More students are now eligible for the first phase of the provincial school lunch program.
In an email to parents, Minister of Education Becky Druhan says older students can now be included.
“In schools that combine elementary and older grades, older students will now be included in phase one and be able to access lunches this fall. That means in a school that is pre-primary or primary to any other grade, all students will be able to access lunch.”
The original cut-off for phase one, was at grade 6.
Jennifer Heatley, Executive Director with Communities, Culture Tourism and Heritage tell us says the change to a full-school approach, was decided after consulting with the region, teachers and principals.
“It could be challenging logistically to be rolling out the lunch program with the younger and not the older ones. Of course, every school is different in terms of how the lunch hours are organized, and what grades are part of the lunch hours and different times.”
There will also be a confidential online system for payment, that will not share the amount paid for a student’s meal.
Schools and food service providers are the only ones who will know a meal has been ordered.
The program will be offered in 256 schools starting this October.
