Spring ISD keeps lunch prices unchanged for 2012-13

Breakfast is still free, lunch is still less than $2, and the Spring Independent School District is still aiming to keep school meals varied in the coming year, according to a school district new release.

The school district serves breakfast and lunch daily. Lunch prices are the same as in 2011-12. For elementary school students, lunches are $1.50. For middle and high school students, lunches are $1.75, according to the release.

Elementary school students will have several entrees to choose from at each meal, according to the release, as well as drinks and snacks. Middle and high school students will be able to choose from up to eight entrees, the release states.

A la carte drinks and snacks will also be served, according to the release.

Parents who choose to do so may still pack a lunch for their child, according to the release.

The school district is encouraging parents who wish to apply for free or reduced-price lunches to fill out the application online for faster processing. The district's child nutrition department has scheduled a new-student registration fair for Aug. 11 to help parents with their online application, according to the release.

Parents also will be able to visit www.springisd.org/mealapps beginning Aug. 20 for online application registration and are asked to include all affected children on a single application. Until applications are processed, parents will need to give their children money to purchase school meals at the full price.

Eligibility for free or reduced-price lunches is based on federal guidelines related to income and  household sizes, according to the release. Because all students have lunch accounts that are tracked with personal identification numbers, lunch transactions -- whether free, reduced-price or full price -- are confidential.

The school district will begin accepting prepayments for lunches online starting Aug. 20, though parents must first register online at www.PayPAMS.com to set up an account. There is no charge for PayPAMS services and payments, according to the release.

Visa, Mastercard and Discover are accepted for online payments, and the minimum payment is $10. Payments are available for use in one to two business days, the release states.

Parents also may schedule automatic payments and may view their child's account balance and payment history using this system, according to the release.  

Meals may still be prepaid by depositing cash into student accounts, the release states.

For more information about the school district's nutrition programs, call 281-891-6445 or visit www.springisd.org/nutrition.