Heather Bell
RADFORD – After starting the school year with meal pick-ups at Belle Heth Elementary School, Radford City Public Schools announced this week it will be returning to meal deliveries via school bus next week.
“Due to the many needs of our community members as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to go back to delivering our meals instead of having the community pick them up on Mondays at Belle Heth,” reads a statement by RCPS Superintendent Robert Graham. “Beginning next Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, from 10:30 a.m. – noon, school buses will be delivering breakfast and lunch meals to students just as we did this past summer. They will be delivering the appropriate meals (Hybrid – three breakfast/lunch meals and Virtual – five breakfast/lunch meals) using their school year 20-21 current bus routes, the same routes they use to currently transport our hybrid students to school. Please review the morning bus routes (www.rcps.org) and add three hours and 15 minutes to your child’s pick-up time to provide you an idea of when to expect the food deliveries.”
The school meals are available at no charge for all children 18 and under, due to a waiver by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“The USDA has approved waivers for local school divisions and other federal meal program sponsors to implement the Summer Food Service Program to provide meals to children in the community free of charge through Dec. 31, 2020. The waivers support access to nutritious meals while minimizing exposure to COVID-19,” according to a statement by Graham. “The new school year requires a new meal application. Although school meals will be provided free to all children, school funding depends on completed meal applications. A new meal application must be completed if you have not already been notified that your student is approved for free meals. It is important to submit a completed meal application as soon as possible.”
Only one meal application is needed for each household Applications are available online at rcpsschoolnutrition.com, as well as additional information regarding meal distribution.
In other school information, the School Board has a special called school board meeting on Sept. 22, 2020 at 6 p.m. in the School Administration Building. A copy of the agenda can be seen at www.rcps.org.
“Due to CDC and VDH requirements regarding building occupancy numbers and social distancing measures during this pandemic, we have the capacity to safely have 20 citizens participate in person,” according to RCPS. “Citizens and school community members can continue to access a live stream of the special called school board meeting by clicking – September 22 Special Called Board Meeting on www.rcps.org. Public comments will be allowed in person or also electronically. If you have questions or concerns regarding Tuesday’s meeting please contact Kerri Long, clerk of the board, or Rob Graham, superintendent.
