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| Answers |
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1) |
Q |
Why should I bother applying for free or reduced meals for my child? |
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A |
Did you know that your school can receive money based upon the number of eligible free and reduced meals program applications it receives? This money is used to improve the school by providing various services and by purchasing items that benefit your child's education such as new computers and technology. Many of these things would be unavailable to the school without this money.
Our school regularly applies for grants which are dependent upon the school having a certain eligibility percentage in the free and reduced meals program. We also receive federal E-Rate money for technology based on our percentage. |
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2) |
Q |
I don't want anyone knowing that my child is getting free or reduced meals. That's why I haven't applied. Who sees the names of participating students? |
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A |
All information is kept strictly confidential according to Oklahoma state law. The only person to see the names is the Approving Officer. No other school personnel has access to this information. No one will know your child is eligible for or participating in the program unless you tell them. When the school applies for grants, we supply the number of eligible students in the program. We do not supply individual names. |
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3) |
Q |
My child is probably eligible for free or reduced meals, but they don't always eat school meals. Should I still apply? |
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A |
Even if a student doesn't eat school meals regularly, you should still apply. The free and reduced meals program affects the entire school, not just the cafeteria. Grant money for the school is based on the number of eligible applications received, not the number of students participating in the program. |
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4) |
Q |
So even if my child doesn't eat in the cafeteria, but our family income is within the eligible guidelines, my child would still benefit from submitting an application? |
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A |
Yes. The school receives grant monies based on eligible applications received even if the child doesn't eat in the cafeteria. See question #1 above for how the monies can be used. |
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5) |
Q |
How can I find out if our family income is within the eligible guidelines of the free and reduced meals program? |
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A |
You must fill out an application. Applications must be filled out completely to be valid. Applications with missing names, signatures, or information cannot be used. |
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6) |
Q |
Are there any factors other than income that determine eligibility in the free and reduced meals program? |
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A |
Yes. Income alone is not a determining factor. Extenuating circumstances such as medical conditions, and the number of family members (not just children, but grandparents, etc.) living in the household are also determining factors. |
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7) |
Q |
Do I have to submit an application each year or do I submit my application one time only? |
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A |
You must submit an application each year. |
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8) |
Q |
I've noticed that there are several photographs on the website where someone's face is blurred or doesn't look quite right. Is something wrong with the picture or the website? |
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A |
Some photographs on our site have been digitally altered to hide the faces or identities of some of our students in accordance with their parent/guardians' wishes. Depending on the photo, the student's face may be pixelated or blurred. In some cases, a face, clothing, or other part may be altered without drawing any attention to the fact that it is altered. |
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9) |
Q |
How do you determine whether a photograph is to be altered on the website? |
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A |
Families who do not want their child's picture on the website must sign and submit a Photographic Images Opt Out Form to the school. If a child whose family has a form on file with us appears in a group photo, the photo will be altered to hide the child's identity. We try to screen all photographs that appear on our website. |
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10) |
Q |
What is the Photographic Images Opt Out Form for? |
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A |
The Photographic Images Opt Out Form is a document that lets the school know which students are not allowed to have their images shown on our website or in newspapers. The form is designed to satisfy the wishes of parents who don't want their child's image shown on our website. The form is also known as a Website Consent Form. |
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11) |
Q |
Should I sign the Photographic Images Opt Out Form if I want my child's picture to be shown on the website? |
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A |
No. Signing the form means that you do not want your child's picture on our website or in newspaper articles submitted by the school. |
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12) |
Q |
I don't mind my child appearing in newspaper articles. I just don't want them on the school website. Can you still submit newspaper articles, but keep my child off of the website? |
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A |
No. If you sign the Photographic Images Opt Out Form, your child will not appear on our website or in school submitted newspaper articles. Many newspapers also have websites where pictures appear. Haileyville School will not post pictures to one and not the other. |
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13) |
Q |
I don't know whether to allow my child's pictures to be shown on the school website. I have heard stories about the dangers of the Internet. What does the school do to protect students online? |
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A |
We've all heard the horror stories about the dangers of the Internet. Most of the horror stories involving young people occurred because of a lack of adult supervision. The young people were actively involved in communicating with a predator, often without their parents' knowledge.
Haileyville School has several protections in place to insure the safety of our students online. We block online access to all social networking sites such as My Space, Xanga, etc. We also block instant messaging. Mr. Bedford monitors all network traffic including email. Nothing beats a good pair of eyes. Our staff closely monitors students in every location where there is a computer online. We constantly adapt and update as necessary to stay current in protecting our students.
Haileyville School also strongly suggests that parents become involved in their child's online activities. Do you know where your children are going online? Does your child have a My Space site or Xanga site that you don't know about? Do you know who your child talks to online or what they discuss? |
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14) |
Q |
Why should I allow my child's pictures to be posted on the school website? |
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A |
The school website is similar to the school yearbook. We sometimes share some of the same photos between the website and yearbook. Allowing permission for your child's picture to be posted means that your child can be recognized online for awards, achievements, etc. Our students love having their pictures shown online and are often disappointed when they can't be shown.
Having pictures online is also a great way for far away family members to keep in touch with what is happening with their relatives and to stay updated with their school progress. We have several students whose parents have told us of family members in other states who regularly visit our website to see their relatives. |
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