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School to offer free breakfasts, charge a dime more for lunch
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The Liberty County Board of Education agreed last week to offer all children — regardless of ability to pay — free school breakfast for the 2014-15 school year and for three years thereafter. The board of education also agreed to raise the price of student lunches by 10 cents in order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Schools are not allowed to use excess from free-meal reimbursements to subsidize the paid lunch cost, school officials said.
“Too many children are showing up at school hungry, and hungry children can’t learn,” School Nutrition Director Dr. Chris Reddick said. “Eating breakfast at school can help families save time in the morning. And knowing that school breakfast is healthy and a great value is a huge relief for parents.”
Because the Liberty County School System has more than 70 percent of its students receiving free and reduced-priced meals, the district is eligible for the national Provision II Breakfast Program. The district nutrition program would cover the difference in the cost of the breakfast meals not covered by reimbursements received from the federal government, school officials explained.
“Our first year is what they call a base year, and we will still need to take student ID numbers, but we won’t charge for the meal,” Reddick said. “This will give us our numbers to then file our claims. For example, if 60 percent of our children who eat breakfast are free, 30 percent of our children who eat are reduced and 10 percent of our children who eat breakfast (pay the full cost), then our reimbursement for meals will be just that. They would reimburse 60 percent of the total breakfast meals served at the free rate, and so on.”
This year, for students who pay the full meal prices, Liberty County charges $1 for breakfast in elementary school and $1.25 in middle and high schools. Lunches currently cost $1.75 in elementary school and $2 in middle and high schools. Adults pay $3 for school meals.
Next school year, lunches will cost $1.85 in elementary school and $2.10 in middle and high schools. Adults will pay $3.25. Reduced-price lunches will cost 40 cents in the 2014-15 school year.
“Equity in school-lunch pricing requires school-nutrition programs to charge students for paid meals at a price that is, on average, equal to the difference between the free-meal reimbursement and paid reimbursement,” Assistant Superintendent of Operations John Lyles said. “Therefore, the school nutrition program must increase the price of the paid student lunch by 10 cents to cover the expense. Additionally, the school nutrition program must also increase the price of the adult paid lunch to cover the actual adult-lunch cost.”
The district’s nutrition department also compared the school-meal prices it charges to meal prices charged by other Coastal Georgia school systems. School administrators shared their analysis with BoE members during a Feb. 25 work session.
Bryan County charges $1.50 for breakfast in elementary school. Middle- and high-school students are not served school breakfast. Bryan County charges $2.25 for school lunches in elementary, middle and high schools. Long County does not charge for student meals. Adults must pay $3.50. Evans, Bulloch and Wayne counties currently charge more for school lunches than Liberty does.
Reddick and her nutrition staff are promoting the importance of eating a healthy breakfast by observing National School Breakfast Week this week.
On Monday, Fort Stewart soldiers volunteered as guest servers in several school cafeterias as part of the observance. In addition, Midway Mayor Clemontine Washington signed a proclamation in honor of National School Breakfast Week at Liberty Elementary School, and Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas Jr. signed one at Button Gwinnett Elementary.

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Bistro Night returning to Thunder Run
Weekly FMWR briefing for July 28-Aug. 3
princess tea
The YMCA and FMWR's Princess Tea to let adults develop memories with their daughters is set for Aug. 9. - photo by FMWR illustration

Bistro Night returns to Thunder Run restaurant at Club Stewart Friday.

From 5-8 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, Bistro Night will feature a regional, national or themed entrees, appetizers and desserts.

Diners can start with a 20-plus item salad bar, then the chef's selection of appetizers, an entrée and a dessert. Soft beverages are included. Bar service available. The August feature is a taste of the islands. September will be French Quarter/N'awlins Jazz.

The cost is $12.95 per adult and $6.95 children (10 and younger). For more information, call 767-4717.

 

Long range shooting

Soldiers, retirees, Army civilians and guests can sight-in large caliber weapons from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Red Cloud Range Complex-Echo.

Bring your rifles or muzzle loaders. No pistols or shotguns. Steel targets available at long range distance. Paper targets from 100 - 500 meters.

