Granite School District families who qualified for free or reduced-price meals last year will need to reapply before their children can receive benefits this fall.

The district's August Parent Link newsletter, published Monday, Aug. 17, outlines three items Holladay-area families should act on as the school year gets underway: meal-benefit applications, Granite Youth Symphony recruitment and updated campus safety rules.

Meal applications reset every year

Federal eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals reset July 1, meaning last year's approval does not carry over. Families must submit a new application each school year through MySchoolApps or by sending a completed form to Granite Nutrition Services. One application covers all students in the same household attending Granite schools.

The district encourages families to apply even if they are unsure whether they qualify, noting that students who receive meal benefits may also be eligible for other district programs.

No specific deadline is listed in the newsletter.

Youth symphony recruiting for 2026-27

The Granite Youth Symphony is recruiting students for its upcoming season. Rehearsals for the Senior Youth Symphony begin Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Cottonwood High School, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday, according to the district's Granite Youth Symphony webpage.

The program offers both Junior and Senior Youth Symphony tracks. Students must register online through the symphony webpage and bring their instruments to the first rehearsal.

Visitor check-in, emergency protocols

All visitors to Granite campuses, including parents and guardians, must check in at the school office and present identification before entering other areas of the building during school hours. Visitors receive a badge or pass and must check out when leaving.

During an emergency protocol, the district said it will contact parents through text messages and emails as quickly as possible. The newsletter instructs parents not to come to the school during an active emergency unless directed otherwise.

These protocols apply district-wide, including all Granite schools in the Holladay area.

Tax hearing Tuesday

Separately, the district holds its Truth in Taxation hearing Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. at Granite Education Center, 2500 S. State Street. As we reported Aug. 12, the hearing covers a proposed property tax increase and allows public comment. Residents can attend in person or submit written comments through the meeting agenda posted at meetings.boardbook.org.