Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer Information

Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, families that qualify for free or reduced price meals at school may be eligible for a new one-time Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) of up to $302 per child (Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 12) to help cover the cost of meals students have eaten at home on days that schools have been closed. Students can receive P-EBT benefits even if they have been or continue to receive meals provided by the school district during the school closure. If your child was not previously eligible for free or reduced price meals, but you have now lost income, you may be eligible to receive P-EBT benefits (review the P-EBT Eligibility Criteria document below).

The benefit is placed on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card families use to buy food. If you received Food Stamp (SNAP) benefits in March, do not apply for these new/additional benefits. The full $302 will automatically be loaded to your existing EBT card. If you did not receive Food Stamp (SNAP) benefits in March, you must apply for this benefit by June 30, 2020 (see below).

The most efficient way to apply is to submit your application online at https://www.emergencymealsurvey.com/MO. You will also likely experience a faster approval process. If you’re not able to apply online, you can follow the link below to the paper application. The fillable PDF document can then be emailed or mailed to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). You will find complete instructions and additional details in the letter to families below.

Please review these important documents carefully:
·         P-EBT LETTER TO PARENTS
·         P-EBT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
·         P-EBT ONLINE APPLICATION
·         P-EBT PAPER APPLICATION (hard copy to fill out and email or mail to DESE if you’re not able to submit the application online)

*         PAPER APPLICATION IN SPANISH
·         P-EBT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

To request a paper application be mailed to you, please contact our Food and Nutrition Services office at 573-751-3526. Please do not send completed applications to your school; see the letter to families above for application submission information.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) will send families a letter indicating they are approved or denied. If you have questions on how to apply for the P-EBT benefit, contact DSS through the online chat feature at mydss.mo.gov or call 855-373-4636. For more information on the EBT card, visit: mydss.mo.gov/food-assistance/ebt.

Summer School Dates
Some dates have been selected for summer school in Dallas County. High school remediation virtual courses will begin Wednesday, May 27. Summer school for students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade will begin June 15. More information will be shared as we get closer to these dates and additional social distance guidance is available. We will continue to share information via phone, email, text, mobile app, and on the bisonpride.org website. 

Thank You Teachers and Staff
During this teacher appreciation week, DCR1 would like to thank its AWESOME teachers, paraprofessionals, librarians, counselors, food service professionals, bus drivers and aides, substitute teachers, building and grounds professionals, administrative professionals, technology specialists, and administrators. Thank you for the positive impact you make on our students. BISON PRIDE!

New WiFi Hot Spots and Meal Delivery/Pick-Up Schedule, April  20, 2020
We will implement a new meal delivery schedule beginning Monday, April 20 and continuing through May 20, 2020. Two meals will be delivered on Mondays and three meals will be delivered on Wednesdays. There will be NO deliveries on Fridays. Parents whose children do not ride a bus can pick up five meals on Tuesdays at the BHS cafeteria between 8-10 a.m. The new schedule will allow us to reduce person to person contact a little more.

The DCR1 Technology Department has created WiFi hot spots in the parking lots of Mallory Elementary, BPMS, and BHS. Students can connect to the WIFI with personal devices and school issued Chromebooks. Please see the attachment for more specific information about logging into the WiFi network.

Also, please be watching for information very soon about end of the year procedures for students. 

COVID-19 Tech Resources
The DCR1 Technology Department has developed several resources to assist students and parent during this time of school closure. These resources include newly installed WIFI access outside each of the three school buildings in Buffalo. You can access this information in the Quick Links below or CLICK HERE.