Latest news with #McKinney-Vento
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
WA student summer food program open for applications
Jun. 3—OLYMPIA — This summer, approximately 620,000 children across Washington will benefit from SUN Bucks, a program designed to help families purchase food when school is not in session. The initiative, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program, is aimed at providing nutritional support during the summer months. "The Washington SUN Bucks Summer EBT Program is a vital resource for many of our Ephrata families, especially those experiencing housing instability," Ephrata School District Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning and McKinney-Vento Liaison Deb Knox said in a statement to the Columbia Basin Herald. "During the summer months, when school meals aren't available, this program helps ensure students still have access to nutritious food. It eases some of the burden families face and supports the health and well-being of our kids during a critical time." In December 2022, the federal government established a permanent summer EBT program to ensure that children have access to food amidst rising costs and limited resources. With federal approval secured, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services has partnered with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to kick off the distribution of SUN Bucks starting June 1. "Students learn better when their basic needs are met," State Superintendent Chris Reykdal said in a statement. "During the school year, we ensure students are fed during the day with our recently expanded school meal program. While school isn't in session, the summer EBT program provides an essential opportunity for children in Washington to access nutrition and meals." Each eligible child in participating households will receive a one-time payment of $120, which will be deposited onto existing SUN Bucks cards beginning June 1. People who qualify have 122 days to use the funds before they expire. For newly eligible participants, cards will be mailed starting mid-June. Eligibility requirements vary for children aged 8 to 18 from households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Benefits will qualify automatically. "I think the biggest thing is that having a program provided by the state that enables families to access food for school-aged children during the summer is always going to be important," Moses Lake School District Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon said. "While it's a one-time benefit, a lot of families find that benefit immensely important, especially during the summer months, when kids are home more versus in school and their grocery bills naturally tend to be a little bit higher during the summer months." Additionally, students who attend schools offering the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and are certified for free or reduced-price meals may qualify as well. "Food is foundational to everyone's well-being," Cheryl Strange, acting secretary of DSHS, said in a statement. "We are pleased to partner with OSPI to ensure as much support for children and families as we can, especially during the summer months." Families who do not automatically qualify can apply online for the SUN Bucks program, which is available in both English and Spanish. Applications will be accepted through August 29, 2025. Moreover, families receiving SUN Bucks can still participate in existing Summer Child Nutrition Programs, including grab-and-go meals at local schools and community sites, ensuring comprehensive food access during the summer. The Columbia Basin Herald published an article yesterday on where students can access grab-and-go meals and sit-down meals during the summer months. For more information or assistance, families can contact the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 833-543-3230 during regular business hours.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mobile library gives free books to homeless Albuquerque Public Schools students
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A program bringing books to homeless students made a stop at Bernalillo County's family shelter. Albuquerque Public School's McKinney-Vento program, which serves homeless students and families, rolled out its mobile library Monday afternoon. Up to $7,500 in project funding available through Bernalillo County Neighborhood Grant Program Unlike a regular library, kids can keep the donated books, which organizers say is a big relief for families who worry about book returns and fees. 'Last fall, we had some of our students tell us that they were able to go to the library at school but weren't able to take books home because they didn't have a home to go to. They said their parents were fearful of the fees and the costs of not being able to return library books. So, this program gives us an opportunity to make sure that our students in shelters have access to literacy,' said Cristal Wilson, director of APS McKinney-Vento program. The mobile library was named Mary's Book Nook after long-time APS employee Mary Bretting-Miller, who worked for APS Title 1 for forty years. She also started Storytime in the Park in partnership with KRQE. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Upcoming food drive benefits APS McKinney-Vento program
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Providing support for students in need, that's what the Albuquerque Public Schools McKinney-Vento program is all about. Recently they have teamed up with APS Activities Director Leslie Coe to put on the Spring Into Action Food Drive. Story continues below New Mexico Insiders: What goes on at Kirtland Air Force Base? Film: Balloon Fiesta showcased in new Hallmark movie Crime: Alleged Venezuelan gang member arrested at Doña County judge's home Trending: NM Supreme Court rules that 911 dispatchers are liable in emergency call lawsuits The food drive will take place at the Berna Facio Professional Building on April 26, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The community is invited to donate food items and help fulfill the goal of filling up a box truck that will then be delivered to the McKinney Vento program. The food drive makes it easy on people who just need to drive up and APS students will be on site to unload donations. For more information on the APS McKinney-Vento program, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Puyallup schools are underfunded despite public support. The legislature must act
