ,through Friday, April 3, or until students are physically back in school buildings.

Park County School District #1 has received approval for a non-congregate serving of free meals at Southside Elementary School during the time of our school closure due to the COVID-19 virus. While school is in session our district serves over 1400 student meals/day and we recognize the importance of children to have nutritional meals available to them even in times of emergency school closures. Do not think that only those children that go to or live around Southside Elementary School are the only ones that can partake in this service. All children under 18 who reside within the borders of Park County School District #1 are eligible for these meals. Southside Elementary is the only location within the district that met the requirements necessary for the waiver.

These will not be hot meals as you know it but sack meals that have met the requirements set forth under the Summer School Lunch program. They will be packaged together in the same sack. Our school nutrition staff will be preparing the meals for distribution each day and they have all been certified in serve safe and the kitchens are all under strict hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) procedures. These same staff will be handing out the sack meals in a drive-through format at Southside Elementary School and taking counts of the number of meals. We will have a table set up for walk-up service and will provide signage. We do ask that you show common courtesy and practice the social distancing of six feet if you are in the line. You do not need to get out of your cars nor do you need to have your children with you in order to receive the meals. If you come through the line and tell us you need three (3) meals, you will receive three (3) breakfast and lunch meals and away you drive.

Since this is on an honor system, we ask that you do not abuse this free food service and you are only getting meals for your children or children that are in your care. Children do not have to be school age to qualify to receive these meals.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, we may make program information available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: [email protected]. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.