Does Barbers Hill ISD participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP)?
Yes, Barbers Hill ISD participates in the NSLP and SBP at five campuses – Intermediate North and South, Elementary North and South and Early Childhood Center. Our secondary schools (High School and Middle North and South) do not participate in either program.
How does a child qualify for free and reduced-price meals?
Eligibility is based on family income and family size. Families with students at the NSLP campuses listed above may also qualify through Direct Certification. The state agency will notify BHISD of students enrolled at NSLP campuses who qualify for free or reduce-priced meals based on participation in the following programs: Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Direct certification benefits are updated on a monthly basis.
How long does the free or reduced-price eligibility last?
Eligibility lasts the entire school year the application was processed in and carries over for the first 30 school days of the new school year. Once a new application for the new school year is processed, the carryover days stop and the new approved benefits will begin.
Do you have to submit a new application every year?
Yes. Students who participated in the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program in BHISD during the previous school year will continue to receive the same benefits for the first thirty (30) school days of the new school year or until a new application has been processed. After the first thirty (30) school days, if a new application has not been received and processed, the student will return to full-pay status. Parents/guardians may apply online at www.schoolcafe.com/BARBERSHILLISD.
Will families get reimbursed for charged meals when a student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals?
No. The family is responsible for any charges made before meal benefits are approved.
Why do adult/visitor meals cost more than student meals?
We do not receive any government reimbursement for adult meals, so we are required to charge higher prices for their meals. Federal regulation prohibits us from giving free lunches to adults or utilizing program funds for the purpose of subsidizing adult meals.
Is the school district required to meet any nutritional guidelines?
The federal government requires that meals served at our NSLP campuses meet specific guidelines regarding portion size, food choices, and nutrient content (calories, sodium, fat, etc.). This does not apply to our secondary schools since they do not participate in the NSLP or SBP.
What items does a school breakfast meal consist of?
- Elementary/Intermediate Breakfast Meals – A school breakfast is made up of three components: grain, fruit and milk. In order to be considered a complete meal, the student must select 2-3 components and one of those items MUST be a fruit. Please note: If a student selects less than the required number of components to make a complete meal, the student will be charged a-la-carte prices.
- Middle School/High School Breakfast Meals - The breakfast “Meal Deal” consists of an entrée, two sides, and a choice of beverage (milk or water). In order to be considered a complete meal, the student must select 3-4 components. Please note: If a student selects less than the required number of components to make a complete meal, the student will be charged a-la-carte prices.
What does a school lunch meal consist of?
- Elementary/Intermediate Lunch Meals – A school lunch is made up of five components: meat/meat alternate, grain, fruit, vegetable, and milk. Menu items are made up of one or more components. Students must select 3-5 components to have a complete meal and one of these items MUST be a fruit or vegetable. Please note: If a student selects less than the required number of components to make a complete meal, the student will be charged a-la-carte prices.
- Middle School/High School Lunch Meals - The lunch “Meal Deal” consists an entrée, two sides, and a choice of beverage (milk or water). In order to be considered a complete meal, the student must select 3-4 components. Please note: If a student selects less than the required number of components to make a complete meal, the student will be charged a-la-carte prices.
Who determines what food goes on my child's tray?
By federal law, school personnel must allow the child to choose what he/she wants to eat from the selections available except for PK students. PK students are provided a “pre-plated” meal.
What is a reimbursable meal?
A complete breakfast or lunch meal. The government reimburses the school nutrition program for each complete meal that is served. In Barbers Hill, we only receive reimbursements for complete meals served at our elementary and intermediate campuses.
Who determines what food choices will be available on the daily menu?
The reimbursable menus at the elementary and intermediate campuses are planned to meet the federal nutrition guidelines, while considering the preferences of the students.
How do I receive a refund from my student’s lunch account?
Parents/guardians can complete the online Meal Account Refund form located on the School Nutrition webpage. Online payments can be refunded through RevTrak. All other payments are refunded in the form of check and can take 2-4 weeks to process. Details and instructions are listed on the Meal Account Refund Form.
I am a staff member. Why can’t I use my student’s account to purchase a meal?
In order to accurately count and claim meals, staff must use their own meal account. This will ensure that meals claimed for federal reimbursement are meals served to eligible students. Every staff member has a meal account regardless if the staff member purchases food in the cafeteria. Staff members can make payments to their own account in the cafeteria by cash or check. Online payments can be made using the district’s online payment store, RevTrak (https://barbershill.revtrak.net/).
Why do students have to pay for water?
Drinking water is available to students at no charge in or near the cafeteria. Students are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to refill as needed. Bottled water, however, is available to purchase in all the cafeterias. In grades 7th-12th, the meal deal price includes one small beverage (water or milk). At the elementary and intermediate levels, bottled water is not a substitute for milk in a reimbursable meal and cannot be included as such.
Why do students have to pay for milk?
Milk that is served as a component of a “complete” meal is included in the meal price. If milk is not served as a component of the meal, milk may be purchased separately.
Why is a second meal $5.00?
Similar to adult/visitor meals, we do not receive any government reimbursement for second meals. We can only claim one meal per meal type per eligible student per day. If a second meal is served to a student, we must treat these items as a-la-carte sales.
Why do students have to pay for ketchup?
The federal government requires that meals served in our elementary and intermediate cafeterias meet specific guidelines regarding portion sizes and nutrient content (calories, sodium, fat, etc.). Condiments must be included in the nutrient analysis of our menus. In Barbers Hill, to meet nutritional guidelines at the elementary and intermediate level, ketchup is limited to four (4) packets when it is part of the menu item. It is also included in the meal price when that menu item is part of a complete meal. Ketchup is not sold separately at the elementary or intermediate campuses.
Is there a charge limit?
A student on any campus with insufficient funds to purchase a complete meal, may charge up to a maximum of $20.00 to their meal account. Once the $20.00 limit has been reached, a student will receive a courtesy meal until the meal account has been replenished. Students must have funds in their meal account or cash in hand to purchase a-la-carte items.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
