COLDWATER, MI (WTVB)- With approximately 23% of Coldwater’s student population identifying as Muslim and during the month-long observance of Ramadan they may be unable to participate in breakfast and lunch meals served during the school day due to fasting, Coldwater Community Schools, in partnership with food service provider Chartwells K12, is launching an initiative to provide take-home breakfast and lunch meals to students observing Ramadan.
The program will run from February 28- March 21, 2025, in accordance with a waiver approved by the Michigan Department of Education and the USDA.
This initiative marks the first year Coldwater Community Schools has participated in the waiver program. The Michigan Department of Education initiated the waiver in November 2024, and Tamara Santora, the district’s director of dining services, applied for and secured approval.
Meals will be distributed at the end of each school day for students to take home and consume after sunset and before sunrise. Parents are not permitted to pick up meals per the waiver guidelines.
One breakfast and one lunch will be provided to eligible students who attended school that day and did not participate in the regular breakfast and lunch programs. Distribution will not happen during Spring Break from March 24-28.
Families must complete a form to opt in or out of the program for the Ramadan period. Forms for the program will be distributed through the mail, email, Friday folders, and off the district website.
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