A national program will allow Sherman ISD to provide meals at no cost to all students starting in the 2023-24 school year. Students of all ages will automatically receive free breakfast and lunch without the need for a free and reduced-price meal application.
Free meals were available in the 2022-23 school year at all SISD elementary and early childhood schools. This summer, the district received approval to expand the program to include Piner Middle School, Sherman Middle School, and Sherman High School for the next four school years.
This change eliminates the burden on families to complete the annual meal application, reduces financial stress, and increases access to nutritious meals at school.
“Our goal is to provide the best for our students, from their education to their health and general well-being,” said Sherman ISD Superintendent Dr. Tyson Bennett. “The expansion of this provision to all campuses enhances our efforts to provide every student with the nutrition and energy they need to achieve academic success.”
A free breakfast includes a fruit and at least two other foods, like grain or milk. A free lunch includes a fruit or vegetable and at least two other foods. An unlimited number of fresh fruit and vegetables are also free with a complete meal. Students who take or request snacks, additional entrees, or extra milk, will be charged for those items. Click here to learn more about meal payments.
This universal free meal option, known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), is available to districts that serve a significant number of students from low-income families. In the 2022-23 school year, approximately 78% of SISD students were considered economically disadvantaged.
While the annual household application for free or reduced-price meals will no longer be needed, SISD families will still be asked to complete a short socioeconomic form as part of the student registration process. This is included because the state of Texas requires schools to report income data for accountability purposes.
