What does CEP mean?
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) means your school (or in this case district) has qualified for ONE breakfast and ONE lunch at no charge for EACH student in the district EVERY school day.
Do I need to fill out an application for my student to receive a free breakfast and lunch?
No. HOWEVER, ALL FAMILIES need to fill out a Household Income Form (HIF). One form per household should be filled out. Use this link to fill out the form. Paper copies are available at your child's school.
Why do I need to fill out the Household Income Form even if my family does not receive additional benefits?
This form impacts other departments and programs in the district, such as such as eRate funding, grant applications, and pupil funding. The information gathered through the HIF is completely confidential.
Why is being a CEP district good for our schools?
Striving to make 100% of our students transition ready and ensuring that EVERY child reaches their maximum learning potential are foundational to the Kenton County School District. National data indicates that CEP schools benefitted with higher attendance rates and improved student performance. Being certain that hunger is not a barrier to learning and removing the cost of school meals from the concerns of families are significant steps in the efforts to make these goals a reality.
How did we become a CEP eligible district?
Schools become eligible for CEP when 25% of their students are identified in classifications within the Identified Student Percentage (ISP). These areas of identification include: Medicaid, foster care placement, homeless, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). As of this year, all KCSD schools have reached or exceeded the 25% threshold, therefore qualifying our district for full CEP eligibility.
If a student attends Ignite, will that student still receive a free breakfast and lunch?
Yes.
Do I need to fill out a free and reduced application for my student to receive other non-food school benefits?
No. The Household Income Form (HIF) needs to be filled out for these benefits.
Are student meal accounts (in My School Bucks) still needed?
Yes. While a free breakfast and lunch meal for each student are provided through CEP, a la carte items and additional meals ARE NOT FREE. These can be purchased with cash/check, or money can be loaded into students’ My School Bucks accounts. Please note: My School Bucks charges a convenience fee. Students are still responsible for prior charges not yet paid. NO new charges will be allowed since a free meal is provided through CEP.
If my student packs her lunch but decides she would like what is being served on a particular day, will she still be able to go through the serving line to get a free school lunch as well?
Yes. (If you do not want your student to go get a school lunch, please email the kitchen manager.) A directory of school kitchen managers is found on our Student Nutrition page.
Will the meal quality change since meals are now free?
Absolutely not!
Are only certain entrees on the menu free entrees?
No. Students can choose whichever entree they want that day.
Does a student have to take at least one fruit or veggie serving with each meal?
Yes. That rule still applies.
Do you have plans in place so that my student can quickly get through the line and still have enough time to eat?
Yes. We have increased checkout points, improved traffic flow, and have implemented other supports to help students quickly move through the serving lines.
