FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

The meals we serve are required to provide 1/3 of the recommended daily allowance of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories.  Following the nutritional guidelines outlined above ensures the balance of the five meal components (grains, milk, meat/meat alternate, fruit, vegetables) and is federally monitored as part of the National School Lunch Program.  In fact, the items your student eats in their cafeteria may look like the items that are at your grocery store, but they are specially made to be whole grain, low fat, reduced sugar, and in more appropriate portions in order to meet federal meal nutrition guidelines.  Our District Dietitian carefully plans all menus so that student receive a balanced and delicious meal!

Every day students are offered options for all five components of their lunch, which includes milk, protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains.  While the most nutritious lunch contains all of the options, we understand that sometimes our students do not like some of the items we serve.  To make our customers happy, we like to give them the option to decline items they do not want to eat.  In order to be in compliance with Offer vs. Serve standards set by the USDA, students are required to take at least three components for their meal; one of these must be at least 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetable.

Breakfast and lunch are FREE for all students enrolled at SWISD.  If a student would like to buy a snack or an extra portion, they will be charged at the individual, a la carte prices.  Students must have money in their accounts or another form of payment (cash, check) in order to purchase additional items.  Charging these items to their account is not allowed.

There are 3 options:

 

1.  Online:  Payments for a la carte and extra food purchases can be made online at www.myschoolbucks.com.  A nominal processing fee may apply.  Please have your student's ID number available to ensure that the money is applied to the correct account.

 

2.  By Check:  Make checks payable to the school cafeteria your child attends (example:  SW Elementary Cafeteria) and bring or send your check to the cafeteria.  Be sure to include your student's name and ID number on the check to ensure the money is entered into the correct account.

 

3.  Cash:  Cash can be brought to your student's campus cafeteria for deposit into their account.  Students may also pay for a la carte or extra food items with cash on a daily basis.

A refund can be requested at the school if the cafeteria has enough money for the amount of the refund.  If the cafeteria does not have enough money, a refund can always be requested at the Child Nutrition Office by calling (210) 622-4380.

Yes!  The school kitchens are required to be inspected twice each school year.  The latest inspection results are posted in each kitchen and with the health department.  

Special diets are created for students who have a severe food intolerance or allergy to a particular food item (e.g. soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish).  A special diet may also be considered for students requiring altered textures to food such as pureed or finely chopped.  If a student has a food intolerance or allergy and needs a customized menu in order to avoid certain food items, please have your child's doctor fill out the Special Dietary Needs form.  Once this form is completed by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner, please send the form to your child's school nurse and the nurse will forward it to the District Dietitian.  Students requiring modifications to their diets must have a medical provider's note on file with the District Dietitian stating what the diet modification or allergy is.

 

Additionally, supplemental nutrition items (such as Pediasure) may be provided to students.  However, this must be requested by the student's medical doctor.  The Child Nutrition Department will provide liquid supplementation up to twice per day but this must be specified by the child's doctor.  Please turn in the Special Dietary Needs form to the school nurse and District Dietitian.

 

We are unable to provide alternate meal accommodations for non-medical reasons.