• Free breakfast and lunch for all students will continue

    for the 2024-2025 school year.

    It is very important that ALL families fill out the Education Benefits Form (EBF)

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    All students again receive a free breakfast or lunch meal. All individual food items, such as milk, are not free to students. Students must pay for these individual items via the Meal Magic payment system. More information on Meal Magic is below.

    Even though the State of Michigan is now providing free breakfast and lunch meals for all students, it is important that every AAPS family fills out the Education Benefit Form (EBF).

    Please take a moment to complete the EBF form available below. You can also pick up the form at school.

    Without this information from every family, AAPS could lose important state funding for educational programs that our students are entitled to. These supplemental grants and programs have the potential to offer supports and services for our students including, but not limited to:

    • Instructional staff (ex. Reading Interventionists, Math, Academic and Behavior Aids)
    • Counselors, Social Workers and School Nurses
    • Professional Learning for staff
    • Technology

     

    See below for the link to your school’s EBF form. If you filled out this form or application since July 1, 2024, you do not need to fill out another EBF form.

    Remember: The more forms returned the better for the school district.

    What do I need to do?

    Please complete the EBF form and return it either through the Meal Magic site, or via a hard copy to your school. Your assistance in helping us maintain our current funding levels is greatly appreciated. No matter your financial status, we need every family to fill out the application.

    How will this information be protected?

    All financial and student information is protected in the Meal Magic online submission and in locked files, as required by the state and federal government.

    What else might my student or household be eligible for?

    Based on the information you provide on the EBF form, your student may qualify for these programs:

    • Summer Food/EBT
    • Pay to Play or Pay to Participate for athletics
    • Potential household support for cable and internet

    If you have any questions, please contact  bollingere@aaps.k12.mi.us or call 734-994-2265.

    Sincerely,

    Mike DeVries, Director, Chartwells Food Service

    Liz Margolis, Executive Director, Student Safety & District Operations

     

     

    For the online form, click on the AAPS FAMILY PORTAL below. From there, choose "Apply for Benefits", then "Education Benefits Form".

     
    You can use your phone or tablet as well as a computer to apply!
    The online form is free, easy and the fastest way to apply for meal benefits!
     We suggest using Google Chrome to open the online application.
    To open in another browser (Safari, etc.) please make sure you are using the most up-to-date version.
     
    Translated EBF Letter
     
    Links to Education Benefits Forms by school
     
     
    Translated EBF Forms
     
                           
    If you need a paper application mailed to you, you can request a copy from your school or
    contact the Food Service Office at: 734-994-2265
    You can return the paper Education Benefits Form to your child's school or
    Mail it back to:
    Ann Arbor Public Schools Food Service
    2555 S. State St.
    Ann Arbor MI 48104
     
     
    AAPS & Chartwells Meal Charging Policy

    The State of Michigan's free breakfast and lunch program only covers full meals. It does not cover à la carte items or individual milk purchase. In the event a student does not have sufficient funds in hand or in their account to pay for an à la carte item, the student will be allowed to charge for an à la carte item or milk to their account. This policy prohibits AAPS and food service staff from:

    • identifying students who cannot pay for an à la carte item or milk or owe a negative balance in any way such as wristbands, or handstamps,
    • make students perform chores or work to pay for their charged items,
    • dispose of an à la carte item or milk after it has been served due to an unpaid food balance,
    • have direct communication with students about their unpaid balance unless all communication channels have been exhausted with the parent/ guardian, and
    • discuss negative food balance with the student in the presence of other students.

    Parents/guardians are encouraged to pay for the à la carte item as soon as possible, as all unpaid balances must be paid in full by the end of each semester (or trimester). Parents/guardians of students who charge à la carte or milk only will be encouraged to apply for free or reduced priced meals.

    USDA NON DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color,national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program infromation may be made available in languages other than English.

    To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form' (AD-3027) found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

          1) Mail: Food Service Office 2555 S. State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

          2) Email: bollingere@aaps.k12.mi.us

    This institution is an equal opportunity provider.