Does your school require everyone to fill out a FARMS application?

[Anonymous]

I know that we don't qualify, and I feel a little uncomfortable disclosing information about our income to the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that we don't qualify, and I feel a little uncomfortable disclosing information about our income to the school.

I think you can skip it.

[Anonymous]

We just write "we don't qualify, thank you" and sign - that's all you need to do. Some schools just need or want proof that the form was distributed to all.

[Anonymous]

Fill out the top section and Sign the form, but don't fill out the income section.

[Anonymous]

Everyone has to fill out the form. If you don't want it, you just check the box saying that you are refusing the aid, and sign it. You don't have to disclose income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that we don't qualify, and I feel a little uncomfortable disclosing information about our income to the school.

Yes, every school requires it from every student and need the forms to prove they should receive the subsidized or free meals. You can just say you don't qualify for a free or reduced price without disclosing income. The bigger problem is students that don't qualify and don't return the form, because then the school cannot get the meals for that student.

[Anonymous]

We just wrote "decline" after filling in the information that they already have about us (address, family size, etc.). No one batted an eye.

[Anonymous]

Don't worry OP, everyone already knows what a GS11 and a GS12 make. Be proud of your 145k HHI and relize that after stretching you might actually have low enough discretionary income that you should qualify even if it doesn't work that way.

[Anonymous]

No. We are at a Title 1 school and everyone gets free breakfast and lunch.

[Anonymous]

Our charter does not require, but does request, that everyone fill out the FARMS form. I didn't last year in part because I kept forgetting but in part because like you I felt a bit uncomfortable disclosing our specific financial details. I appreciate the advice here about just writing "decline" -- we'll do that this year.

[Anonymous]

The form doesn't require financial details if you don't qualify. Basically, you just enter the kids name and school, decline the free lunch and sign. WaLa! Been doing it exactly the same way for years.

[Anonymous]

We just decline and return it. They hound us if we don't return it.

[Anonymous]

On behalf of admins, please spend a few seconds to complete and return the form. It helps provide more accurate data on student populations in schools and across the city. Schools are expected to collect the forms. I know a lot of forms seem intrusive, but trust me, we'd rather get something back, even if you write "none of your business" across the top. Schools are under a lot of pressure for data compliance. We try, really. But when papers don't come back at all, we're the ones blamed for noncompliance.

Nobody enjoys paperwork, but we do need the data on the paper. It may not seem important or even relevant to you, but there are usually legal or policy issues involved.

Thank you to all parents for being observant and also patient while we try our best to get through enrollment season in a timely way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The form doesn't require financial details if you don't qualify. Basically, you just enter the kids name and school, decline the free lunch and sign. WaLa! Been doing it exactly the same way for years.

Please tell me you're using 'WaLa' ironically. Please tell me you're not that dumb for real.

[Anonymous]

DCPS requires it of everyone. YOu can just say you don't qualify.