Food Service FAQ

Q: How does the POS (Point of Sale) system work?
A: Every student has an account that can be accessed at each meal. It allows for regular "Deposits on Account" to be drawn down as students purchase meals or ala carte items from the cafeteria. Parents/Guardians are able to deposit enough money on account to cover as many purchases as desired. Also, the system eliminates the need for the student to carry additional cash to purchase ala carte items. This is a debit (DB) system, so "charging" without available funds on the system is not permitted except as described below.

Student accounts are identified by the student's current district-assigned, five-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). Each student will carry this PIN throughout his/her career (Kindergarten through 12th grade) while enrolled in the Hampton Township School District. As students approach the cashier, they will enter their ID number into a PIN pad located at each cashier's stand. If a student forgets his/her PIN, the cashier will be able to access the account by using the student's name. All students are required to use their ID number with the PIN pad for every transaction. After the student enters his/her PIN, the student account information appears on a touch screen in front of the cashier. Account information includes the student balance and a Photo ID of that student. Any allergy alerts, notes, or restrictions would appear here. "Special Instructions" or "Dietary Restrictions" can be placed on a student account only at the written request of a parent/guardian.

Q: What is the PaySchools Central system?
A: Please visit the PaySchools Central site for further information and educational tutorials.

Q: Can my child choose to pay for meals with cash on a daily basis or intermittent basis throughout the year?
A: Yes; however, the preferred payment is monthly using a deposit envelope.

Q: What if I want to restrict what my child buys on a daily basis?
A: Any parent/guardian may block their child's account from "buying extras" or "buying their friend(s) lunch or extras" by written request. The parent/guardian must be specific in their written request. Once this information is received and entered in our POS system, it will appear on the cashier's screen at checkout. Send requests for account restriction by email to metzfoodservice@ht-sd.org.

Q: How do I put money into my child's account?
A: Food Service Deposit Envelopes are available to students and parents/guardians at each school's main office and/or at the cafeteria register. Deposits of either cash or check (CHECKS PREFERRED) should be placed in a completed deposit envelope with the following information completed:

School Building
Student's ID number
Date
Deposit Amount
Payment Type: Cash or Check Number

Make checks payable to "HTSD Cafeteria Fund"

Q: What if my child doesn't use all of the money in the account?
A: Any remaining money in a student's account at the end of the year will be left in his/her account until the following school year or will be transferred over to the "new" school within the School District. A parent/guardian may also forward a written request for a refund of unused funds by writing to: Mindy Baginski, Metz Food Service Manager, Hampton High School, 2929 McCully Road, Allison Park, PA 15101 or by email at metzfoodservice@ht-sd.org. The accounts of graduating seniors will be reviewed after graduation. Any unused funds greater than $5 will be automatically returned by check during the summer months.

Q: Why does my child have a negative balance, when we pay cash every day? We do not use the POS system.
A: Every student uses the POS system, even if they pay cash. This is how the District tracks meals and ala carte items purchased. A student may have a negative balance because they forgot, misplaced, or lost their money and had to "charge" a meal (putting their account in the negative).

Q: What if my child is approved for free or reduced priced meals?
A: If your child is approved for FREE meals, the computerized system will act as if the student has money in the account and will not ask for money. If your child is approved for reduced priced meals, the computerized system will recognize the reduced meal price and deduct it from the student's account balance. Only one breakfast and one lunch meal per day is allowed using the FREE and REDUCED status. Any additional purchases are at the full price.

Q: Can my elementary school child order an extra component (i.e., dinner roll, vegetable, hot dog, hamburger, chicken sandwich, etc.) for lunch?
A: Yes, by adding it to his/her original lunch order.

Q: What is included in my child's breakfast meal?
A: A breakfast meal includes 4 mandated food components. In order to receive a breakfast at the "Student Breakfast Price" the student's breakfast tray MUST include the following:

One serving of either a fruit or a juice (mandated Item)
One serving of milk

The students MAY select their last 2 components from the following:

Two serving(s) of meat/meat alternate (i.e. eggs, cheese, peanut butter)
Two serving(s) of grains/breads
OR one of each

Examples of a nutritious breakfast selections, following these guidelines:

Cereal with Graham Crackers, milk and a fruit or a juice
Breakfast pizza , milk and a fruit or a juice
French toast, sausage, milk and a fruit or a juice
Breakfast-On-A-Stick, milk and a fruit or a juice

Q: What is included in my child's lunch meal?
A: A lunch meal includes five required food components. Students may choose three, four or five of the required food components for a school lunch. However, in order to receive a school lunch at the "Student Lunch Price" the student's lunch tray MUST include the following:

One serving of a fruit, a juice OR a vegetable

The student MAY select the rest of their lunch components from the daily menu selection.

Examples of a nutritious lunch selections, following these guidelines:

Pepperoni pizza, small side salad and a milk
Breaded chicken patty sandwich, french fries, milk and a juice
Pasta with meat sauce, garlic breadsticks, green beans, pears and a milk