The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on October 9 that it is extending regulatory flexibility in light of the pandemic to allow schools to offer free meals to all children through the current academic year. USDA had previously approved flexibility through December.

The flexibilities allow summer meal program operators to continue serving free meals to all children through June 2021. This unprecedented move will help ensure – no matter what the situation is on-the-ground – children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. USDA has been and continues to be committed to using the Congressionally appropriated funding that has been made available.  

Q: What does this mean for Highland students – including those enrolled in the VLA program?
A: All students now qualify for FREE lunch through June 2021.

Q: Does my child have to qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch status?
A: No. All students are eligible to receive meals through this federally subsidized program through June 2021 

If you have any questions, please contact the Food Service Department at 330-239-1901, ext. 5513.

Dear Parent or Guardian,
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) would like to invite you to participate in a 25 question survey about your involvement in your student’s education. You may be eligible to participate if your child has an IEP and receives special education services. The purpose of collecting this information is to improve services for students with disabilities across Ohio. If you are eligible to participate and you enroll in the study, you will be entered in a drawing for several $50 Amazon gift cards. Your chance of winning a gift card is approximately 2.0%. Please click on this LINK or use the QR code provided to find out more about the survey. The survey will be open through November 30.

Sincerely, David Julian, Ph.D.
Special Education Family Survey Director
OhioFamilySurvey@osu.edu
(Collecting surveys on behalf of the Ohio Department of Education)

The Highland School District will offer lunches at NO COST to ANY Highland students enrolled in the Virtual Learning Academy. This service is offered in conjunction with the USDA free lunch program. You do not have to be eligible for free and reduced lunch status to qualify. 

The district will offer school lunch meal “pick-up” on a weekly distribution. Families with students enrolled in the Highland VLA can receive a WEEKLY allotment of their child's school lunches. 

Beginning Monday, September 28 through Friday, December 20, 2020 (end of the USDA free lunch program), lunches will be distributed to families for the entire week. Each lunch bag will contain 5 complete lunches. (Please note, we will not be serving lunches on weekends or scheduled holidays).

All orders must be placed by 12 p.m. on Friday preceding the upcoming week's offering OR parents may sign up for all 12 weeks when completing the form. Parents must complete the following “VLA Lunch Request Distribution Form” in order to receive the free lunches. (COMPLETE A SEPARATE FORM FOR EACH CHILD).  DOWNLOAD FORM