LUNCH AND BREAKFAST PRICES
Food Service News
August 26, 2009
Greetings!
It is the goal of the Ipswich Schools to serve nutritious, high quality and reasonable priced meals. This year, breakfast will be priced at $1.75 and lunch at $2.75. Reduced prices will remain the same. Please review the income guidelines for this assistance program.
We will still be using the "Lunch Box" pre-pay program again this year. All students automatically have an account with the cafeteria using their student ID number. Using it is optional. Payments can be made on-line, or you can send a check payable I.P.S. Food Service. Payments may be sent by mail, (ATT. Cafeteria), dropped off in the main office, or brought to any cashier. If you have more than one child, one check is acceptable. Please list the child's name(s) on the "memo" line. Statements will not be sent home. Balance information is available to all participants, at any register, at any time. Call Ext. 248, or email, as often as you'd like to check on an account. When a student balance is $10.00 or less, he/she is reminded at check out. Please remember, this program is a prepaid system. Our debit card system does a great job of tracking sales and deposits. It has many other functions as well, including the ability to personalize each account. Anything from allergies to spending limits may all be entered. Some example payment options are:
- 20 lunches (1month) would cost $55.00
- 20 breakfasts and lunches, would cost $90.00
- If your child is approved for reduced meals, the cost for 20 lunches would be $8.00 or $14.00 for breakfast and lunch. If your child is approved for free meals, they will not be charged for breakfast or lunch, but will be charged for extras or seconds.
The cafeteria offers a wide variety of choices every day. Most of the entree items are located on the outer perimeter of the serving area, while the salad/vegetable and fruit/dessert choices are conveniently located along the exit lines. Choosing one entree item, one vegetable, and one fruit/dessert along with 8oz milk, would provide a "meal".
There are many items available for a la carte or "Extra" purchasing. These may include a second entree, soft pretzels, bagels, low fat yogurt, larger milks or juices, bottled water, puddings, sub or wrap sandwiches, fresh fruit salads and ice cream. The prices range from $.50 to $3.50 (for a large garden salad). If you would like your student to be allowed to purchase "Extras" you must call me or send a note, preferably along with your check, to confirm authenticity. Please be specific and establish a limit with your student regarding allowed extras. For example, a note may state: extra-2nd entree only, or any extra OK, or no limits, or 1 extra Friday only. You do not need to send a new note each year, unless you wish to make a change. Charging extras will not be allowed and money may not be taken from an account for vending machine purchases. Using the debit card system is a guarantee that money is being spent in the cafeteria appropriately. Students are not allowed to make purchases for others from their account. When a student has picked up something they should not have, it will be removed from their tray at the check out. For unwrapped items such as pizza, bagels, or cookies, there will be a charge. At the discretion of the cashiers, the extra items may be taken and discarded. This will be done if the student has been repeatedly reminded of a negative balance or if it is repeated practices of a student with no note on file.
In regards to free/reduced meal plans, I urge you to review the application guidelines to see if you may be eligible. If you qualify, your student(s) will be able to receive breakfast and lunch for free, or for a reduced rate. These students will enter their I.D. number just as everyone else does. It is VERY discrete and can be updated at any time during the school year. If you become ill, disabled, or unemployed, even for a short time, please call me to request an application. If you were on a plan last June, in Ipswich, it will continue to be active only through September 30th. It is necessary to reapply prior to that date or meals will be charged to your student's account at the full price. As with all accounts, money must be sent prior to any "extra" and/or a la carte purchases. Any funds remaining in an account at the close of the school year will remain in the account for the following September. When your student graduates the money will be refunded or transferred to a sibling.
I urge you to visit our little restaurant! Your student may be eating here every weekday for years to come. And please, call me with any questions or concerns you may have.
Sincerely,
Debbi Comeau
Middle & High Food Service Manager
978-356-3137 ext. 248
