Children may also qualify for free/reduced lunches.  If your child(ren) qualified for free or reduced-price meals at the end of last school year, you must submit a new application for this school year in order to avoid an interruption in meal benefits.  And, as a reminder, these forms can be submitted at any time throughout the school year should your income change. Please submit forms early. 

You only need to fill out one form per family (not per child).  All application forms are confidential, and should be returned to:  

• Dan Kennedy, Principal, Lawrence-Nelson Public Schools, PO Box 368, Nelson, NE 68961-0368.

You will be given a paper copy at the beginning of the school year.  Please note new forms come out annually on or around July 1st. If you disagree with your free/reduced lunch status, you should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Julie Otero, Supt. of Schools, South Central NE USD #5, 30671 Hwy 14, Fairfield, NE  68938 or call toll-free at 1.877.726.2151 or Email Julie Otero

April 3, 2023

1. School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, After School Snack Program or Special Milk Program must include the nondiscrimination statement in their student handbook in the section that addresses access to or information about the school meals program. It must also be included on the school's web site if school meal information is available.

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, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

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 Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may 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 complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_ filing cust.html, 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

1. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

2. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

If the material is too small to permit the full statement to be included, the material will at a minimum include this statement, in print no smaller than the text: "This institution is an equal opportunity provider."

2. The USDA "And Justice for All" poster must be displayed at each feeding site in a location that is visible to students during meal service.

3. Provide appropriate translations of materials concerning the availability and nutritional benefits of the school meals program, as needed. This requirement can be met through the use of bilingual staff members, volunteers and/or informational materials in appropriate languages.

4. Follow this procedure for Accepting and Filing Complaints of Discrimination in the School Meals Program

• RIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT: Any person alleging discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability has a right to file a complaint within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory
  action.

• ACCEPTANCE: All complaints, written or verbal, shall be accepted by the School Food Authority