Paying for Meals

CHARGE POLICY PAYING FOR MEALS PAYING FOR MEALS FAQ CHARGE POLICY: Any student in grades ECE through 5th grade, who forgets or loses his/her money, may charge a maximum of $5.00. Prior to this limit being reached, a written notice will be given to the student to notify the parent/guardian. If payment for charges is not received the next school day, an alternate meal will be served and after that a nutritious snack, a full meal will not be provided to the student. In all cases, the charges MUST be paid back. There are NO charges allowed for students in grades 6 and above. Students and/or parents/guardians are encouraged to pay in advance for meal purchases.  Deposits in any amount may be made to a student's personal account, thus reducing the chance that lunch money will be forgotten, lost, or stolen. While students still have the option of paying as they go through the line, advance payment will speed transactions, allowing lines to move more quickly and affording more time for eating their meals. All students have personal accounts regardless of their meal status (free, reduced or full pay).  A HUNGRY CHILD CANNOT LEARN. Back to top PAYING FOR MEALS All schools use a computerized meal credit system to account for student meals and a la carte sales.  All parents/guardians are encouraged to pay in advance for meal purchases using their student's meal account.  Similar to a bank account, each student has a 6 digit school ID number.  Parents/Guardians and/or students are encouraged to pay for meals by check, thus reducing the chance that lunch money will be forgotten, lost or stolen.  Payments can be made for one week, several weeks or even months in advance.  While students still have the option of paying as they go through the line, advance payment will speed transactions, allowing lines to move more quickly and affording more time for eating their meals. All students have personal accounts regardless of paying status (free, reduced or full pay).  Checks should be made payable to Denver Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services and sent to your student’s school cafeteria or to our office 2320 West 4th Avenue Denver, CO 80223.  The check should have his/her first name, last name and middle initial and the 6 digit student ID number to make sure the money is assigned to the right student. You may also register at MyLunchmoney.com to pay online using a credit card using the MyLunchMoney.com link provided. Back to top PAYING FOR MEALS FAQ’S Can I put a limit on my child’s account? Parents/Guardians can decide if they want their child to use his/her meal account for lunch or a la carte items.  In addition, they can set a dollar amount that the student cannot exceed each day or prevent the purchase of additional items.  To set limits on your student’s account, contact the kitchen manager at your student’s school. How are checks returned with insufficient funds? Denver Public Schools contracts with  Cybrcollect.  They make collections on all returned checks with insufficient funds.  Cybercollect will access a service charge to the parent/guardian in addition to the face value of the check.  Their telephone number is 1-888-340-9205. How will Parents/Guardians know if their meal account is running low? Lunchroom managers have been instructed to notify students when their meal account is low.  A friendly note will be given to the student to take home.  The parent/guardian can also contact the lunchroom manager at the school and request the current balance.  If using our online payment system, an account balance may be obtained. What if my child forgets to bring money? Any student in an grades ECE–5 or grades K-5, who forgets or loses his/her money may charge $5.00.  Prior to this limit being reached, a written notice will be given to the student to notify the parent/guardian.  If payment for charges is not received the next school day, an alternate meal will be served and after that a nutritious snack, but not a full meal will be provided to the student.  In all cases, the charges MUST be paid back. There are NO charges allowed in middle or high schools (grades 6 – 12). Back to top