School district working to keep kids fed through end of the school year

This has been a unique school year in Wrangell. With the COVID-19 pandemic, not only was the basketball season cut short, but districts across the state have closed their doors. The Wrangell School District is no different, having closed down the schools to protect staff and students from the virus. While the buildings are not in use currently, the district is still providing education remotely, through online classrooms. Not only that, but the district is working to make sure students are still getting meals.

"We currently have 25 students requesting school lunches every day," Superintendent Lancaster wrote in an email to the Sentinel. "Information about the option for school lunch is put in the bulletin and sent out to parents every Monday."

Lancaster said that, to receive lunches for the week, parents need to sign up with the schools by 2 p.m. on Sunday. Their orders are submitted to local vendors, and are then picked up from said vendors around noon on the same day. For example, Lancaster provided, J&W's makes lunches for the students, which the schools will add some healthy snacks to from their own food supplies. Megan Powell, with Wrangell High School, said that the district works with J&W's, City Market, and Wrangell IGA to supply meals.

"Staff picks up the lunches for all students," Lancaster wrote. "Middle and high school students pick up their lunches from 12 to 1 each day and all elementary lunches are delivered in our people mover by our paraprofessional staff."

There is a fee for the lunches or it is the student's normal rate that they were approved for on a free and reduced lunch application from the beginning of the school year. Lancaster explained that the district's lunch program is not federally funded, so money for it comes out of their own general fund. The projected budget for this school year is $49,491, she said.

"Parents have to sign up by Sunday at 2 in order for their student to receive lunch for the week," Lancaster wrote. "If for some reason they did not get signed up for lunch then they can call and be added to the list.They will start receiving lunches the next day."