3/16/2020

CMSD has turned 22 elementary schools into meal sites that will help keep students 18 and younger fed with free carryout meals during the extended spring break ordered by Gov. Mike DeWine.

The 22 sites, which began operation Monday, also are distributing grade-appropriate instructional material that students can use to keep their academic skills sharp while schools are closed.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, the sites will supply students with a free brown bag lunch, along with breakfast for the next day. Students must be present to receive meals. CMSD is also providing yellow bus service to and from the food pickup sites for those who need transportation. (See flyer for locations below).

A mother who stopped by Oliver H. Perry School left with a milk crate full of meals for five children in preschool through high school. The crate also contained paper instructional materials that she asked for upon entering the school cafeteria.

"It's stressful" dealing with the crisis, she said. "But we're making it work. "I've home-schooled before. I just have to get into a routine."

District CEO Eric Gordon rode a yellow bus that stopped at Garrett Morgan High School and Paul L. Dunbar School before arriving at Waverly School, another one of the meal distribution locations.

People were trickling into the site, but Gordon was not surprised things were off to a slow start. He said families were responding as if it were a snow day.

“Everything is working fine,” he said. “Our school nutrition staff has the meals, and the instructional packets are available.”

Gordon said every precaution is being taken on the shuttle buses to make sure people are practicing "social distancing" to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

“We are encouraging one person per seat,” he said. “We are using antiseptic fog on the buses after the routes, and our environmental specialists are cleaning the buildings, common areas, cafeterias and offices so we know we are in a clean and sanitized site.”

For updates on CMSD’s response to the coronavirus, a list of meal sites, a shuttle schedule and academic, health and safety resources, go to clevelandmetroschools.org/coronavirus.