Frequently Asked Questions
Healthy Eating Helps You Make the Grade!
Did you know that students who are well-nourished are shown to have increased problem-solving abilities, memory, verbal fluency and creativity? Still, the challenge is to make nutritious foods that kids will actually eat! Variety and choices are key these days. And at just $1.15 for elementary and $1.45 for secondary students, HSD2 school lunches are clearly one of the best deals around! We serve over 7,000 lunches and 2,600 breakfasts daily.
Just how healthy are school meals?
School lunches provide one-third of the recommended dietary intake for calories, protein and vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. On average a meal contains less than 30 percent of calories from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat. In recent years HSD2 has increased the use of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. In the elementary schools all cooked products are either baked or steamed; nothing is fried.
What are the prices for school meals?
Elementary:
Breakfast:
Full paid student $.60
Reduced student $.00
Free student $.00
Lunch:
K-2 Full paid student $1.15
K-2 Reduced student $ .00
3-6 Full paid student $1.15
3-6 Reduced student $ .40
Free student $ .00
Secondary:
Breakfast:
Full paid student $.70
Reduced student $.00
Free student $.00
Lunch:
Full paid student $1.45
Reduced student $ .40
Free student $ .00
Yes; all students have a district lunch account. Parents may prepay by cash or check made payable to Nutrition Services or money can be brought daily. There is a link on the District Nutrition Service's web site that parents can access to put money on their child's lunch account via either credit card or a debit card.
Schoolpaymentsolutions.com
What if we can't afford school meals?
Students may be eligible for free or reduced price lunches if their families meet federal guidelines. The application process only takes a minute to fill out and can be done at any time during the school year. It is the parent's responsibility to make sure the application is filled out each year. The student will not qualify for free or reduced meal prices until the application is approved; it is also the responsibility of the parent to pay for meals until the application is approved.
How can I find out what's for lunch each day?
Lunch menus are available at each school for the student to take home and the menu is posted online at each school and the district web site. To view the menu online at the school site click on the For Parents tab and click on Cafeteria Menu. For the district web site click on Departments, Support Services, Nutrition Services and click on Menu.
Why does the adult get charged $2.50 for lunch?
Our district participates in the USDA's Child Nutrition Programs. Through these programs, we receive state and federal funding. The subsidies that we receive may only be used toward the cost of meals provided to the students. Based on this, the cost of an adult meal must include all expenses incurred, including: food, supplies, equipment, staff, etc. The Food Service Department is financially independent of the district's budget.
Is eating a good breakfast really important?
A hungry child cannot learn. Our breakfast program offers all children a critical jump start at the beginning of their school day. Children who aren't hungry feel better, learn better, and behave better. A (1997) Breakfast Study found that students who ate breakfast had a general increase in math grades and reading scores, increase student attention, reduced nurse visits, and improved student behaviors.
Why should I be concerned with my child's eating habits?
Child nutrition is no small issue; childhood obesity is on the raise. There is no better time than the early years to make an impact on the lifelong eating and exercise habits that can contribute to health maintenance and disease prevention.
How much does this program add to my school tax bill?
Nothing! HSD2 Food Service Program is entirely self supporting we get no support from District's general fund.
Who can I contact for more information?
Contact Nutrition Services Department, (719) 579-2044