Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS Keryn Miles, Communications Specialist keryn.miles@fortbendisd.com    281.634.1100

**  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  **

FBISD Sets Registration for Free & Reduced Price Meal Program

FORT BEND ISD ― Children need healthy meals to be able to focus on learning, and Fort Bend ISD offers children healthy meals each school day. Children may buy lunch for $1.75 (elementary), $2.00 (secondary) and breakfast for $1.25. Children who qualify for the free or reduced price meal program may buy lunch for 40¢ and breakfast for only 30¢.

To receive free or reduced priced meals during the 2010-2011 school year, your child or children must have a new application on file in the Child Nutrition Department. The children may then qualify for other district benefits.  It is important that all students in the same household be listed on the application even though they may choose not to participate in the program. (The State of Texas provides compensatory education funding to school districts based on the number of students approved for free and reduced meals. Therefore, every student must be counted in order to receive maximum funding for the district.)

Prepayments on Accounts

As a convenience to parents, FBISD’s Child Nutrition Department will also continue use of the Point Of Sale computer system in all District school cafeterias during the 2010-2011 school year. The system allows the Child Nutrition Department to simplify and maintain more accurate records of meals served to students and District employees. It also assists in maintaining records on nutrient analysis of meals planned and prepared, food purchases, inventory, labor hours, and bidding practices.

Additionally, the Point Of Sale computer system allows every student and District employee to have a Personal Account Identification Number (Lunch ID Number). Money can be placed on the account and, as meals or A La Carte items are purchased, the system will debit the account. No cash transactions will be necessary as long as there is money in the account. Regardless of meal status, all students, Paid, Reduced-Priced or Free will have a Personal Account Identification Number that will be activated at their campus.

“Our challenge is to introduce Fort Bend ISD Child Nutrition employees, students, employees, parents and community to our world of food service technology,” said Gail Stotler, Director of Child Nutrition. “Even the younger students can learn the system given the opportunity and encouragement to do so.”

As a convenience to parents, each campus Cafeteria Manager will be available to accept prepayments to individual accounts beginning Tuesday, August 17; Thursday, August 19; and Friday August 20 from 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Students may also use this opportunity to visit with the Cafeteria Manager and verify their Personal Account Identification Number. New students should meet with their school’s registrar to obtain their Personal Account Identification Number. Students’ PIN will also be included on their printed student locator card or class schedule and will remain as their own personal number throughout their stay in FBISD.

To learn more about FBISD’s Free and Reduced Price Meals Program, visit our website at: http://www.fortbend.k12.tx.us/childnutritiondept/ or call the Child Nutrition Department at 281-634-1855.

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