CMSD CAFETERIA INFORMATION (updated August 2011):

• The menu is planned to include student preferences along with at least 1 “low fat” lunch choice daily.  Separate menus are planned for the elementary, intermediate, middle & high schools & are available on the district website (under information/food services) & in each school.  Monthly menus are sent home with elementary & intermediate school students.    Lunch includes a minimum of 3 items from the following food groups:  protein, bread, vegetable, fruit & milk.  As part of the district’s commitment to wellness, students in grades K – 2 must take all components each meal.  Help us promote good nutrition by reminding your child to take all of the 5 nutritious components offered.
• Breakfast is also available daily, including the first day of school.  Students must select a minimum of 3 (or maximum of 4) different items from the following food groups:  2 bread items (or 1 bread & 1 protein), fruit/juice & milk.
• Lunch Learners:  First Grade Students will be offered a full free lunch the first week of school compliments of the cafeteria operation.  While these students are becoming familiar with the cafeteria, you will not need to send in money for lunch on these designated days.  Ala carte items are not included in our “Lunch Learner” program.  There is a charge for kindergarten “snack” milk.
• Every student has an account in the cafeteria that can be accessed by using his or her student ID card (except at HS) or by entering their 6 digit ID number (Elementary-known as their River Deep #) into a pin pad.  If the student does not have their ID card or know their #, the cashier will look up their number or type in their last name, but this process does slow the line down.  ID cards are not to be taken home & are to be saved for future school years, please see school secretary to replace a lost card.  New ID cards will be made for incoming students.   
• The cafeteria POS/computer program is intended to be a debit program.  However, elementary students are permitted to charge breakfast & lunch if necessary.  Middle school students may charge a bag lunch.  Pre-payments are strongly recommended since they do speed up the cafeteria lines by eliminating the need for cash every day.  Pre-payments are accepted any day of the week, for any amount.  You can pay weekly, monthly or whatever is convenient for you.  Please include student name (& ID #) with payment & enclose cash in an envelope. Checks are preferred, made payable to CMSD Café Fund & should include ID # in the memo section.
• Meal Price Change: Breakfast is $ 1.00; a standard lunch is $ 1.75 (elem. & int.) or $ 1.85 (secondary); tier or “deluxe” is $ 2.25 (elem.) or $ 2.35 (secondary).  The cost for reduced meals is
• $ .30 for breakfast & $ .40 for lunch; provided a complete meal is selected.  Please include extra money if your child plans to purchase any extra items including a 2nd entrée or beverage.  A variety of low fat & skim milk is available for $ .50. 
• Parents are now able to deposit money into cafeteria accounts & check on student balances @ www.mylunchmoney.com.  There is a small fee for online payments, but no fee to review account, although student ID # is needed.  Negative balance letters are sent home regularly. Additional charges can occur in between the time the letter is printed & received.  Balances are carried over each year & from one school to another.
• Please initially contact your school nurse regarding any allergies or special diets.  Per recent Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations, water is not a substitute for milk.  Lactaid milk is available with proper documentation.
• Please contact your school cafeteria or the Food Service Office at 724-746-1040 with any questions or concerns.  School specific cafeteria information sheets are available upon request.  Melissa Schad, Food Service Director, ext. 2 (schadm@cmsd.k12.pa.us).

For questions regarding Free or Reduced Lunch applications, contact Ruth Spencer at Central Office     724-746-2940 ext 2, then ext 0.  Remember that you must complete a new application each year to continue to receive benefits, unless you receive “direct notification”.  Completed applications (one per household) are due by October 11 to ensure your children receive this benefit uninterrupted.