Homeless Education Information

August 1, 2024

Dear Parents/Guardians:

In compliance with the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as reauthorized in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Fox Chapel Area School District is attempting to identify all children within the district that may be experiencing homelessness.

The term homeless children and youth is defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. This includes individuals:

• Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason;
• Living in a motel, hotel, trailer park or campground due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters;
• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations or similar settings;
• Living in substandard housing (no running water or working utilities, infestations, etc.);
• Unaccompanied homeless child or youth that is not in the care of their parent or legal guardian.

Children who are experiencing homelessness may qualify for assistance with free school lunch, school supplies/materials, and tutoring and transportation so that they can remain in their school of origin throughout the duration of their homeless episode.

If you believe your child(ren) may qualify for this service, please contact my office.

If your living situation changes during the school year, and you and your children become homeless, please be sure to contact the school. We will work with you so that your child(ren)’s education is disrupted as little as possible.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac
Superintendent