Information about Pre Paid Lunch/ Breakfast Program

We have recently automated the school cafeterias. The new cafeteria system includes a Point-of-Sale terminal which allows us to track and report information required of us by numerous Federal and State regulations regarding the National School Lunch Program as well as information regarding student purchases.

As part of this new system, each student will have a debit “account” and Personal Identification Number (PIN) for cafeteria purchases. Parents may choose to deposit money in the account for students to use to purchase breakfast, lunch and ala carte items from the school cafeteria. As students come through the line they enter their PIN, purchases are made and if money has been deposited on account, the cost of the items is deducted from the balance. If parents choose not to prepay, students can pay cash for their lunches.

What Are The Benefits Of The New System?

§ Parents know where their money is going. Limits can be set on snacks and meal purchases when meal credits are purchased in advance. Cash cannot be taken out of an account.

§ Parents can pay with a weekly, monthly or yearly check. They don’t have to worry about finding spare change for the student every day and the money won’t be lost before lunch or breakfast, either.

§ Free and reduced meal program students cannot be distinguished from paid students at the register.

If you wish to continue to pay cash for your child’s lunch or breakfast, it is suggested that you send in a small prepayment ($5.00) to deposit to your child’s account in the event that lunch or breakfast money is forgotten. This will save both you and your child the additional worry of dealing with this situation. Children will no longer be able to borrow forgotten lunch or breakfast money from the school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How does it work?

A. As students pass through the serving line, they always enter their PIN. Purchases are logged in the system and if money has been deposited on account, the cost of the items is deducted from the balance.

Q. What if my child forgets his/her PIN?

A. PIN information is available to the cashier using the student’s name or homeroom.

Q. Who do we make a check out to for prepayment on my child’s account?

1. Westhill CSD Internal Fund

Q. Do we need to put our child’s name on the check?

A. Yes. Put your child’s name and classroom teacher on the memo line and place in a sealed envelope.

Q. Can I pay with a credit card?

A. No, not at this time.

Q. Who do I give my prepayment to?

1. Prepayments will still be handled by the cafeteria staff and cashiers as they currently are.

Q. Do I have to prepay?

A. No. Students can pay cash for their lunches as they have done in the past.

Q. How much money can I put on my child’s account?

A. Any amount is fine.

17. Can I limit the amount of snack money my child spends?

A. Yes. If you prepay, you can set a daily or weekly limit on the amount of money your child spends from their account on non-meal items. You can also limit the number of meals purchased per day.

Q. What happens to the balance of my child’s account at the end of the school year?

A. Their balance will follow them for use next year, even if they switch

buildings. Graduating seniors can transfer their money to a sibling.

The cafeteria staff will be happy to answer any additional questions about this exciting system. To contact the Food Service Office, please call Steve Jaychm at 426-3019.