Dear Parent/Carer,

I am writing to you with an update on how we as a school intend to provide a free school meal to your child/children. From Monday 30^th March 2020 we are moving to an e-voucher system through Morrisons.  In order to access this system, we have had to select one supermarket to work with and as Morrisons is the largest supermarket in close proximity to most parents, we felt this would be the best option. Each week you will be emailed a voucher with a unique bar code on. The value of this voucher will be calculated at £3 per child per day. This amount could be subject to change when the Government rolls out the national programme for providing free school meals at home.

 In following current guidelines, I must inform you that this voucher scheme is only available to pupils who qualify for free school meals linked to benefits and for statutory school aged children. As children attending nursery are not of statutory school age this means that they do not qualify for this voucher scheme. 

We are hoping to be able to be in a position to get these vouchers emailed to you on Monday  30^th March 2020 however, as with any new system, and particularly one that is currently in high demand by a large number of schools, this process may be delayed. From Monday 30^th March 2020 the collection of a free school meal packed lunch from the school premises will no longer be available.

Details of how to use these vouchers will be provided at the same time as receiving the voucher. These vouchers are restricted to spending on food items only.

I appreciate that this system is not ideal for everyone but in the current situation we have had to make the decision on how to proceed that will be in the best interest of most families whilst continuing to keep families, staff and children safe. If you do not live near Morrisons then you will be able to make an online order using the vouchers.

The Government guidelines are constantly under review and are subject to change. Please be assured that I keep up to date with all the latest guidance and we will change and adapt to follow any published guidance.

Thank you for your support in this matter, these are difficult times for everyone, and we all need to continue to work together offering each other support and a smile. If you have any questions, worries or concerns then please contact school by email on parents@moorside.calderdale.sch.uk whilst there are some staff in school each day it is not always possible to have someone in the office and therefore the phones may not always be answered.

Yours faithfully,

 Miss. D. Worthington