The Free Meal Program Means More than Free Meals
The Pulaski County School System is fortunate to have many programs and services for students and families. Our children have the latest technology, research based classroom programs and certainly no student should ever be without school supplies, food, or clothing. In addition, services such as medical care, after school programs, tutoring, parent education, and health education is offered.
Pulaski County Schools can offer these services without direct cost to the local taxpayer. However, these programs, all or in part, are funded by grants based on the numbers of students eligible for free school meals. This information is gathered from the Free or Reduced Priced Meal Application that is sent home with your child at the beginning of the school year. Technology, Family Resource and Youth Services Centers, Title I (reading and math programs), Title VI (drop-out prevention such as Pulaski Central), Title IV (intervention programs and services), SEEK funding from the state department as well as most competitive grants including early reading programs and GEAR UP are dependent upon information gathered from these forms.
It is important that we not only keep existing programs intact but that we expand services when the need in the community arises. Therefore, it is crucial that all families with children in the Pulaski County School System fill out a free or reduced meal application and return it to the school where your child attends.
Even if a family does not qualify for free meals or wish to participate in the free meal program, it is vital that we have a completed application for all families. Of course all information is kept confidential. Questions about the free meal program should be directed to the school or to Pulaski County Board of Education at 679-1123.