Published: 1/22/2021 3:16:29 PM
NORTHFIELD — Although the Pioneer Valley Regional School District is entering a hybrid learning model, the Food Services Department will continue to distribute free “distance learning meal kits” on Fridays at pick-up locations in all four district towns — including at a new distribution site in Leyden.
The Food Services Department received a waiver from the United State Department of Agriculture that allows for the continued distribution of free meals to every student in the Pioneer school system, and anyone up to 21 years old in the towns of Bernardston, Northfield, Leyden and Warwick. According to the Pioneer Food Services Department’s webpage, this waiver extends through June 30.
Food Services Director Michael Onorato created a “PVRSD Food Services” Facebook page last week, and has posted updates for distance learning meal kit pick-up locations and times, as well as ordering information.
“Even when we’re in the hybrid learning model, we will still offer distance learning meal kits on Fridays,” he said.
Last week, the School Committee voted to have all students who have not opted for a fully remote education plan to return to hybrid learning on Monday, Jan. 25. According to Onorato, all students learning in person are able to receive free breakfasts and lunches every day they are in school. Students who are in school on Fridays for half the day will be given a grab-and-go lunch when they leave, if desired.
Originally, Leyden families were picking up meals at Bernardston Elementary School, where Leyden students have attended school since the closure of Pearl Rhodes Elementary School in 2019. After hearing concerns from Leyden parents who were unable to make it to Bernardston for the scheduled pick-up, School Committee member and Leyden Municipal Assistant Michele Giarusso lobbied for a drop-off location in Leyden. Distribution began at the former Pearl Rhodes building — now the Town Office building — last Friday.
Speaking Wednesday, Giarusso said she had heard from roughly a dozen Leyden families, via email and in person during the meal drop-off, who were grateful for the new location. Giarusso also noted she is glad to have the program available to home-schooled students and others in the four towns who are under 21 years old and not enrolled in the Pioneer district.
Any families that wish to receive distance learning meal kits must place orders by 9 a.m. on Mondays for that Friday’s distribution. An online meal pre-order survey is available at bit.ly/39Th5pb.
“We do our absolute best to make sure every child is provided free meals,” Onorato wrote on Facebook. He noted that all individuals picking up meals must wear masks and practice social distancing.
“We understand that you may be seated in your own automobile, but the food service staff cannot deliver meals to you if everyone that is able to wear a mask for that brief period of time in your automobile is not wearing a mask,” he wrote. “We need to follow specific guidelines to hand out these meals and need your help in making that happen.”
Families with questions may email Michael Onorato at [email protected].
Distance learning meal kits will be handed out:
■From 12:30 to 1 p.m. at Northfield Elementary School, 104 Main St. in Northfield.
■From 11:30 a.m. to noon at Pioneer Valley Regional School, 97 F. Sumner Turner Drive in Northfield.
■From 12:30 to 1 p.m. at Bernardston Elementary School, 37 School Road in Bernardston. Curbside meals will be served by the gymnasium entrance in the side parking lot.
■From 9:45 to 10 a.m. at the former Warwick Community School building, 41 Winchester Road in Warwick.
■From 12:45 to 1 p.m. at the Town Office building, 7 Brattleboro Road in Leyden.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at [email protected] or 413-930-4579.
