Full 4 OPS

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Thank you for your service to our district Mr. Lee we are lucky to have you.

Even with temporary setbacks, our efforts to raise awareness around food insecurity in our schools have not been for nothing. Through continued discussions with OPS administration, several action items emerged. District administrators have now sent clarification to school counselors, principals, school liaisons, food services staff, and others who regularly interact with students who may not be eating lunch.

I have already heard encouraging feedback from OPS staff who were previously unclear about protocols for hungry students with lunch debt. The good news is that students will not be turned away due to an inability to pay. Hopefully, it is now clear to staff and families alike that even if a student has lunch debt, they can still go through the line and receive a hot meal.

That said, I remain deeply concerned about students accruing lunch debt. One story shared with me was particularly troubling: an older student who knew their parent was struggling financially chose not to ask for lunch money because they didn’t want to be an additional burden. I often think about what that kind of responsibility does to a child’s mental health, carrying the weight of their family’s financial stress on their back. Worrying about lunch money is not something a student should have to deal with. They already have enough on their plates.

In addition to sending out clarifications, the administration has also expressed interest in conducting a survey to identify which students paying full price for lunch in our 21 non-Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools could benefit from assistance. Some board members have expressed hesitation about paying for “students who can afford it.” A study could help us better distinguish between students who need immediate support and those who are truly comfortable paying full price.

Lastly, the community mobilization I’ve witnessed, especially outreach to PTOs and donations toward reducing the $50,000+ in student lunch debt at non-CEP schools, has been incredibly heartwarming. I’ve always admired how our neighbors show up for one another in times of need and uncertainty.

Food insecurity is not new, but we cannot become complacent with the reality our students currently live in. I remain committed to reducing barriers to education through full bellies and ensuring a quality learning environment where no student feels ashamed or embarrassed around accessing a lunch.

Are you still looking for the facts on the status of food access for OPS students? I've put together some resources that might be helpful to understand the issue further!

Are you still looking for the facts on food insecurity in OPS? A majority of students in Omaha Public Schools receive a free lunch through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federal program that funds free lunches at schools in high-poverty areas. Th…