LA PLATA, Md. – Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is ending its meal credit extension for parents and students. To help families affected by the federal government shutdown, CCPS increased the amount of meal credits students could use to buy breakfast and lunch. Credits are given only for students who attempt to purchase meals and have no money on their account.
Beginning on Monday, March 4, CCPS will begin to reduce the amount of meal credit extensions as follows:
· Monday, March 4 – limit drops to $50;
· Monday, March 18 – limit drops to $25; and
· Monday, April 1 – standard limits return.
On March 4, any student with a negative balance over the amount of $50 will receive an alternate main entrée. On March 18, students with negative account balances over $25 will receive an alternate main entrée. On Monday, April 1, students with a negative account balance over the standard set for their school level of attendance will receive an alternate main entrée.
The standard meal credit limits are as follows: elementary school students, $25; middle school students, $15; and high school students, $10.
On Jan. 4, CCPS temporarily raised the meal credit limit to support families out of work due to the government shutdown.
Parents are responsible for paying any negative meal account balances for their child, including any meal credits provided. This includes the balances of any meal credits used during the temporary extension.
Credits are given only for students who attempt to purchase meals and have no money on their account. Once a student uses all of the credit, they will receive an alternate main entrée per Superintendent’s Rule 3842. The Rule outlines how the school system manages unpaid meal balances. Payment of the account includes the credit given by the school system.
Parents can deposit money on their child’s account with cash or by check in the school’s cafeteria. Parents can also sign up for My Payments Plus, the online system CCPS offers for parents to add money to their child’s meal account, at https://www2.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome.
Contact the Food and Nutrition Services Department at 301-392-5570 or your child’s principal with questions about alternate meals and unpaid meal balances.