Meal Charge Policy - Updated October 10, 2023
Although it is the primary responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide their child a lunch,
whether it is brought from home or funds to purchase one, Cedar Springs Public Schools will
not refuse a student from receiving a lunch due to lack of funds. It is the household’s
responsibility to ensure individual food service meal accounts have sufficient funds. A
positive account balance is expected to be maintained. Charging into the negative is
considered temporary, and a privilege offered to households who might lose track of their
account balance.
Effective July 1, 2022, students will only be permitted to charge $15.00 worth of meals, this
includes breakfast and lunch. When a negative $15.00 balance occurs, the student will
receive a no charge meal. This means that students will not be permitted to purchase the
menued meal until the balance is paid in full. In the event a student receives a no charge
meal, the Food Service Department will inform the household. There will be no charging of
any meals at the High School or at the Middle School after May 15.
Courtesy e-mails and deposit requests will be sent weekly to alert parents when meal
balances fall below $5.00 and again when the balances fall into the negative. Parents can help
us by updating their e-mail information in Power School. Elementary students who have
accumulated negative balances are sent home with a balance letter on Tuesdays. The Food
Service Department will not have direct communications with students about negative
balances unless attempts to contact the student’s parent or guardian through phone, mail, or
email is unsuccessful. Negative balances will not be discussed in the presence of other
students.
Students who cannot pay for a meal or who owe a negative balance will never:
- be required to wear a wristband or hand stamp,
- be required to perform chores or other work for the school, or
- be forced to dispose of a meal after it has been served
Households may use the Family Portal to:
- View account balances
- View meal history
- Make payments
- Add funds to your student(s) account
Parents will need the students ID number to create an account. The ID number may be
obtained from the school office or by calling the Food Service Department. Households may
also call or email the Food Service Department to inquire on a balance.
Payments are also accepted at each building with cash or check in the office, cafeteria, or
child’s classroom.
Free and reduced meal applications are accepted starting July 1, for the 2023-2024 school
year. Online applications may be submitted via the Family Portal. Paper applications are
available anytime by calling the Food Service Department or they will be available at the
open houses at the end of August.
Please help our department and your student by keeping track of their account. If you have
any questions please contact Holly Haywood, Food Service Director, at 616-696-0372
or holly.haywood@csredhawks.org.
