Food ServiceFAQ

Summer EBT Benefits

How do I qualify for Summer EBT Benefits?

You must complete the application for free and reduced lunch for your student(s), if you do not already receive food stamps. The quickest way to complete this is by going onto your student(s) food service family portal account and completing the free and reduced lunch application (Education Benefits Form).

Completion of this form does not automatically qualify your student for the summer benefits. The benefits will be based on the annual income you report on the free and reduced application.

Please read more: Summer EBT Letter and Summer EBT Letter Espanol

What is the deadline to qualify?

In order for a family to receive the Summer 2024 EBT funds, the student(s) must be reported as Free/Reduced on the Spring MSDS General Collection. Free and reduced applications (Education Benefits Form) must be turned in to the food service office by February 8, 2024.

MI School Meals 2023-2024

Back to School Information - Fall 2023

Breakfast and lunch is available at each school. Each meal meets the USDA standards for a full breakfast and lunch. We work hard to offer a variety of options to choose from. We look forward to serving you!

The Michigan state budget was recently passed to include increased funding for public schools to provide free meals to all students. All students enrolled in a public school for the 23-24 school year will be able to eat for free.

Education Benefit Forms are still critical to complete so the school district can receive the most funding! Complete the online application or paper application ASAP.

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How to deposit funds into my students account?

You can add funds into your students account through our food service Family Portal https://westottawa.familyportal.cloud/

These funds can be used to purchase individual components of the meals like an entrée only and snacks sold in the cafeteria, WO Zone, or Snack Bar.

What are the benefits of completing a 23-24 Meal Application?

This year all meals are free to all students. All students enrolled at WOPS schools can receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each day.

However, we still need every household to fill out a Education Benefits Form because this information is critical in determining the amount of money that our school receives from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs like Title I A, At-risk (31a), Title II A, E-Rate, etc.

These supplemental programs have the potential to offer supports and services for our students including, but not limited to:

  • Instructional supports (staff, supplies & materials, etc.)
  • Non-instructional services (counseling, social work, health services, etc.)
  • Professional Learning for staff
  • Parent and Community engagement supplies and activities
  • Technology
  • Pandemic-EBT

We are asking that you please complete and submit a meal application as soon as possible to ensure that additional funding for our school is available to meet the needs of our students. All information on the application submitted is confidential. Without your assistance in completing and returning the attached application, our school cannot maximize the use of available State and Federal funds.

If you’re unable to complete the online application, you may print a Education Benefits Form and mail it to 3700 140th Ave, Holland MI 49424 or drop it off to your student’s school office.

I have more questions about this program. Where can I get them answered?

You may contact Rachael Heemstra directly:

616-786-2101, heemstrar@westottawa.net

Special Dietary Needs

What do I do if my student needs special meal accommodations?

We would love to work with you to accommodate your child’s special dietary needs!

The first step is to have the Michigan Department of Education’s special diet statement form completed and signed by your students doctor.

Special Diet Statement Form – English

Special Diet Statement Form – Spanish

Once the above form is filled out, please email it to Elizabeth Herweyer at herweyere@westottawa.net. You will be contacted by the food service department to ensure that we provide the correct meals for your student.

My child has an allergy that the kitchen staff should be aware of. What do I do?

If your student has a food allergy that you would like to make us aware of please contact the district dietitian, Elizabeth Herweyer, at herweyere@westottawa.net.

We will put an alert in our register system that will not allow your student to “check out” with their meal until our staff has acknowledged your students food allergy and ensured that their meal is free from that food.

Policies

What is the Student Charge Policy?

Elementary students are allowed to charge the dollar amount up to the price of three lunches.

Middle School students are allowed to charge the equivalent of one lunch.

High school students are not allowed to charge.

If a student does not have enough in their account for a regular meal, an alternate meal is provided free of charge. This meal meets the meal requirements including milk. If a child is repeatedly receiving an alternate meal, school food service staff will contact the District Food Service office to follow up with the Principal or parents to assist in getting the balance cleared up. Staff will also contact the Food Service office to transfer money between siblings in order to ensure a regular meal is served.

You can review the charge policy here.

What is the Wellness Policy at West Ottawa Public Schools?

As required by law, the Board of Education establishes the following wellness policy for the Ottawa Public School District.

The Board recognizes that good nutrition and regular physical activity affect the health and well-being of the District’s students. Furthermore, research concludes that there is a positive correlation between a student’s health and well-being and his/her ability to learn. Moreover, schools can play an important role in the developmental process by which students establish their health and nutrition habits by providing nutritious meals and snacks through the schools’ meal programs, by supporting the development of good eating habits, and by promoting increased physical activity both in and out of school.

The Board, however, believes this effort to support the students’ development of healthy behaviors and habits with regard to eating and exercise cannot be accomplished by the schools alone. It will be necessary for not only the staff, but also parents and the public at large to be involved in a community-wide effort to promote, support, and model such healthy behaviors and habits.

The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines necessary to implement this policy, including, but not limited to, the manner in which the implementation of this policy shall be regularly evaluated by the principal of each school. The Board designates the Superintendent/designee as the individual(s) charged with operational responsibility for verifying that the District meets the goals established in this policy.

Review of this policy shall occur each year by a committee appointed by the Board, consisting of a representative(s) of the Board, the administration, the food service provider, the parents, the students, and the public. The committee shall provide the Board with any recommended changes to this policy.

Click here to view the local wellness policy updated February 2024.

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Contact Us

Who can I contact in the Food Service department?

The very heart of what we do each day is service. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve your families’ school meal needs and strive to serve nutritious tasty food prepared using the safest procedures.

In order for us to serve you better, your input is appreciated. Please email Jenna or call (616) 786-2100 with your thoughts, ideas, suggestions or compliments.

Thank you for your confidence and support,

Jenna Stamp, Director
(616) 786-2101

Noelle Whitlatch, Assistant Director
(616) 786-2101

Elizabeth Herweyer, District Dietitian
(616) 786-2101

Rachael Heemstra, Administrative Assistant
(616) 786-2101

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Catering

Who do I contact for catering?

Please email Noelle Whitlatch or call 616-786-2109 for all your catering needs!