VYPE Goose Creek August 2022

Serving Healthy Meals for Healthy Kids BY: KRISTYN HUNT CATHEY, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS The Goose Creek CISD Nutrition Services Department has partnered with Aramark for over 30 years to provide healthy meals that meet federal nutrition guidelines for sodium, calories and saturated and trans-fat. Under the leadership of Nutrition Services Director, Natalie Edwards, the Nutrition Services team strives to find the balance between satisfying USDA guidelines as well as the taste buds of Goose Creek students. “We want the students to enjoy eating the meals we serve,” Edwards said. Numerous studies have shown a direct correlation between

2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR START TIMES ELEMENTARY | TIER 1 Clark, Travis, De Zavala, Highlands, Hopper, Victoria Walker

START

END

EARLY RELEASE

7:45 AM

3:15 PM

11:45 AM

ELEMENTARY | TIER 2 San Jacinto, Lamar, Crockett, Carver, Ashbel Smith, Bowie, Pumphrey, Liles

students receiving healthy food and improved behavior and academic performance. The Nutrition Services department offered free breakfast for all students, regardless of their meal status,

START 8:05 AM

END

EARLY RELEASE

3:35 PM

12:05 PM

ELEMENTARY | TIER 3 Alamo, Austin, Harlem, Banuelos

last school year and will do so again for the 2022-2023 school year. Students simply need to go to their respective cafeteria during breakfast hours to get something to eat prior to their first class. Unfortunately, the USDA free meal provision that allowed our district to provide free lunch for all students was not extended for the 2022-2023 school year. However, the meal prices will be cost effective. Students that meet the threshold for free lunch will continue to receive their meals at no charge. Reduced meals will cost $0.40 and paid meals will cost $2.15. After school snacks or suppers will continue to be at no charge for students; regardless of their meal status. Due to the USDA provisional change, families are highly

SCHOOL MEALS BREAKFAST – no charge for students at all LUNCH – All grade levels Free $0.00 Reduced $0.40 Paid $2.15 AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS OR SUPPERS – no charge for students, regardless of meal status. We also encourage parents to complete a new meal application each school year.

START 8:30 AM

END

EARLY RELEASE

4:00 PM

12:30 PM

JUNIOR SCHOOL | ALL

START 8:30 AM

END

EARLY RELEASE

4:00 PM

12:30 PM

HIGH SCHOOL | MAIN CAMPUSES Goose Creek Memorial, Robert E. Lee, Ross S. Sterling

START 7:45 AM

END

EARLY RELEASE

3:15 PM

11:45 AM

HIGH SCHOOL | SPECIALIZED CAMPUSES

Scan QR code to complete the free/reduced meal application .

CAMPUS

START END EARLY RELEASE 8:00 AM 3:30 PM 12:00 PM

IMPACT ECHS Peter E. Hyland

7:45 AM 3:15 PM 11:45 AM POINT Alternative 7:45 AM 3:15 PM 11:45 AM Stuart Career Tech 7:25 AM 2:55 PM 11:25 AM

encouraged to complete the free/reduced meal application. This application has been used to qualify families for additional financial benefits through Texas Health and Human Services. A new application must be completed for each child every school year. The Nutrition Services Department has an online application. Go to the district website and click on the “Menus” tab on the home page. From there, click on the tab that says, “Free and Reduced Meal Application.” You will need to create an account. You may also need your student’s ID number and birthdate, TANF/SNAP case number and household income. If you would like assistance completing your application, call 281-424-4640 for assistance over the phone. “We are thankful for the support of our families as we make this transition to the paidmeal system,” Edwards said. “Our goal is to continue to provide excellent customer service and quality meals at a great price for our students; and that is what we will continue to do.”

EARLY CHILDHOOD | SPECIAL EDUCATION

CAMPUS

START END 7:45 AM 9:45 AM

Tier 1 Campus (Hopper) AM Tier 1 Campus (Hopper) PM

9:45 AM 11:45 AM Tier 2 Campus (Bowie, Carver) AM 8:05 AM 10:05 AM Tier 2 Campus (Bowie, Carver) PM 10:05 AM 12:05 PM