OOLOGAH-TALALA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

🍽️ Meal Charge Policy

To help ensure that every student has access to nutritious meals each day, Oologah-Talala Public Schools offers a convenient prepay lunch account system.

💳 How It Works:

• Parents/guardians can deposit money into their child’s lunch account at any time.

• As your child eats in the cafeteria, the cost of each meal is automatically deducted from their account.

⚠️ Low or Negative Balances:

• When your child’s account balance drops to $5.00 or less, you’ll receive an automated phone call as a reminder to add funds.

• If the account reaches a negative balance of -$10.00, your child will receive an alternative lunch until the balance is replenished.

We encourage all families to monitor meal account balances regularly to avoid interruptions in your child's meal service.

📝 Reduced-Price Meals:

Families may qualify for reduced-price meals. For more information or assistance, please contact:

Monica Wells
Child Nutrition Manager
📞 918-443-6000, ext. 1008

Q: Who can get free or reduced-price meals?
A: Your child may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if:

• Your household receives benefits from SNAP, FDPIR, or TANF.

• Your child is a foster child under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court.

• Your child is enrolled in a Head Start program.

• Your child is homeless, a runaway, or migrant.

• Your household income is within the federal income eligibility guidelines.

Q: What if my child is homeless, migrant, or a runaway?
A: If you believe your child qualifies and you haven’t been notified of eligibility, please contact your school’s homeless liaison or migrant coordinator at (Name, Phone Number, or Email).

Q: Do I need to submit a separate application for each child?
A: No. Submit one application for all students in your household. Make sure all required information is filled out. Return the completed application to: (Name, Address, Phone Number).

Q: What if I received a letter saying my children are already approved for free meals?
A: You don’t need to apply again. However, read the letter carefully. If any children in your household were not included, contact: (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email).

Q: Can I apply online?
A: Yes! Online applications are encouraged and have the same requirements as the paper application.

• Visit: (Website) to begin.

• For help, contact: (Name, Phone Number, Email).

Q: How do I know if I qualify based on income?
A: Review the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines in your packet. Eligibility depends on your household size and income.

Q: My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out a new one?
A: Yes. Each application is only valid for the prior school year and the first few days of the current year (through [date]). A new approved application is required unless you’ve been told otherwise.

Q: I get WIC. Can my children get free meals?
A: Children in households receiving WIC may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Please submit an application.

Q: Will the information I give be checked?
A: Yes. You may be asked to provide written proof of your reported household income.

Q: If I do not qualify now, may I apply later?
A: Yes. You can apply at any time during the school year, especially if your income changes due to events like job loss.

Q: What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?
A: Contact school officials. You may also request a hearing by calling or writing to: (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email).

Q: May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
A: Yes. Citizenship is not required for anyone applying for free or reduced-price meals.

Q: What if my income is not always the same?
A: Use the amount you normally earn. If you usually earn $1000/month but earned $900 last month due to missed work, report $1000. Include regular overtime but not occasional overtime. If your income has dropped due to job loss or reduced hours, report your current income.

Q: What if some household members have no income to report?
A: Write “0” in the income field for those members. Do not leave fields blank—blank entries will be treated as zeroes.

Q: We are in the military. Do we report our income differently?
A: Report basic pay and cash bonuses as income. Include cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing—except for housing under the Military Housing Privatization Initiative. Combat pay due to deployment is excluded.

Q: What if there is not enough space on the application for my family?
A: List additional household members on a separate sheet and attach it to your application. For more help or to request a second application, contact: (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email).

Q: My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?
A: Yes. To apply for SNAP or other assistance programs, contact your local assistance office, call 1-877-760-0114, or scan the QR code provided in your packet.

🍽️ Pay for School Lunch Accounts Using the Parent Portal

💳 Pay Online with a Credit or Debit Card!

You can now easily add money to your child's lunch account using your phone, tablet, or computer.

📱 Use the “wengage by SylogistEd” App

• Download the app “wengage by SylogistEd” from your app store.

• Use it to:

  • View lunchroom balances

  • Check student account balances

  • Make secure payments online

➕ Extra Features:

• Split deposits between multiple students in your household.

• Deposits show up in your child’s account immediately.

• A 3.5% convenience fee applies to online payments.

🔐 Login to Parent Portal

• If you already have a Parent Portal login, you can log in and pay there.

• Need a login?
  Click this link: “Request Parent Login” (usually found on the school’s website)

❓ Need Help?

Contact Carly Batson:
📧 Email: carly.batson@oologah.k12.ok.us
📞 Phone: 918-443-6000 ext. 6056

✅ BEFORE YOU START

• Use a pen, not a pencil.

