Yelm Community Schools

August 23, 2022

Welcome Back to School
Brian Wharton, Superintendent

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

We are quickly approaching the first day of school and are excited to welcome our students, families and staff back. It is important that we connect with each family to ensure you have what you need to return.


I encourage you to read this message to learn about new programs and resources available to our families. Visit your child's school website for a welcome back message from your principal, dates and times of orientations/open houses and other information.

Brian Wharton, Superintendent
Free & Reduced Meal Applications

Status of school meals

WHAT IS COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION (CEP)?

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a federal meal service option for schools and districts that meet specific income levels. If a school or district meets the qualifications, then free breakfast and lunch are provided to all students in that specific school.


IS MY SCHOOL ELIGIBLE?

To be eligible for CEP, a district, group of schools or a specific school must ensure that at least 40% of enrolled students are directly certified by the state for free school meals.


For the 2022-2023 school year, Yelm Extension School, Fort Stevens and McKenna Elementary are qualifying schools and all students will receive free school meals.


WHAT IF MY CHILDREN ATTEND DIFFERENT SCHOOLS?

Families with children in all other Yelm Community Schools will continue to apply for Free Meals through the federal application process or through direct certification from the state. Since this process was suspended due to COVID, it is important that all families review the qualifying income levels and complete the application forms on our website if they meet the criteria.


Families who qualified in the 2019-2020 school year will receive free meals until October 18. The application must be approved by that date for free meals to continue.


The application is available on our website. Please turn all forms into your school including the Consent to Share form. If you need assistance, please contact your school or the Food Service Department at 360.400.1151..


HOW DO SCHOOLS QUALIFY FOR CEP IN THE FUTURE?

While schools that currently qualify are approved for four years, families will complete an annual income survey during conferences.


For schools which don’t yet qualify, it is important that families complete the federal free meal application at the beginning of each year and opt in to the other benefits to reduce barriers for students provided by HB 1660. The district will continue to monitor direct certification, McKinney- Vento, Foster Child and Migrant status and apply by April 1 of each year if 40% enrollment is verified.


The district will notify all families each spring which schools qualify for CEP and will receive free meals for that school year.


WHAT ARE THE MEAL FEES THIS YEAR?

Families can put money on their student's account using online payment system. The online payment link is also at the top of all website pages.

K-12 Breakfast = $1.75

K-12 Milk = $0.50

K-5 Lunch = $3.00

6-12 Lunch = $3.50

Free & Reduced Meal Applications
Skyward Family Access

Skyward Family Access

Staying connected to student progress and enrollment information is critical. We ask that parents log into Skyward to update their military status, race/ethnicity and phone/email contact information. Access for each school will vary below.


August 25 @ 7am - YHS opens

August 29 - RMS/YMS opens

August 31 - Elementary opens


If you need assistance with accessing your account, please try to use the password reset option or contact your school front office staff.

Skyward Family Access
Bus Route Mobile App

bus route information

Transportation is working on routes. To have accurate routes, we encourage families to complete the "RIDER FORM."


Families will access route information in the new Traversa Ride 360 Mobile App available for iPhones and Android. This portal allows parents and students to access their own secure data for bus stop location, route, and pickup time. Parents will login with their student's Legal Last Name and Student ID. Review the flyer for instructions. You can find your student's Student ID in Skyward Family Access or ask your school for assistance.


Routes will be updated daily for the first few weeks of school.

Bus Route Mobile App
Bus Rider Registration Form

All students riding the bus need to complete the "Rider" form so routes can be scheduled.

Kindergarten Student Release Form

"Must be Met" procedure for bus drivers to release kindergarten students ONLY to an identified adult at the bus stop. Please complete form and return to school or transportation.

STEMKAMP

The 2nd Annual STEMKAMP was a tremendous success. Thank you to the students, teachers and community members that made this event possible. Special thanks to the Goshen Education Consulting Inc and DoDEA for the grant funds supporting our military families.

STEMKAMP 2022
Dates to Remember

Dates to Remember

Aug 25: School Board Meeting 6 p.m.

Aug 25: YHS 9th Grade Orientation 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Aug 26: YHS 10-12th Grade Orientation 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (see website for details)

Aug 30: YMS Orientation 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Aug 31: RMS Orientation 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.


Sept 1: Elementary Open Houses (see school websites for details)

Sept 6: First Day of School Grades 1-12

Sept 8: School Board Meeting 6 p.m. at Southworth Elementary (public tours to follow)

Sept 9: First Day of Kindergarten

Sept 19: First Day of Pre-School

Sept 21: First Late Start

Dates to Remember
YCS District Logo

Stay Connected

YCS District Logo

107 North 1st Street, Yelm, Washington, USA communications@ycs.wednet.edu (360) 458-1900 ycs.wednet.edu

Yelm Community Schools does not discriminate in any programs, activities or employment opportunities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights: Julie Mondry, 360-458-1900, julie_mondry@ycs.wednet.edu; Title IX Coordinator: Lisa Cadero-Smith, 360-458-6120, lisa_cadero-smith@ycs.wednet.edu; and 504 Coordinator: Shannon Powell, 360-458-6124, shannon_powell@ycs.wednet.edu. Address: 107 First St N, PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597.