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INFORMATION for Students & Parents ABOUT THE NEW

Food Service Computerized Cash Register System

The Norwood School Food Service Department will be implementing a computerized cash register DEBIT system in the NEW High School Dining Hall.

Why are we changing the current way we pay for meals?

There are many benefits to this system. They are:

• Payment convenience- it will allow prepayments in any amount (such as monthly or yearly) into student & faculty accounts for food purchases. It acts as a debit system to anyone who wishes to use it as such.   Of course, we will continue to accept cash at the register, as usual.
• Anonymity- students who are eligible for free or reduced meals will have their privacy maintained—no tickets or giving your name to the cashier.
• Speed- the more people who pre-pay, the quicker the line will move, allowing students more time to enjoy their lunch.
• Accountability-the system will provide accurate records for accounting purposes. It can also provide detailed reports on your account if you suspect there is a problem.
• Alerts-the system will be able to alert the cashier of any restrictions you may have for your child, such as food allergies, medical conditions or daily purchasing limits.

 How it works:

Students key in PIN #

 Every student will be assigned a card with their own 3,4 or 5 digit PIN #.  As long as you are enrolled in this school, you will have the same #. Please memorize this number.

It is important that you do not share your PIN # with anyone.

During mealtime, students will key in their PIN # on a keypad. The current money balance in the student’s meal account will be displayed confidentially to the cashier at the register terminal. The cashier will confirm the student’s name to protect their account balance. The amount of the purchase will then either be (1) deducted from the account, or (2) paid for at the register, BUT EVERYONE MUST USE PIN# TO MAKE PURCHASES.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.        How do I make prepayments into my account?

You may pre-pay by cash, check (Payable to Norwood Food Service)  at the register, or you may visit mynutrikids.com, for credit card or paypal prepayment.  We encourage you to make prepayments in the morning so that the line at lunch moves quicker.  Checks must have your child(ren)’s first and last name listed in the “memo” section of the check, as well as their school name. If prepayments are in cash, please be sure to put in envelope & label with student name & PIN #, but we strongly encourage prepayments by check, so parents have receipts of their payments, and it cuts down on the risk of lost, stolen or misused money.

Please note that the Town of Norwood may charge a returned check fee of $25.00 for insufficient funds.

2.        Can I pay for more than 1 child with one check?

Yes. If you have siblings attending the high school, you may write one check for both students. Simply indicate how much money you wish to deposit in each child’s account.

3.        What if I forget my PIN #?

The Cashier or Kitchen Manager will be able to get that information for you, just ask. Please do not share your number with anyone! These registers have security features that can alert the cashier of misuse of accounts. Abuse of the system is grounds for disciplinary action.

4.        Can I get refunds from my account?

Unless you are leaving the school permanently, we are unable to give refunds at any time. Any money left in your account at the end of the school year will remain in your account for use in the next school year.

6.        Can I choose my own PIN?

Unfortunately, the system does not have that capability. You will have the same PIN # as long as you attend the High School.

7.    What if I forget my money?

Occasionally, we all forget. We don’t want anyone to go without lunch-hungry students can’t learn. Therefore, we will allow students to owe for (2) lunches if they have forgotten their money or lunch at home. The system will keep a running balance of your account (negative or positive); the cashier will remind the student if they have a negative balance, or if it is getting low. Negative Balance Notices will be sent home if your child owes money. You are responsible for paying back the amount you owe as soon as possible.

8.     Can I prepay for snacks?

Yes. We will assume that your child has your permission to use prepayments for snacks, unless the parent or guardian restricts this feature. 

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions that you may have about this system.

Jane McLucas, Food Service Director    jmclucas@norwood.k12.ma.us          781-440-5827

August 3, 2011

 Dear Parents:                                                               

The Food Service Department of the Norwood Public Schools is excited to provide parents of students at Norwood High a convenient, easy and secure online prepayment service to deposit money into your child’s school meal account at any time.  This service also provides parents the ability to view your child’s account balance through a web site called MyNutrikids.com.  By having money in each child’s account prior to entering the cafeteria, we find the lunch lines move along much faster so your child has more time to eat and be with friends.  

Also, parents will have the ability to print out a copy of their child’s eating history report.  This history report will show you all dates and times that your child has purchased a breakfast and or lunch within the past thirty days.  

These new services will be available September 6, 2011.

 To access these services:

1. Click on the MyNutrikids.com link below.  From this site you will create your account and add money to your child’s school meal account.  All you need is your child’s name, student ID number and school ZIP code.  The instructions listed on the back of this page will guide you through the easy online account set up process.   

Things to know:

• If you have more than one child in the District you can handle all online prepayments from the same online account. 
• Payments may be made through an existing PayPal account or with a major credit or debit card.
• In order to use the online prepayment service, a small convenience fee for each transaction will be assessed to cover the bank fees.  The convenience fee is $1.75 per deposit transaction.  Parents placing money into multiple meal accounts will only be assessed the $1.75 fee once per deposit transaction.  Norwood Public Schools will not profit from the use of this site. 

 We are very excited to offer these new on-line services.  However, if you choose not to take advantage of the online prepayment service you may continue to make advance payments via check, which should be made payable to the Norwood Food Services.  Please write your child’s full name on the check. 

 If you have any questions about these new services, please feel free to contact my office at 781-440-5827 or at jmclucas@norwood.k12.ma.us 

 Best Regards,

 Jane McLucas

Food Service Director

Registering for MyNutrikids.com 

-          You will first need your child’s student ID number; you may get this number by contacting your child’s school or contacting my office.

-          Go to the district website at http://www.norwood.k12.ma.us/subsite/dist/page/-fs-food-services-1057 then click on the link to MyNutrikids.com below OR go to www.MyNutrikids.com.

-          Click Sign Up and enter the required information.

-          Click Finish to complete the initial registration process.

Add Students to Your Family Account

-          When you log in you will be taken to the homepage.

-          Click MyKids from the main menu OR from the blue navigation bar above.

-          This is a listing of the students in your account.  It will be empty on your first visit to the site.

-          Click Add Child and enter the required information.

-          Click Add (next to your child’s name) to continue.

-          Click Add Child to repeat the process for additional children.

-          NOTE:  Your child’s transaction history report will not display information during the initial account set up process.

How to Make a Deposit

-          Click Deposit Money located next to Add Student.

-          Enter an amount in the Deposit column next to your child’s name.

• If you have more than one child, enter the amount you wish to deposit into the column next to each child’s name. DO NOT deposit money for your entire family into ONE child’s account.

-          Click Calculate.

-          Click Make Deposit.

-          You will be directed to the PayPal web site to enter your payment information.

• You have the option to use your existing PayPal account or a major credit card to make your payment.
• If you are using your PayPal account, enter your email address and PayPal password to continue.
• If you are using a credit card, enter the required information. For your protection, MyNutrikids.com will not store your financial information.

-          Click Pay Now when finished.

-          Click Pay once again to finish the process.

Click here to make online prepayments.