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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS (in Spanish)
ACCOUNT
| ADULTS
| ALA CARTE | BREAKFAST | BUDGET
| BUYING MEALS | CHARGES | CHECKS | GUARANTEE
| HOMEMADE FOOD | KINDERGARTEN
| KITCHEN USE | MENUS | MONEY |
PURCHASES
| REFUNDS | SACK LUNCHES | SECONDS
| VEGETARIAN
ENTREES
ACCOUNT
What if I suspect someone else is using my child's account?
It is important that each child know their keypad number
(also known as universal pin) is confidential and should never be shared
with friends. The account is for the use of the named student ONLY,
multiple students, siblings, parents, etc. may not use the student
account to purchase meals. If you
feel someone is making unauthorized purchases or using your student's
account, please contact our office immediately at 221-2067. We will change
your student's confidential keypad number, investigate the matter, and work
out any account concerns you may have.
ADULTS
Can adults eat school meals? Why do they pay more?
Many teachers and staff eat school meals. We also encourage parents to join their children for meals at school, but please let the
kitchen Manager or Assistant know ahead of time (CONTACT
US). Adult meals cost more because we do not receive federal
reimbursement as we do for student meals. We are required to charge for
the total cost of the adult meal. Let us know if there is an item you would
like to see menued. We encourage adults (staff) to have meal accounts in our computerized
system. Check here for portion sizes for
adult school meals.
ALA CARTE
Can food be purchased ala carte? Do we have to purchase an entire meal?
All menu items may be purchased as ala carte. Price lists are at the
school kitchens. Prices are subject to change to reflect the changing cost
of supplies and labor.
BREAKFAST
Is breakfast served at all schools?
All schools provide a nutritious breakfast daily before the first bell.
BUDGET
Does Nutrition Services get money from the District general fund?
The Child Nutrition Services budget is a separate fund from the district's
general fund. To help keep teaching dollars in the classroom, meal
prices are set to help ensure that the Child Nutrition Services program is self
supporting.
BUYING
MEALS
How do we purchase meals at school?
Students or their parents may make prepayment
for meals by the week, month, or longer at any time by check or cash to the
Nutrition Services payment box in the cafeteria at the student's school or
online at www.paypams.com. Most
schools prefer that this is done by 9:30 am or before school in the morning
to ensure that the prepayment has been processed into the students account
before lunch time. Prepayment is
encouraged as this expedites the service to the student through the line,
allowing them more time to eat. We use
computerized accounts that track every student by name. Student balance
and purchase information is available online at www.paypams.com
or you may contact the school's Manager (see CONTACT
US). Money placed in your child's account may be used for purchasing
meals and any extra foods sold through the school lunch program. Parents may
contact their child's school Manager to place some limitations as to how their student's
meal account is spent. (i.e. you may indicate "No ala carte", "No
extra meals", or "Lunch only", etc.
CHARGES
Can students charge their meals?
It is not our intent to allow charges. However, if an
elementary school student has money
in his/her meals account, but it is insufficient for the day's meal, then a
charge may be allowed, and money will be expected the next day to cover
the charge. After three (3) unpaid charges, the child may receive a meal
equivalent to include a sandwich and milk at no cost. The campus
kitchens print charge slips and/or other reminder notes to send home when a child owes
money.
CHECKS
Can we write checks for meals? What happens if they are returned to the
school?
Checks are encouraged and may be placed in the
payment box located in the campus cafeteria; checks will not be taken at
the line during a meal session. Checks should be made payable to
"CISD Child Nutrition" and should include the student's full name and personal lunch number in the memo section of your check. The entire amount of the check will be deposited in the
student's account; we are unable to give change.
In the event that your check is
returned to CISD Child Nutrition unpaid by your bank, Comal ISD or its
agent will redeposit your check electronically. Additionally, by submitting a check, you understand
and agree that we may electronically collect a return check fee of $30.00.
The use of a check for payment is your acknowledgment and acceptance of
this policy and its terms. The use of PayPAMS is also available for online
payment by debit or credit card.
While there remains an unpaid check and/or related fees, checks
will not be accepted in payment for your student's meals.
GUARANTEE
Do you guarantee the food you serve?
Absolutely. If the quality of the meal is not
acceptable, please
return it for a different item; refunds will not be given.
HOMEMADE
FOOD
Can we bring homemade food to class parties or to sell at school
fundraisers?
Unfortunately, no. To ensure the safety and sanitation of food served
to school children, our local policy prohibits homemade food at
school functions. Food for class parties must be produced
by a commercially licensed food preparation kitchen or store.
KINDERGARTEN
Can kindergarten children eat at school?
As enrolled students, they are eligible to eat school meals and
participate in the Free and Reduced Meals Program. However, because
kindergarten children may not arrive at scheduled meal times, parents should contact
the school's office for their policy in supervising kindergarteners during
school meals.
KITCHEN
ACCESS AND USE
Can school kitchens and cafeterias be used for outside
functions?
Please contact Laurie Hock at the Child Nutrition Support
Services office for information regarding this matter.
MENUS
Who writes them? Are they balanced nutritionally? How
do we know "what's for lunch today?"
Menus are prepared by a licensed dietician. All
menus are analyzed through our nutrition inventory and database software to insure they are nutritionally balanced. This information
will be available online
soon. Some campuses provide menus in their newsletter or you may view them online; the elementary menu and the secondary menu
are on this web site. Menus for all schools
run a 3 cycle rotation. Secondary campuses provide additional choices to
include approved weight and content snacks.
MONEY
What happens to the money left in
my student's account at the end of the school year?
The money will be available to your student next year and will
transfer to any Comal ISD school in the district. If you prefer to get a
refund, or your student graduates or withdrawals, please complete a REFUND
request and mail or deliver it to the district Support Services office, attn:
Child Nutrition Refunds. (Address information on form) Money left unclaimed in the graduated or withdrawn student's account becomes the property of the CISD
Child Nutrition Dept after six (6) months. Refunds under 10.00 may be obtained at the campus
cafeteria before the last day of the school year.
PURCHASES
How can I monitor what my child is
eating or spending?
Our district has partnered with a resource to provide WEB access to
your student's lunch account. At PAYPAMS
you will be able to make prepayments to your student's account using your
debit or credit card, schedule regular prepayments to insure your student
always has meal funds, AND monitor their balance and their purchases. Additional
fees may apply.
SACK
LUNCHES
Are sack lunches available for field trips?
Yes. Teachers may request sack
lunches from the campus Manager for their students when planning a field trip . Since a sack lunch
is in place of a regular lunch, it is charged to the child's meal
account. Sack lunches
contain a sandwich, fresh veggies, and milk or juice. Sack
lunches need to be ordered at least five (5) days in advance.
SECONDS
Can my child have seconds if he/she is still hungry?
In order to control costs and portions, free
second entrees are not available. Our meals are prepared to meet the
recommended caloric requirements. However, after
completing their meal, he/she may then purchase an entree or second meal by paying the
appropriate price. Check
here for
pricing of extra meal items (ala carte pricing).
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