The purpose of this policy is to establish limitations on the number of breakfasts or lunches a student may receive when the account balance is not sufficient to cover those costs, to provide for alternate meals to be served to students when account balances reach certain limits, and to protect the District from such unpaid financial obligations.

Each day that a student eligible for reduced price or paid meals brings the actual amount of the cost of the meal, that student will be provided a breakfast and/or lunch and the amount received will be applied to the cost of that meal rather than to reduce a prior negative balance.

In the event that a student’s account balance reaches -$15.00, the student will be offered an alternate meal meeting reimbursable requirements of the USDA school nutrition program. The District will also provide the necessary forms for the student’s parent or guardian to apply for free or reduced price meals. Such benefits may be applied for at any time during the school year.

To the extent possible, all actions pertaining to students with negative account balances will be handled as confidentially as possible. Communications regarding account balance concerns will be provided in writing by an assigned District Foodservice staff member and/or by automated phone calls. Students will not be used as couriers of such information.

This policy shall be provided in writing on an annual basis to students and parents through the District website and also in the annual back to school mailing and in school handbooks. The policy shall also be provided in writing to households transferring into the District during the school year. It shall also be provided to school administrators and others charged with enforcement of this policy.

This policy shall be reviewed and adopted on an annual basis.

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There will be an option available to apply for free or reduced meals online for the 2022-2023 school year using our Wordware lunch program. This option will be available starting July 5, 2022.
To access the free/ reduced app, you must first activate your Wordware family account. If you need assistance with activation, please contact Julie Reiff at 402-563-7000 ext. 12270

Once your Wordware account is activated, you are encouraged to complete an online application.

1. Log in to your Wordware account by going to lobby.wordwareinc.com. Enter your username and password.

2. Click on the orange “GO” button by the knife/fork icon.

3. Click on the blue “Apply for free/ reduced benefits” button.

4. Click on the blue “Get started” button.

5. Fill out your information, and submit your form.

The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as a paper application. Computers and assistance are available at the CPS Administration office, call 402-563-7060 if you have any questions about the free or reduced meals program.

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