MCPS breakfast free for all students?
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Anonymous
| I can't find the information online but heard that all children eat breakfast for free at elementary schools. Is this true? Do I need to send my child any money for breakfast? |
Anonymous
| I would look into the quality of breakfast before getting too excited... |
Anonymous
| Not at all elementary schools. Many Title I schools have a universal breakfast program, where students eat breakfast in the classroom, but it's not at all of the schools. I don't know if this is just for Title I, or if others have it too. The breakfast is pretty crummy, though. I'd probably have them chug a yogurt at the bus stop. |
Anonymous
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Seems to cost $1.30 unless you qualify for free meals.
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/foodserv/menus/pdf/eng_elem_augsept.pdf |
Anonymous
Yup it cost unless you are FARMS even at a Title I school |
Anonymous
Well, looks like the snobs are up early. |
Anonymous
|
My son had free breakfast in his room last year - Title I (and an extremely high FARMS rate) and K class. Not sure if that makes a difference. Also free milk at lunch, whether they qualified for free lunch or not.
New school this year and breakfast is not universally free. I think I read somewhere that the free-for-all breakfast was an experiment of some sort? |
Anonymous
Starting K this year, High FARMS and Title I school. Forms say we have to pay for Breakfast as we don't qualify for FARMS but who knows.... I'll ask when DD gets home. |
Anonymous
| My daughter has breakfast served in her kindergarten class. It depends on the school. |
Anonymous
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My child's school cafeteria (in MCPS) does not take money, but more like a "debit card" that needs a PIN. You can add to the value of the card online (with small service charge) - or send in a check to the school office (no service charge).
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Anonymous
| Forty elementary schools in MoCo have free breakfast for everyone this year - the schools had to apply for it and had to have an overall FARMS rate over a certain percentage to be able to apply (can't remember what it was - maybe 40 percent?) |
Anonymous
Yes, the debit cards are the new way to go. Keep in mind, however, that schools will not deny kids food. So if the card is holding $2 and a kid buys something that's over $2, you will receive a bill. My friend's daughter was buying breakfast for her friend, too! very funny story But it pays to keep track and to explain to your child how that works. If a kid is on free and reduced meals (FARMs), then s/he will either pay at a discounted rate or receive free meals. If the school is the exception, 99% FARMs, for example, I doubt the 1% will have to pay. |
Anonymous
| My school will not let you buy something you don't have money for. They will provide a cheese sandwich and milk to a hungry child but that is it. My kids hate the school meals so that same $10 I sent in in K may last though 12th grade. |
Anonymous
| I was unaware of the free breakfast. It is not offered at my MCPS school - unless you qualify. Those who use the before care can buy a breakfast at the cafeteria. We use lunchmoney.com where we put money into an account and the kids use their "number" to by food (no card, each student is assigned a PIN). I am fortunate that I can feed my kids a breakfast at home before they go to school each morning. |
Anonymous
| OP here, I did not realize that this varied school by school. My child's school does provide free breakfast to all students. I had no idea what FARMS meant at all either. This school stuff is so new to me. Another question, is cereal an option there? I see the breakfast menu online but not sure if cereal is an option there on the menu. Does anyone know? I am fully aware that I can call the school to ask, but I feel like a pest already. |