Washington State legislators, As the sixth-largest district in the state, Puyallup School District serves 23,000 students whose futures rely on your decisions regarding public education funding. Insufficient state funding significantly hinders our capacity to deliver even a basic, quality education that our students deserve. The lack of adequate financial resources directly compromises the essential education we strive to provide. We — the Puyallup School Board, district and education association — urgently call upon you to address funding shortfalls threatening our students' opportunities and community vitality. Our community has consistently demonstrated their support for public education by passing crucial measures, such as the ongoing passage of EP&O levies and the capital levy in February 2024. This commitment was further exemplified in our recent bond proposal, where, despite its failure due to insufficient voter turnout, an impressive 63.36% approval rate reflected the community's willingness to invest in our schools. Even with our community's generous contributions, they cannot fully compensate for the significant gap in state funding. Please take immediate action on these critical matters: Fund special education per the original SB 5263. Our district's underfunding since 2020 totals $23.21 million. Fund materials, supplies and operating costs according to the original HB 1338. Puyallup School District has faced a $47.43 million shortfall since 2020. Update the transportation funding formula to reflect actual costs, especially for McKinney-Vento and special needs students. An outdated formula has caused a $7.84 million deficit since 2020. Puyallup SD faces a cumulative $78.48 million funding gap since 2020. Inadequate state funding and rising costs have already forced significant budget cuts. Last year, a $12 million deficit caused major staff reductions, and as we plan for next year, significant reductions will need to be made if the legislature does not act. To address K-12 education's dire funding needs, we urge the state to prioritize finding new, sustainable revenue sources. It is crucial to fulfill the state's responsibility of providing equitable and adequate funding for our schools. This means reversing the declining trend in education's share of the state budget, which has severely impacted our ability to provide quality education to our students. Without this support, we will continue to face devastating financial challenges that ultimately impact the quality of education we can provide to students. The time to act is now. Please make the necessary changes to secure the future of our public education system in Washington State. Maddie Names is president of the Puyallup School District Board of Directors. She has served on the board since 2017. John Polm has served as the Puyallup School District superintendent since 2020. Bob Horton has served as the president of the Puyallup Education Association since 2021.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump poised to order dismantling Department of Education
President Trump was poised Thursday to order dismantling the Department of Education, potentially fulfilling a longstanding goal of conservatives. White House officials said Trump would sign an executive order to 'facilitate the closure (of) the Department of Education,' although most analysts say the permanently eliminating the DOE would require the approval of Congress because lawmakers established and fund the agency. Trump has regularly derided the DOE as a waste of taxpayer dollars and cesspool of damaging liberal 'woke' ideology. His order will vow to 'return education authority to the states, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.' The Trump administration has already been gutting DOE, one of several agencies that have been targeted by the White House and billionaire first buddy Elon Musk. The DOE's workforce has been slashed in half and there have been deep cuts to the Office for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences, which gathers data on the nation's academic progress. Advocates for public schools and teachers said eliminating the Department of Education would be a disaster that would leave children behind in an American education system that is fundamentally unequal. 'They're talking about taking this money away from kids,' said Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers, a union representing 1.8 million educators. 'A country's future depends on its education system. What are we saying?' 'Trump's reckless attempt to dismantle the Department of Education is an egregious attack on school kids across the nation,' said state Senator John Liu (D-Queens), chair of the education committee. The department sends billions of dollars a year to schools and oversees $1.6 trillion in federal student loans. It also plays a significant role in overseeing civil rights enforcement. The White House has not spelled out formally which Department of Education functions it plans to hand over to other federal agencies and which may be simply eliminated. At her confirmation hearing, McMahon said she would preserve core initiatives, including Title I money for low-income schools and Pell grants for low-income college students. She claimed the administration planned to implement 'a better functioning Department of Education,' not eliminate it. Federal funding makes up a relatively small portion of public school budgets — roughly 14%, with the rest coming mostly from local tax revenue. The money often supports supplemental programs for vulnerable students, such as the McKinney-Vento program for homeless students or Title I for low-income schools. Colleges and universities are more reliant on money from Washington, through research grants along with federal financial aid that helps students pay their tuition. Republicans have talked about closing the Education Department for decades, saying it wastes taxpayer money and inserts the federal government into decisions that should fall to states and local school districts. Yet even some of Trump's Republican allies have questioned his right to close the agency without action from Congress. There are also major questions about the popularity of scrapping the agency. The House considered an amendment to close the DOE in 2023, but 60 Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the move.
