My School Bucks - Q & A
There have been many questions regarding going cashless in the cafeterias at Newark CSD. To clarify we want families to know the first breakfast and lunch are still free, every day for every student. When we say cashless, it is for additional meals and items. We hope by providing families with this information there is a better understanding of the fees and processes associated with My School Bucks. Here are some commonly asked questions:
Q: How can I create a My School Bucks account?
A: Login to myschoolbucks.com or go to the My School Bucks link on the Food Service Department page on our website. Click on Sign Up for Free and follow the prompts to create an account. MySchoolBucks - Log In
Q: What is the process for families to use My School Bucks?
A: All students will still receive one free breakfast and one free lunch daily. The platform is the same whether students are purchasing additional meals or a-la-carte items. The student will enter their pin number into the system to record their purchase. Pin entries are not required for free items.
Q: What are the fees associated with this platform? Will fees be charged per transaction or per child?
A: The fee associated with this platform includes a $3.75 per debit or credit card transaction. A transaction is money deposited into one student account at a time. If you have multiple children, a transaction fee will be charged per student.
Q: Is there a way to avoid these fees?
A: Yes. A check made out to Newark Central School District, or cash, may be sent to the school cafeteria with a note stating the amount and the child’s name. The cash or check will be added into the students’ account without any charges. If using cash, exact amounts need to be provided by families as we will not be able to make change. Example: If your student brings in a twenty-dollar bill, the entire amount will be put on the student’s account
Q: What are the advantages of using the cashless system?
A: Some of the major reasons for using the cashless system are:
Carrying cash can be unsafe for students and stressful for parents.
The cashless system allows payments anytime, anywhere through the app.
There is an audit trail to prevent fraud and track the purchases made for both the school and families.
Make staff available for cafeteria and student needs.
Staff who once handled cash are exposed to fewer security risks, improving workplace safety.
The money (purchases) will tie to the point-of-sale software increasing staff efficiency and productivity.
Going cashless keeps the school in line with consumer expectations and technological trends as well as allowing parents to see payment status, receipts and financial summaries.
Q: Where do the fees for the cashless system go?
A: The charges cover the cost associated with using this service. The district does not receive any of the fees.
Q: What are the costs for snacks/lunches?
A: The district offers one free breakfast and lunch per student per day when school is in session. Additional meals or a-la-carte items are as follows:
Snacks- i.e. cookies, drinks, ice cream, chips range from $0.50 to $1.50. The system will show the item, cost and quantity purchased so parents can see what their children have purchased.
Breakfast- While the first breakfast is free, a second breakfast would cost $2.56.
Lunch- While the first lunch is free, a second lunch would cost $4.65.
The two free daily meals students at NCSD receive are valued at $7.21 per day.
Q: Where can questions be directed?
A: Foodservicedirector@newarkcsd.org