Letter from District Office about Free & Reduced Lunch
Keota Community Schools
PO Box 88
Keota, Iowa 52248
641-636-2189 FAX 641-636-3009
Dear Keota Community School Patron,
We are writing to remind our Keota Community School families of all the benefits of completing a Free and Reduced lunch application. Many of the programs and funding streams that the district uses to provide high quality learning opportunities for our students depend on an accurate measure of the current socio-economic status of our students. Many grants (such as Title and eRate) that we rely on to provide high quality opportunities also use this data to decide who will be awarded funds. In addition to district benefits, there are several ways that families benefit when they complete these applications: free or reduced-price meals, reduced or waived book fees and driver’s education fees; reduced ACT/SAT costs; and benefits in college application processes to name a few. Completing the application is extremely important in many ways so we are pleased to announce that the process is becoming even easier!!
The district has received permission to use a web-based application that allows you to complete it from the privacy of your own home. We believe this will greatly simplify the process. You may apply electronically at our www.keota.k12.ia.us website under our registration page. You can also contact Gina Bennett (gina.bennett@keota.k12.ia.us or 641-636-2189) for help. Please make certain that you fill the form out completely and accurately.
We are also including a paper copy of the free/reduced price lunch application and instructions attached to this letter. If you are more comfortable with this format, please take a few minutes to complete the paperwork and return it to the school office or mail to Keota Community Schools, PO Box 88, Keota, IA 52248. Please be assured that all the information you provide is confidential.
Thank you in advance for your help with this important work! Even if you’re unsure about whether your family will qualify, we encourage you to complete the application anyway. Many families focus on the fact that they may not qualify for free meals, yet they may be eligible for reduced meals. Because events occur that impact a family’s financial situation, please know applications are available at all times throughout the school year. Simply contact Gina Bennett at 641-636-2189 or gina.bennett@keota.k12.ia.us for assistance.
Thank you very much!
It is the policy of the Keota School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have any questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the District’s Equity Coordinator: Lisa Brenneman, HS Principal, 505 N. Ellis Street, Keota, IA 52248.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.