Good afternoon,  

I want to provide you with important updates on bridging the food security gap, our weekly meal distribution schedule, and Title 1 funding.

School isn’t just a place to learn, but a place where your family can depend on receiving healthy meals. Since March, our school nutrition department has provided over 400,000 universal free meals to children ages 18 and under regardless of family income or location.  We will continue to offer universal free meals in the fall semester whether your family is learning in-school or learning virtually.   All families are invited to participate and receive meals that meet our district’s high standard for nutrition. 

For virtual learners: Parents/guardians can still pick up weekly meal packs containing multiple breakfast and lunches from our two distribution sites, but please note we will now change that schedule beginning this week:. 

• Circleville Middle School’s weekly pick up is now either Tuesday 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. or Wednesday 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. and 
• Pine Bush High School’s weekly pick up is now either Tuesday 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. or Thursday 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.  

We do ask that you register at Family ID weekly so we can properly prepare for your arrival.  To keep families and staff safe, sites offer contact-free pick-up, so face coverings must be worn to protect you AND our staff.

For in school learners:  All children can receive a daily complete breakfast and lunch at no charge during their school day. 

However, even though we are able to provide free meals through December 31, we still need families to complete their free meal application that you will find in the center of our annual district printed calendar. Those calendars should be coming home to you this coming week. Those applications drive our level of Title 1 funding, which (among other things) helps to pay for several of our reading specialists. If your application is approved, families can also realize a potential reduction of costs related to Advanced Placement classes, Standardized test fees, and before and after school care costs.  

You don’t have to wait to get your district calendar; you can also complete this application quickly and securely online at https://www.myschoolapps.com/. The application is also available here on our district website.   

Regardless of your situation, we want to make sure all children have access to nutritious food in order to support better student health and improved student learning. We also want to prevent any reduction in future Title 1 funding.   

Families with questions regarding any information contained in this message should call the Pine Bush School Nutrition Department at (845) 744-2031 ext 2809. 

Tim O. Mains, Pine Bush Superintendent