Bear Creek K-8

Jeffco Public Schools

Dear Families, 

We need your help. This year our middle school qualified for Title 1 funding, this is based on the percentage of students who qualified for Free and Reduced Lunch programming last year. This year, ALL students eat for free based on the passage of the Health School Meals for All by the Colorado voters. This means that no matter what your Free and Reduced lunch status, your child will eat for free at school. This is great news, however, we still do need you to complete your application for Free and Reduced Lunch, even if you do not feel like you will qualify. This application also helps families who might need assistance with School Fees and other needs. If we do not qualify for Title 1 for next year, we will lose about $130,000 in funding for next year. This year we are using this money to pay for a teacher, our JCMH therapist, classroom technology, and funding for family events. We also receive the benefit of a Family Engagement Liaison. This funding is imperative to our success. Please do this before Oct. 1st. Here are the directions to follow: 

Instructions on how to complete a Meal Benefits Application

1) Log in to School Café or set up a new School Café account (you will need an account and may not complete an Application as a "Guest"). 

2) Once you log in, select Apply on the left side of the screen (under Benefits) and this will take you to the Meal Benefits Application.

Please note: 

• Only one application is required for all students in the household.

• All household income information provided through the Meal Benefits Application is strictly confidential and protected by law.

• Families who are receiving benefits through programs such as SNAP, TANF and FDPIR do not need to complete a Meal Benefits Application.

While online applications are preferred, paper applications will also be available starting July 1 of each year at the Food & Nutrition Services office located at 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO. You can visit the office Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Paper applications are also available at your student's school.

Families who are enrolled in SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, the Migrant Education Program, or other qualifying assistance programs might be directly certified for free meals in Jeffco. This information is automatically transferred to Jeffco Public Schools for school meal eligibility, and it is not necessary for families participating in these any of these programs to complete a Meal Benefits Application.

Additional meals may be purchased by a student, for a cost. Students may use cash, or money that has been added to their School Cafe account. Contact Lorena Gomez-Vazquez, Free & Reduced Lunch Specialist, Food & Nutrition Services at 303-982-6916 with questions about Meal Benefits Applications. 

Thank you so much for this support! 

Lara Wiant