All Woodland Students Can Eat Lunch: Principal

CARTERSVILLE, GA — A post circulating on social media is forcing Woodland High School to clarify the Bartow County School System's policy on student lunch. The post, which originally appeared in September 2017, reappeared this week across social media, including being shared by a reader on the Cartersville Patch Facebook page.

The post shows a hand-written sign that reads "No $ No Lunch!" taped to a glass window in the high school's cafeteria line. Principal Dr. Wes Dickey said the sign was not authorized to be posted by the department, school or BCSS.

"When this incident occurred, the sign was immediately taken down and the situation was quickly and effectively resolved," he said Friday on the school's Facebook page. "We want to assure everyone that there is a procedure at our school whereby ALL students may eat lunch, if they so desire. Please feel free to share the truth if someone asks you about this situation."

Breakfast is free for all students enrolled in the Bartow County School System. Lunch prices are $2.40 per day for elementary school students and $2.60 for middle and high school students. Students who qualify for a reduced price lunch pay $.40. Adults and guests pay $2 for breakfast and $3.25 to each lunch at any Bartow County school.

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According to the system's meal charge guidelines, elementary students can charge lunch for up to six days while middle school students only have a three-day option. Adults and high school students can't charge meals.

Students who don't have money for lunch will be allowed to call a parent to bring funds. Additionally, the system said privileges such as buying ice cream or a la carte foods and beverages and participation in school extracurricular events "may be denied until charges are paid," according to its policy.

After a student exceeds the charge limit or has racked up excessive charges, a referral will be made and contact will be made to the child's parent or guardian. If the situation isn't resolved, the child may be served a replacement meal of milk or juice and cheese sandwich or peanut butter sandwich, BCSS added. The student's parent will be informed of this decision, and a school social worker and/or School Nutrition director will be notified.

"We have had a great start to the 2018-19 school year and with your help and patience, we will get over this speed bump and continue our journey toward graduation," Dickey added.

Image via Shutterstock