Dare County Schools Meal Service suspended until April 9; New procedures adopted

Meal service for Dare County Schools has been suspended until Thursday, April 9, and once operations resume, the procedures will change due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in Dare County.

Beginning Thursday, April 9, buses will no longer deliver to community sites. Meals will be available for pick up from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Tuesdays at the three designated school sites: Cape Hatteras Elementary, First Flight Elementary, and Manteo Elementary.

“Grab and Go” no-contact procedures will be in place at these locations on Tuesday and Thursday of each week, and meals will be packaged to cover breakfast and lunch over multiple days.

The complete message from Dare County Schools Superintendent John Farrelly is below.

Message from Superintendent Farrelly:

Dare County Families,

Good afternoon. Over the past few weeks, Dare County Schools has served over 9,000 meals. With increasing numbers each week, it is evident that this program has become essential in providing much-needed support for our students and families, contributing to the health and well-being of our students. Dare County Schools is committed to continuing the meal program during this unprecedented time.

In light of the most recent report of the sixth COVID-19 positive case in Dare, we will be implementing changes to the operation and schedule of the meal program to reduce the potential risk of exposure to our staff and families. In order to prepare for these changes, the meal program will be temporarily suspended until Thursday, April 9th.

Beginning Thursday, April 9th buses will no longer deliver to community sites. Meals will be available for pick up from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm at the three designated school sites: Cape Hatteras Elementary, First Flight Elementary, and Manteo Elementary. Multiple pick up stations will be set up in front of Cape Hatteras and Manteo Elementary Schools. First Flight Elementary School pick up stations will be located in the bus parking lot on the West side of the building (between FFES and FFMS).

“Grab and Go” no-contact procedures will be in place at these locations Tuesday and Thursday of each week. Meals will be packaged to cover breakfast and lunch over multiple days. (Thursday’s meal pick up will provide lunch for that day, plus breakfast and lunch for Friday and Monday, and breakfast for Tuesday the following week. Tuesday’s meal pick up will include lunch for that day plus, breakfast and lunch for Wednesday and breakfast for Thursday.)

It is our goal to continue to offer the meal program throughout the time schools remain closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak and will do so as long as it is safe to do so.

Thank you for your continued support.