Gary Schools add a Twist to Food Distribution
by Giving out Books to Students
Time frame for distribution is 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Early Arrival Suggested
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2020
 
(Gary, IND) – With the Gary Schools being closed through the end of the academic year, the District is committed to making food to available to students. On Monday, families can expect an additional benefit – books! As GCSC distributes food items to youth ages 18 and younger on Monday, April 20th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., each youth will also receive an age appropriate book.
 
“In light of Covid- 19 school closures, it is evident now more than ever that promoting literacy is important in ensuring student success,” said Kimberley Bradley, Acting Chief Academic Officer. “Taking part in literary experiences at home will help to develop comprehension skills, language skills, and provide a fun activity for the family to do together.” 
 
The District encourages promoting Family Literacy by:
1.     Read 30 minutes per day together
2.     Talk to children about why things happen (for example why a character in a book did a particular thing) and encourage them to draw on their existing knowledge to pull evidence for the text to support their answer.
3.     Encourage students to make realistic predictions about what they think will happen next
4.     Have your child retell or explain what the story is mostly about
 
During the food distribution, a fleet of buses will be dispatched to locations across the city and will stay in these locations for 45-minute increments or until food items are exhausted. There will not be a second route, therefore, early arrival is suggested. Families should only get food from one site to ensure that the District can serve as many youth as possible.
 
Food items will be handed out by district employees and representatives from food vendor Sodexo Magic. Check out this week’s menu here. The list of distribution stops can be found below, here and on the homepage of the school district’s website.
 
Families are asked to bring bags, boxes and any other items to help with the transport of their food items. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early. Security will also be on hand to conduct orderly distribution while ensuring that social distancing is practiced.
 
Full details of the District’s Coronavirus plan as well as the student instructional materials can be found at www.garycsc.k12.in.us. Daily updates will also be shared on the school corporation’s FacebookTwitter and Instagram pages.
 
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All media inquiries should be directed to Chelsea Whittington at cwhittington@garycsc.k12.in.us.
 
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
 
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
 
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.