Brian Jones addressed the Wetzel County Board of Education Monday about how proper nutrition is an important aspect in helping students achieve higher learning. “Children perform better academically when their basic needs are met,” said Jones, director of ancillary services, who presented the board with a directive to increase participation in the School Breakfast Program.

Wetzel County Schools has offered breakfast to students for years, however Jones notes the breakfast program is grossly underutilized, stating a startling 829 students who qualify for free meals don’t participate.

Paden City Elementary School and Long Drain School have already added the second breakfast time and Jones states more children have in fact participated in the program because of the mid-morning meal session.

The second breakfast session is intended to be after first period; Jones will give information to county principals on how to implement such a meal program in their schools. Jones clarified during the meeting that students do not get a second breakfast, but rather will have the option of when to eat breakfast.

When asked what benefits there were to having the second breakfast option, Watt explained that particularly with high school students, the students simply aren’t ready to eat so early. “This gives them (students) an opportunity to get sustenance when they’re ready,” she said. Referring to the proposed second breakfast option, Jones added, “We’re hoping this meets a need.”

More information on this program, particularly for parents, will be available in the near future.

Along with the focus of increasing student achievement, Testing Coordinator Tammy Wells gave a celebratory report of the WesTest2 results which overall indicated test scores in the county were improving. According to Wells, Wetzel County Schools met or exceeded the state percentage of students scoring at or above mastery in several–and in the case of Magnolia High School, all–grade levels in the areas of mathematics and/or reading/language arts. Furthermore, in the rare case where scores were below mastery level, Wells noted scores were still improved from last year’s results. Wells added that to help increase scores in designated grades/problem areas, many schools in the county will address improvement strategies within the strategic plan.

“My hat’s off to the schools,” said Board President Mike Blair, who noted the WesTest2 scores further proved that “some findings aren’t always the findings.”

More detailed results of the WesTest2 are forthcoming. Additionally, comprehensive score reports and plans will be presented at the regularly scheduled LSIC meetings this fall.

The next regular meeting of the Wetzel County Board of Education will be Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at the county office.

Additionally, as the Labor Day holiday falls on the regularly scheduled September meeting, the board agreed to instead meet the following day, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. at the county office.

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Free/Reduced Meal Guidelines Given

The Wetzel County Board of Education has announced its policy for free and reduced price meals for participants who are unable to pay the full price meals or milk served in schools, centers, institutions, or homes that participate in the National School Lunch, Breakfast Programs, the Snack Program under NSLP; the Child and Adult Care Food Program; the Summer Food Service Program; or in the Special Milk Program.

The Wetzel County Board of Education has adopted the following family size income criteria for use in determining the eligibility of participants for free and reduced price meals and free milk, listed as household size and its maximum annual, monthly, and weekly incomes: one, $20,147, $1,679, $388; two, $27,214, $2,268, $524; three, $34,281, $2,857, $660; four, $41,348, $3,446, $796; five, $48,415, $4,035, $932; six, $55,482, $4,624; $1,067; seven, $62,549, $5,213, $1,203; eight, $69,616, $5,802, $1,339; each additional person, $7,067, $589, $136.

Application forms are being sent to some homes with a letter to parents, guardians, or adult household members. Online applications are also available at www.wvschoolmeals. net. All parents, guardians, or adult household members wishing to apply for free or reduced price meals or free milk may fill out the application form sent home by the school, center, institution, or home. 

Additional copies of the application are available at all sites and county offices. The information provided on the application is confidential information to be used only for the purposes of determining eligibility of the participant or sharing this information with other agencies sponsoring USDA Child Nutrition Programs. An application may be submitted at any time during the school year, but must be submitted annually for continued eligibility. Information given on the application may be verified at any time during the school year by school or program officials.

So that the school or program officials can determine eligibility for free or reduced price benefits, the household applying for a child must provide all of the following information listed on the application:  names of all household members; the last four-digits of the Social Security number of the household member who signs the application or a statement that the household member does not possess one; amount and source of income received by each household member; and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct. Households currently receiving Food Stamps or TANF benefits for children must indicate a Food Stamp/TANF Program Case Number for the household. The signature of an adult household member is required to certify the information provided on the application is correct.

Households with foster and non-foster children may choose to include the foster child as a household member, as well as any personal income earned by the foster child, on the same household application that includes their non-foster children. Foster payments received by the family from the placing agency are not considered income and do not need to be reported. The signature of an adult household member is required to certify the information provided on the application is correct.

To determine eligibility for free or reduced price benefits for adult participants, the household or adult participant must provide the following information on the application: name of adult participant and adult participant’s dependent(s) and spouse residing with the participant; the last four-digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application, or a statement that person does not possess one; participant’s income and dependent(s) and spouse’s income, if residing with the participant; and the signature of participant or adult household member.  Food Stamp, TANF, (or in the case of Adult Day Care SSI and Medicaid), households only have to provide the participant’s name and current Food Stamp, TANF case number, SSI and Medicaid number and an adult household member’s signature.

Eligibility status remains in effect for one program year. 

If there is a change in household size or income that would reflect an increase in benefits for the program participant, reapplication is encouraged.

Under the provision of the free and reduced price meal and free milk policy, the school principal or program director will review applications and determine eligibility. 

If a parent, guardian, or adult household member is dissatisfied with the decision, she may wish to discuss the decision with the principal or director on an informal basis. If the parent, guardian, or adult household member wishes to make a formal complaint or request a hearing to appeal the decision, she should contact either orally or in writing: Brian S. Jones, Director of Ancillary Services, 333 Foundry St., New Martinsville, WV  26155; 304-455-2441 Ext. 111 or 800-317-5437.

  The sponsor, Wetzel County Board of Education, has a policy contains an outline of the hearing procedures.

In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; or call toll free 866-632-9992 (Voice); Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay at 800-877-8339 or 800-845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Each school, child, and adult care center, institution or site, home, and the office of the sponsor has a copy of the complete policy which may be reviewed by any interested party.