Schools collaborate to provide lunches through closure

SEELEY LAKE – While Seeley Lake Elementary bus driver Gary Wayne drove his route Monday morning, he never picked up any children. Instead he, along with SLE kitchen staff Joy Clemens, dropped off sack lunches and breakfasts packaged for area students who are home due to school closures. This is a service being offered to area students 18-years-old and younger at no cost while schools are closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Governor Steve Bullock closed schools statewide March 15 – March 27. Since SLE and SSHS were on spring break the first week of closures, they didn't start the meal delivery until March 23.

"We know that we have a large number of students in our area that qualify for free or reduced lunch," wrote SSHS Principal Kellen Palmer in an email. "We also recognize that this is a very difficult time for many families.  When school is closed, students lose access to essential nutrition.  We want our students and families to stay healthy and nourished during this COVID-19 related school closure."

Missoula County Public Schools decided to use elementary bus routes in the city because they reach the most areas of their community. With the unique situation in Seeley Lake with SLE and SSHS being separate Districts, Palmer and SLE Superintendent Daniel Schrock worked together to figure out the way to best serve all the families regardless of which school the students attend. Since Conley Transportation is the bus contractor at both schools and are insured, they were a logical choice to ensure families had access to meals even if they didn't have transportation to SLE or SSHS.

"We are lucky that Conley Transportation and their bus drivers agreed to use a similar system for our high school and elementary students in the area," wrote Palmer.

Wayne has driven bus for the elementary school for more than 15 years. He developed the route combining both elementary routes and the high school route.

"I'm impressed with how well the schools are working together," said Wayne.

SLE kitchen staff Susie Ferdinand and Joy Clemens worked with SSHS cook Karla Triepke preparing nearly 80 sack lunches and breakfasts for area students Monday morning. Palmer expects this could increase to more than 200 lunches if the school closure is extended.

Parents and guardians are asked to sign up via the online form available on the SLE website. Visit sleonline.org and then click on COVID-19 Information. The Lunch Sign Up Form is on the right.

Breakfasts and lunches are available to all students and their siblings even if they don't attend SLE or SSHS. Once students are signed up they will continue to receive lunches unless they call Schrock (677-2265) or Palmer (677-2224) and cancel the request. Palmer asks that parents help monitor any known food allergies within their family since they will not be accounted for in the lunches.

The free meals are funded through a Federal Program sponsored and paid for by the US Department of Agriculture. They authorized schools to implement summer nutrition plans during the emergency closures.

"I just want [everyone to] know how much I appreciate Dan and SLE's willingness to work together in this tough time and do what is best for everyone in the community," wrote Palmer. "We both spent a lot of time along with both of our head cooks trying to make all the logistics work and I'm grateful for their assistance."

Schrock expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for the collaboration with Palmer, SSHS and MCPS during this unprecedented time for the schools, the students and their families.

"This collaboration is a testament to the good that comes from focusing on what is best for our kids and their families in spite of the present circumstances," wrote Schrock.

SSHS students are encouraged to visit http://www.mcpsmt.org/covid-19 to stay informed and to access digital learning options for this week.