BPSF receives anonymous donation to payoff $10,000 in child nutrition accounts

The Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation recently received a $10,000 donation from an anonymous Bartlesville High School alum to pay off most of the negative balances in students’ child nutrition accounts. The generous donor, now based in St. Louis, maintains connections to our community and identified this as a critical need.

According to Jon Beckloff, Manager of Child Nutrition, the negative balances in student accounts will total about $17,000 at the end of this semester.  Previous state policy required that the child nutrition program absorb its negative balances at year-end and begin each school year with its accounts at zero. So no student began the 2017-18 school year with a negative balance. But state policy no longer provides for that annual reset, making this donation especially welcome.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, of the 6,050 students in the Bartlesville Public School District, 49.85% currently qualify for free and reduced lunches. Beckloff knows the percentage who actually qualify for that support is even higher, as illustrated by the negative accounts.

Many grants are available to the district if its free and reduced percentage is over 50%, so all parents and guardians are encouraged to complete the online application for Free and Reduced Meals. It takes about seven minutes to complete. The district needs only one application for all children in the household who attend school in Bartlesville Public Schools, and the application must be renewed every year.

Eligibility for free or reduced price school meals benefits is based on any one of three things: 1) total household income and size in the month the application is filled out, or the month before; 2) the child’s individual status as foster, homeless, migrant, or runaway; or 3) participation in an assistance program by any member of the household. A person’s U.S. citizenship or immigration status does not affect his or her eligibility for free or reduced-price benefits. Details are available online.

Qualifying students receive other benefits as well, including reduced costs when purchasing a cap and gown for graduation, Richard Kane YMCA memberships, and more.

Visit heartlandapps.com to apply or to learn more about the online application process.

• Free & Reduced Meals Information

Parents may also contact Frankie Ryan, CNP Compliance Assistant, at 918-333-7966 ext. 1594 with any questions about the online application. Paper copies of the application are also always available to be picked up at each school office, each cafeteria, the Child Nutrition Office at Madison Middle School, or the Education Service Center.

If you would like to donate to this or another program in the District, contact Blair Ellis at the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation at 918-336-8600 ext 3523.