TULSA---Tulsa Pubic Schools say starting the first day of school, all elementary students will be eligible for free breakfast and lunch.
Some TPS parents say they couldn't be more thrilled. Now, they're hoping the program will expand to secondary grades.
Most kids are getting their splashes in before summer fades to the school year. But when they go back to class, they'll be able to get their fill in the cafeteria.
"For those kids who might unfortunately might not have much at home, at least they know they are going to have two full healthy meals a day," parent Jennifer Flexner said.
"This year we will implement the program for the first time that will allow all students in all of our elementary schools to eat breakfast and lunch for free," TPS Chief Information and Operations Officer Blaine Young said.
If you think you heard it wrong, you didn't. TPS says there are 54 elementary schools in Tulsa. They say in total, the program will give two free meals a day to more than 22,000 children.
"If they can offer it to you in the summer for free, then they should offer it to you at school for free," parent Desaray Whitehead said.
Healthy kids are happy kids. Desaray Whitehead says her daughter will be taking full advantage of the program.
"It will definitely make it a lot less stressful knowing that she will be able to eat breakfast and lunch and everything everyday at school and it's one less worry for sure," she said.
Some parents say it may accomplish more than full bellies, they say it could keep the bullies at bay.
"With making fun of them or with even being a little ashamed that, 'Oh we can't afford to feed ourselves so I'm getting this,'" Flexner said. "Now all of that will be erased and it really levels the playing field I think on the parents of the socioeconomic level."
This change will help students focus not on their appetite for food, but their appetite for knowledge.
Families with children in secondary grades will still have to fill out the free and reduced meal applications in order to benefit. Online applications are available starting August 5, click here to find them after that date.
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