LA PLATA, Md. – Several Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students will receive free breakfast this school year as part of funding provided by the Maryland Meals for Achievement program.
The program, known as MMFA, is offered through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and provides funding that supplements federal reimbursements CCPS receives from the USDA School Breakfast Program. The MMFA program provides students with access to a healthy breakfast daily at school. Last year, 28 schools received free breakfasts. This year, the number has increased by two, bringing the total up to 30 schools. The Early Learning Center, La Plata, and Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School have been added this year.
“This program is one that we are very proud of,” Crystal Richardson, CCPS supervisor of food and nutrition services, said. “It provides an added service to our students and parents because there is no cost to any child in the school for breakfast each day.”
Schools are eligible for the program if the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals is above 40%. Eligibility is based on counts from the previous school year. MSDE must approve all MMFA participating schools in advance. Schools listed below with (CEP) next to the name are also providing free healthy lunches to students this year through a federal grant program called Community Eligibility Provision, also known as CEP. To learn about CEP, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/community-eligibility-provision.
Parents of students who attend MMFA designated schools should still complete the meals benefit application. The MMFA program does not provide for free lunches for students. However, students who attend schools that are designated as both an MMFA and CEP school receive free breakfast and lunch.
Students who attend the following schools can eat breakfast free for the entire school year. CEP schools are also designated below (students at those schools get free breakfast and lunch).
Elementary Schools
- C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School.
- Berry Elementary School.
- Billingsley Elementary School.
- Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School (CEP).
- Gale-Bailey Elementary School.
- Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School.
- Indian Head Elementary School (CEP).
- Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School (CEP).
- Malcolm Elementary School.
- Arthur Middleton Elementary School (CEP).
- Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School (CEP).
- Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School (CEP).
- Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
- J.C. Parks Elementary School.
- J.P. Ryon Elementary School (CEP).
- Eva Turner Elementary School (CEP).
- William B. Wade Elementary School.
Middle Schools
- Theodore G. Davis Middle School.
- John Hanson Middle School (CEP).
- Matthew Henson Middle School.
- Mattawoman Middle School.
- General Smallwood Middle School (CEP).
- Benjamin Stoddert Middle School (CEP).
High Schools
- Henry E. Lackey High School.
- St. Charles High School.
- Thomas Stone High School (CEP).
- Westlake High School.
Centers
- Early Learning Center, La Plata.
- F.B. Gwynn Educational Center.
- Robert D. Stethem Educational Center.
Data collected from such forms allows CCPS to continue to provide free meals to students. The application is posted on the CCPS website under the Quick Links menu at www.ccboe.com.CCPS posts breakfast and lunch menus on the school system website at www.ccboe.com. Parents can create an account to follow the menus posted for their child’s specific schools. For questions about the CCPS Food and Nutrition Services program, call 301-392-5570.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).
