4-day school week prompts concern for hungry students

CATOOSA, Okla (KTUL) — Many schools are considering four-day school weeks to save money during the budget shortfall from the State of Oklahoma. But as schools shorten their weeks, there is concern that students may go hungry that extra off day.

At Catoosa Middle School, administrators are anticipating starting next year with a four-day week. They are concerned about hunger and the district's students.

"If we have kids that we have learned are not having meals at home, the way they need to, or they are hungry over the weekend, we make sure they have a bag of food they can take home that is easy for them to prepare on their own," said Principal Della Parrish, who would not show KTUL her modest food bank on camera.

Parrish says workers, teachers and community members contribute to their stock. She and others are concerned the upcoming four-day school week could cause hunger pains for thousands of Oklahoma children.

"It's hard enough for kids that are missing two days of free and reduced lunch but now we are talking about a third day. And many families can't factor in those extra meals with their already stretched budgets," said Eileen Bradshaw, executive director of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

The Food Bank fills backpacks for as many as 10,000 hungry students each week to take home for the weekend. But she says that will not be enough to help students in those schools that change to the four-day schedule.

"We can try to step in and we know a lot of schools are making arrangements to try to extended feeding or expand pantries but it is still creating a gap in a child's nutrition," said Bradshaw.

In Oklahoma, about two out of every three kids depend on free and reduced lunches.

Catoosa has about 60 percent of its students on free and reduced lunches. Middle school administrators say they are ready to expand their program if they have to.

"If we have kids that are hungry, families that are hungry, we are going to do our best to find resources to help them with that," said Parrish.