We have that system too. It started at the high school a few years ago now all the schools have it. It really helps us out.
Every school in the whole district gets 20 minutes. Our principal made ours 25 minutes one year but was forced to change it back. Something about it messing up the hours. Blah, blah. I don't think it mattered all that much. There are 10 minutes difference between the parent pick up bell and the bus bell at the elementaries. I don't see why it could have been made up there. Anyhow, the young kids seem to get done eating ok, but the high school students have to stand in line sometimes for 15 minutes. Many are seen inhaling their food. It was a little like this when I was in school. There are two lunch lines and altogether 4 lunch groups. I wished they could come up with something so the kids would have enough time to eat.
We use a computer program for lunches at our school too--only the elementary building. Parents send in money or checks with their student and the teacher collects them(you can pay by the week or month--its your choice) the info is entered into the computer in the cafateria and at lunch the kids go in line get their food and when they get to the end of the line the cafateria worker presses the childs name or picture of the child on the screen and takes off either price for lunch or milk--the students are listed by classroom so it is very simple for the cafateria worker--it did take a few weeks for her to get everyones name right but she has it down now--if you are low on your students balance a note is sent home so you know when to send in money. The Pto was asked to help purchase this and we gave $1000 but i am not sure how much more the principal had to add to get this set-up. For alittle more money he could purchase the system where parents go online and pay but that has not been done yet.
I cannot believe how cheap your lunches are! We live in a very low income area and I think full price is $2.25! I know it is for adults. The majority of our students are on free/reduced lunch. :cool:
I really like the idea of a pre-pay - debit system.
How does it work? Do the kids have to have a card with them or is all of their info. on a computer when they exit the cafeteria line?
Is this a district system or is it only done at your school? Where do you send the money to have put into your child's account, the school or a district office?
I would think it might be somewhat of an expensive system to impliment, but it sure would be nice.
I remember purchasing tickets for lunch and just bringing the ticket in for each lunch. That system seemed better than bringing money in every day or week.
Our district provides the meals for all of the elementary schools except I believe the two charter schools. The meals are fairly nutritious and kids get a salad and fruit everyday with their meal if they choose. White milk, chocolate milk and orange juice are the options for drinks.
For $1.75 a day, I think they are provided much more nutritious food than years ago.
Yeah, Friday is usually pizza day, but the kids love the pizza they serve. I don't think all of the entrees are as healthy as they could be...chix nuggets, etc. but my son usually brings his lunch on those days.
I can't believe that some schools offer fruit rollups and soda pop in grade school! I would certainly be advocating that that be stopped.
Our school does still use the trays. Using paper/foam plates is not teaching kids to be very environmentally conscientious, and that wouldn't fly very well with the parents in this community.
I've never heard of a vending machine dispensing milk before. Milk is served in cartons during lunch at our school. Just wondering when the kids would even have time to go to any milk or pop machine during the day anyway.
