Direct Certification Notification Letter
NOTIFICATION LETTER
CERTIFICATION FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your children listed below have been approved for free school meals. This approval is based on Minnesota Family Investment Plan (MFIP) or Food Stamp data provided to this school district by the Minnesota Department of Education.
It is not necessary for you to complete an Application for Educational Benefits or to contact us to receive free school meals for the children listed below. If you have any students in your household who are not listed below, you can apply for free or reduced-price school meals for those students by completing an Application for Educational Benefits.
Please contact us if you feel that your child has been incorrectly certified for free school meals or if you do not want to receive free school meals.
Child's Name School Name
CONFIDENTIALITY: Information on a household's participation in MFIP or Food Stamps is private data that may be used to establish eligibility for free school meals, as allowed by federal and state law. In addition to being used to provide free school meals, a student's school meal eligibility status is an "essential data element" that is recorded on a statewide computer system that all Minnesota school districts use to report data to the MN Department of Education, as required by state law. The Department uses this information to (1) administer state and federal programs, (2) calculate state compensatory revenue to school districts, and (3) judge the quality of the state's educational program. A student's school meal eligibility status may also be released by the school district to persons directly connected with a federal education program, a state health or education program administered by a state agency or a school, or any federal, state, or local nutrition program with participation requirements similar to the National School Lunch Program. School officials may use the information to send you information about other programs or benefits that you qualify for. School meal eligibility status by name is not released for any other purposes unless the parent or guardian's consent is obtained. School meal eligibility information is also used for statistical purposes, without identification by name.
If you have any questions, please contact:
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, we are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.
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