March 2020 News

This service is open to all children 18 years and younger. Meals are distributed via a grab-and-go, curbside method. If possible, the child should be present to accept the meals. Meals cannot be consumed on-site, per USDA regulations. We encourage families to practice social distancing and not congregate at the meal pickup locations.

Each child will get a bag that will include four meals on both Monday and Wednesday, and six meals on Friday. Some of the food will require refrigeration and/or re-heating to ensure freshness. This plan reduces the amount of travel to and from the distribution sites during the week.

Map of distribution sites:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1lrjAB64uDPYVifL8DrnlvYw8eRXOwW5E&usp=sharing

Additionally, communication regarding continued curbside meal service for actively enrolled virtual/remote learning students will be shared prior to Aug. 31. Unless a waiver is provided, meal costs will apply to the student’s eligibility status.

If you feel you may qualify for free or reduced meals, it is important that you apply now. An application can be completed online at www.schoolcafe.com, which is the fastest and preferred method, or a paper application can be picked up at your student’s enrolled school. If an application is not submitted and approved, each breakfast and lunch will cost the full amount.

If you plan to participate in meals and you have not been approved for free status, please preload funds on your student’s meal account. You can preload your student’s account by visiting www.schoolcafe.com, which is the fastest and preferred method, or by mailing a check to your student’s cafeteria, in advance, so it can be entered into their meal account.

Over the past few weeks, a Communicable Disease Team (CDT) comprised of leaders from CMCSS and the Montgomery County Health Department have been meeting regularly to review the latest guidance from the CDC, monitor the health and attendance of CMCSS students and employees, and make recommendations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.

While the district has been implementing proactive measures to reduce the spread of illness, after reviewing the latest guidance, the CDT has made additional recommendations that will be communicated to parents and guardians via SchoolMessenger, video, social media, website, and local media today, Thursday, March 12.
All after school activities in CMCSS are cancelled today, March 12. Please refer to your email, the CMCSS website, and CMCSS social media
Travel – effective immediately, all school- or district-sponsored travel on for-hire transportation (charter bus, planes, etc.) for students and employees will be suspended through April 8.
The district will work with schools to make every reasonable legal effort to seek refunds for cancelled trips to the extent refunds are not extended upon the school’s cancellation. If costs are not refunded, the district will work with schools and parents to make efforts to provide reimbursements.
Trips via CMCSS transportation will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for approval. Travel will not be permitted to schools, districts, or other venues where there are school closures. Further guidance will be provided should there be any school or district closures.
The CDT will continue to monitor best practices and will provide further guidance ahead of April 8.

COVID-19 information is continuing to evolve as the experts learn more about this disease. We know there is a lot of fear and anxiety around this pandemic, and we assure you the CDT is continuously monitoring this situation. While education is important, the health and well-being of our students and staff are far more significant. We will continue to update you, and we welcome your questions and feedback.