JP Schools Announces Friday Changes to Meals and Packet Distribution
Jefferson Parish Schools has announced two changes to the support it is providing families. While families will still be served meals for every day of the week at the district’s 13 Grab & Go sites, weekend meals will not be provided until additional approval is granted by the USDA. The district is also consolidating its learning packet distribution to two sites for Friday: Bissonet Plaza Elementary and Gretna Middle.
JP Schools began a partnership with the Three O’Clock Project April 1 on its Grab & Go meals program. The shift allows the district to serve the same amount of meals to students while only operating the sites three days a week (Monday-Wednesday-Friday). JP Schools and the Three O-Clock Project were originally given approval to serve weekend meals on Fridays. The USDA then notified the state this week that it was still weighing funding approval for the weekend meals. Families will continue to receive breakfasts and lunches for that day and the next on Monday and Wednesday, as well as lunch and breakfast on Friday. Jefferson Parish Schools has served over 125,000 meals to children since starting its Grab & Go service March 18.
After passing out 43,000 printed learning packets on Monday and Wednesday, the district will consolidate packet distribution to two sites Friday: Bissonet Plaza Elementary at 6818 Kawanee Drive in Metairie and at Gretna Middle at 910 Gretna Blvd. in Gretna. Packets are available for all grade levels, but supply is limited. Families with home internet access are encouraged to use the district's online resources. The printed packets were created for families unable to access the district’s online resources. The first and second round of packets, along with additional resources, can be found at jpschools.org/LearnAtHome.
The 13 Grab & Go sites are open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sites will be closed April 10 to observe Good Friday. The locations are:
- Bissonet Plaza Elementary: 6818 Kawanee Drive in Metairie
- Emmett Gilbert School: 435 S. Jamie Blvd. in Westwego
- Fisher: 2529 Jean Lafitte Blvd. in Lafitte
- Gretna Middle: 910 Gretna Blvd. in Gretna
- Hazel Park Elementary: 8809 Jefferson Hwy. in River Ridge
- Marie Riviere Elementary: 1564 Lake Ave. in Metairie
- Marrero Middle: 4100 7th Street in Marrero
- Meisler Middle: 3700 Cleary Ave. in Metairie
- Riverdale High: 240 Riverdale Drive in Jefferson
- Terrytown Elementary: 550 E. Forest Lawn Drive in Terrytown
- Truman School: 5417 Ehret Road in Marrero
- Woods Elementary: 1037 31st Street in Kenner
- Worley Middle: 801 Spartans Drive in Westwego
Eighty-two percent of the families in JP Schools are economically disadvantaged.
Three O’Clock Project (TOP) is a nonprofit organization. Their mission is to provide healthy meals and nutrition education for at-risk students after school.
Meals will be provided to all children age 18 and under without charge. Acceptance and participating requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Jefferson Parish Schools is an equal opportunity provider.