Free school meals: 8 buildings qualify for 2023-24 school year

School breakfast and lunch meals are offered to all students in the North Syracuse Central School District through the district’s Food Service Program. The Board of Education, the legal sponsor of the program, is committed to ensuring that every child has access to healthy and nutritious meals. Meal prices are set according to the United States Department of Agriculture program guidelines.

The North Syracuse Central School District is proud to take part in the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision Program (CEP), which allows qualifying schools to provide free breakfast and lunch meals for all students. CEP schools are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Unfortunately, not all of our schools met eligibility requirements this year. 
 
The following schools did qualify for CEP:

• Allen Road Elementary School
• KWS Bear Road Elementary School  
• Cicero North Syracuse High School  
• North Syracuse Jr. High School  
• North Syracuse Early Education Program
• Roxboro Road Elementary School
• Roxboro Road Middle School
• Smith Road Elementary School

Students who attend qualifying schools can get free breakfast and lunch all year. If your student attends one of the other schools, you can still apply for free or reduced meals. More information and the application can be found on the Food Services page of the district website. 
 
School menus and prices have been posted online for September.  Breakfast meals cost $2.30 for all grade-level students. Lunch meals are priced at $3.30 for K-4 students and $3.55 for 5-12 students. While school meals are reasonably priced, some families may still need assistance. Families should complete an application for free and reduced price meals. Even if your child chooses to bring their own lunch, or goes to a school where all students receive free lunch, filling out the form is very important! It ensures that your school gets all of the funding and benefits available to support teachers and students. In addition, even if your child does not eat school lunch, students who qualify for free lunch also can receive other benefits like:

• Discounts for your family on utilities and internet service
• Reduced fees for SAT and ACT tests and college applications
• Reduced College Application Fees

Is the Information I Submit Confidential?
The information you submit on the Free and Reduced application cannot be shared by the Food Service Department.
Personal information submitted on the form is not shared with the state or federal government: only the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch is shared.

Principals and teachers are not told which students qualify for free or reduced lunch benefits. NSCSD does not share information with other organizations that provide benefits. But if your child does qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, you may use the eligibility form provided by NSCSD to qualify for other benefits through providers like Spectrum Cable and National Grid.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Food Services at 315-218-2176.