The cost is $10, cash only, per two-hour block/person. For details, call 435-8061 or 767-4316.

 

Princess Tea

Tickets are on sale at the Stewart and Hunter Leisure Travel offices for the Princess Tea 1-3 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Fort Stewart Youth Center.

The tickets will be sold until noon Aug. 8. Tickets are likely to sell-out. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for youth, 10 and younger).

Military parents, grandparents or guardians and their daughters are invited to create memories during an afternoon enjoying tea, assorted finger foods, games and more.

Dress is princess attire: fancy dresses, hats and gloves.

Leisure Travel at Fort Stewart is in the PX Furniture Mall. On Hunter it is in the Hunter PX.

The tea is being hosted by the Liberty County YMCA and FMWR. For more info call 767-6212.

 

“Get Golf Ready”

Enrollment is under way for “Get Golf Ready” at Hunter Golf Course on Aug. 12, 14, 16, 19 and 21. Sign-ups will be accepted until Aug. 11.

The program is open to beginners who are looking for instruction and information.

The cost is $149, and includes a one-month membership at Hunter Golf Course, one dozen golf balls and five one-hour instruction sessions covering mechanics, rules and etiquette.

Class size is limited to 10 students. For more information, visit the course or call 315-9115.

 

Babysitting course

Teens can become certified babysitters by completing the SKIES CYSSitter Teenage Babysitter Course 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 16 and 23.

The free course will be at SKIES Unlimited on Davis Avenue, across from Diamond Elementary.

Participants must attend both days to be certified. Register at CYSS Parent Central Services.

For more information, call 767-2312/4831.

 

Float trips  

Join Outdoor Recreation on a canoe/kayak float down a coastal Georgia river on Aug. 16.

Equipment is provided and lifeguards will be on the trip. Bring your own lunch for a picnic. The float costs $20 per person.

Register at Holbrook Outdoor Recreation Center/Equipment Checkout, 435-8205, or online at https://webtrac.mwr.army.mil/#page-0.

For more information, call 767-4316.

 

Volunteer Taylors Creek

On Aug. 18, join volunteers who help keep the clubhouse and grounds at Taylors Creek Golf Course in shape. A lot of work is needed. You’ll get a gift for your time.

Volunteer nights start at 5:30 p.m. Call 767-2370.

 

Top of the Rock Run

Registration now for the Top of the Rock 5K & 10K Run for Resiliency. The chipped race is open to the public.

The run will have 10 age categories for men and women, plus a 10K team competition for soldiers with a minimum of 10 members from the same company.

All participants will receive T-shirts and trophies will be awarded to winners.

Register online only at www.ACTIVE.com by Sept. 3. Team registration ends Sept. 4.

The run begins at 8 a.m. Sept. 6 between Newman Fitness Center and the Quick Track. The cost before the run is $25 for DoD ID cardholders and $30 for civilians. Day-of-race registration costs $40.

For more information, call 767-8238

 

Rock Body Building

Registration is under way for the Rock Body Building and Figure Contest Nov. 1 at Woodruff Theater. Weigh-in begins at 8 a.m., prejudging at10 and the finals at 6:30 p.m.

Registration until Oct. 17 costs $25; $35 from Oct. 18 until Nov. 1. There is an additional crossover fee of $15. Sign up at Newman Fitness Center.

Awards will be presented for first, second and third place seven divisions.

For more information, call 767-3031/9336.

 

Bend-the-Bar

Registration is under way for the Stewart/Hunter Bend-the-Bar Powerlifting and Bench Press Challenge Sept. 20 at 4thIBCT Fitness Center.

The competition for men and women will have 12 weight classes. Participants must be at least 16 years old.

Each participant will get a total of three attempts to lift their maximum weight. Winners must have a successful lift in each event.

Weigh-ins will be from 8-9:30 a.m. Rules clinic will begin at 9:30 a.m. and lifting at 10.

T-shirts will be given to each paying participant and prizes will be awarded in all weight classes.

Entry fee is $15 per person until Sept. 15 and $20 later.

For more information, call 435-9306.

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