On Wednesday evenings, our notification system contacts parents of children whose meal balance is less than $5 but not at zero. We want to clarify some points about these calls:

If the balance is at zero, we assume that the child does not participate in the meal program so there is no need to contact the parent.
We notify those with positive balances below $5 to provide a head's up that within a few days additional funds will need to be added.
If you want to avoid these calls, either take your child's balance to zero or keep it above $5. The Parent Portal will be opened on Tuesday, Sept. 5, and through it parents will be able to check their students' meal balances. Information about accessing the portal will be sent on Monday, Sept. 4.

MEAL PRICES

Pre K-5th grade: free breakfast and $1.75 lunch (afternoon Pre-K students get free lunch)
6th-12th grade: breakfast $1.00 and lunch $1.85
 
FREE/REDUCED-PRICE MEALS

At the elementaries and middle school, students receive breakfast at no charge. Free and reduced-price lunches will be provided to those whose family income qualifies. A family application will be sent home with each child in their back-to-school packet of forms. We need one application per family/household returned for approval even though each student will receive one. If you have received a letter stating you are already approved for free/reduced lunches you do not need to complete the application. Applications  are available at all district buildings and may be completed and returned to any Open House or during the first week of school.
At the junior high and highschool, applications for free and reduced-price mealswill be sent home with each child in their back-to-school packet of forms. We need one application per family/household returned for approval even though each student will receive one. If you have received a letter stating you are already approved for free/reduced lunches you do not need to complete the application.
 
MEAL PROGRAM PAYMENTS

Payment to student lunch accounts may be handled with the following options:
● Cash, check or money order may be sent with and delivered by your student to the cafeteria in the morning before lunch shifts begin. One check could be sent for multiple students if you note amount to be applied for each child and their school. Currently we are not able to provide the option to pay by debit or credit, or to take online payments.
● A check or money order may be mailed to the school to the attention of the cafeteria. One check could be sent for multiple students if you note amount to be applied for each child and their school.

For Smith-Cotton High School, parents/guardians may personally deliver payment to the cafeteria between the hours of 8:20 and 11 a.m. Payment may not be dropped off at the high school office. Please feel free to call the high school cafeteria at 660-851-5380 with any questions.
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