• Print clearly.

• Only one application per household (even if kids go to different schools).

• If you need help, contact your school or district office (look for the contact info on the form or school website).

📝 STEP 1: List All Children in the Household

Include all infants, children, and students (up to grade 12) who:

• Are under 18 and supported by your household income.

• Are in foster care, homeless, migrant, or runaway.

• Attend a school in your district (no matter their age).

For each child, provide:

• Full name (first, middle initial, last).

• Whether they are a student.

• If they are a foster child, or homeless/migrant/runaway, check the correct box.

💳 STEP 2: Do You Receive Benefits (SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR)?

If anyone in your household gets benefits from:

• SNAP (Food Stamps)

• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

• FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations)

Do this:

• Write the case number on the application.

• Skip to Step 4 — you're done reporting income!

If no one gets these benefits, leave Step 2 blank and go to Step 3.

💵 STEP 3: Report Income for All Household Members

A. Report any income earned by children (from jobs, Social Security, gifts from outside the household, etc.).

B. List all adult household members (18 who live with you and share income/expenses — do not include children from Step 1).

C. Report adult income in 3 parts:

1. Earnings from work (before taxes).

2. Public assistance / alimony / child support (only court-ordered payments).

3. Other income (pensions, Social Security, rental income, etc.).

Important tips:

• Report gross income (before deductions like taxes or insurance).

• Use whole dollars (no cents).

• Write “0” in boxes with no income.

• Mark how often each income is received (weekly, monthly, etc.).

• If self-employed (e.g., farm or business), report net income (income after expenses).

D. Total household members: Add up everyone listed in Steps 1 and 3.

E. Social Security Number: The adult who signs the form should enter the last 4 digits of their SSN.

• If they don’t have one, check the box that says “No SSN.”

📬 STEP 4: Contact Info & Signature

• Write your current address (if available) and phone/email (optional).

• Print and sign your name.

• Write today’s date.

• (Optional) Mark your child’s race and ethnicity (does not affect eligibility).

✅ FINAL CHECKLIST:

• ✔ All children listed (Step 1)?

• ✔ Benefits case number OR income info completed?

• ✔ Total household members match Steps 1 3?

• ✔ Social Security info completed or box checked?

• ✔ Application is signed and dated?

Once completed, submit the application to your school or district office as instructed.

If you need a translated version or help completing the form, most schools provide assistance in multiple languages.

🌟 Oologah-Talala Public Schools

Student Wellness Plan 2024–2025

At Oologah-Talala Public Schools, we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of every student. Our Wellness Plan promotes nutritious meals, physical activity, and healthy lifestyles in a safe and supportive environment.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Wellness Committee

Our Local Wellness Committee includes parents, teachers, school leaders, health professionals, and students. The team meets at least twice a year to review goals, programs, and progress.

Wellness Leaders:

• Monica Wells, Child Nutrition Coordinator

• Kendra Adkins, Assistant Superintendent

• Additional school leaders and community members

🥗 Healthy School Meals

• All meals follow USDA nutrition standards.

• Meals include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and less sodium and fat.

• Students enjoy at least 30 minutes for lunch with plenty of time to eat.

We also promote Smarter Lunchrooms by encouraging kids to make healthy food choices in fun and engaging ways.

🌽 Farm to School & Gardens

We support local food sourcing and school gardens where students learn where their food comes from and how to grow it themselves.

💧 Water is Always Available

Free, clean drinking water is accessible throughout every school campus, including during meals. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles, and we ensure all water sources are regularly sanitized.

❌ No Junk Food Sales During the School Day

• Only Smart Snacks-approved foods and beverages may be sold on campus during school hours.

• No third-party food vendors or outside food sales are allowed during the school day.

• Food is not used as a reward unless it supports healthy eating.

All food marketing on campus must also promote nutritious choices.

📚 Health & Nutrition Education

• Health and nutrition topics are included across subjects like science, social studies, and PE.

• Students learn about balanced diets, exercise, emotional wellness, and more.

• Certified staff deliver this instruction, supported by professional development and updated curriculum.

💪 Physical & Emotional Wellness

Our schools support the whole child—mind and body. This includes:

• Daily physical activity opportunities.

• Mental health awareness.

• Encouragement of lifelong healthy habits.

🔍 Monitoring & Improvement

We regularly evaluate our wellness efforts using student health data and parent/community input. Our team updates this plan every three years to ensure we meet the highest standards.

📣 Stay Involved!

Families, staff, and community members are welcome to participate and offer feedback on the Wellness Plan. Visit our [school website] or contact Monica Wells to get involved.

Together, we are building a healthier future for every student!

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