Announcements and Alerts Public Notification - Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Waiver Requests Date: March 7, 2024 The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request for relief from certain requirements of the SSO and SFSP to allow for flexibility in meal service during times of excessive heat, poor air quality, and unanticipated school closure: Non-congregate meal service during excessive heat warnings, air quality advisories, and/or unanticipated school closures Parent and guardian meal pick-up during excessive heat warnings, air quality advisories, and/or unanticipated school closures Meal service times during excessive heat warnings, air quality advisories, and/or unanticipated school closures Service of meals at school sites for unanticipated school closures If granted, these waivers would allow Sponsors of the child nutrition programs to provide uninterrupted meal service to children 18 years and under in the summer months when outdoor conditions may not be safe for congregate meal service and during unanticipated school closures in the regular school year when meal service options are limited due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety, or other issues as approved by the State Agency for similar unanticipated circumstances during the remainder of the 23-24 school year. For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4253.