Parents can apply now for free and reduced price meal benefits for the 2020-21 school year. The application is live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application.
The application includes a language option in Spanish for Spanish-speaking families. The language option is located in the upper-right hand corner of the application’s main screen. CCPS determines eligibility through income guidelines established by the federal government.
CCPS serves a variety of breakfast and lunch menu items during the school year for students at low costs for parents. For the 2020-21 school year, prices for elementary school students are $1.35 for breakfast and $2.80 for lunch. Middle and high school students can purchase breakfast for $1.50 and lunch for $3.05.
The reduced price for breakfast is $0.10 and $0.20 for lunch. Families with more than one child attending CCPS only need to complete one application per household. Paper applications will be available at schools once they open for the new school year.
School system staff review applications for eligibility and incomplete applications are not reviewed. Additionally, all provided information may be checked for eligibility verification.
Approved applications are only valid for one school year and need to be resubmitted at the start of each new school year. Benefits for the 2019-20 school year end in October, or when parents receive notification benefits for the 2020-21 school year are approved.
The carryover period for free and reduced price meals for the 2020-21 school year ends Oct. 14. The carryover period is the time the USDA allows students to remain on the prior year’s meal status. Students who were on free or reduced meal status in the 2019-20 school year will revert back to full paid status on Oct. 15 if a new application is not submitted.
Parents can also apply at any time during the school year. Questions about the application process and free or reduced-price meal benefits should be directed to the CCPS Department of Food and Nutrition Services at 301-392-5570.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,521 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).
About USDA
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, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior credible activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
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 responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint 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: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.