The Hamilton-Wenham Regional School Lunch Program uses a computerized Point Of Sale (POS) system. Each student will be given a PIN number (which remains the same until graduation) and is used at the lunch-line registers when purchasing lunch. Please call or email the food service office to obtain your child's PIN at 978-468-0306 or e.burns@hwschools.net. If your child forgets or doesn't know their PIN, they only need to ask the staff at the cafe register.
To help increase the efficiency of the lunch lines, we strongly encourage using the "Debit Account" to pay for your child's meals. Payments can be made online at myschoolbucks.com and the monies will automatically be deducted from the account every time the child's PIN number is entered at the register. Payments can also be made by check for weekly or monthly amounts. If the student is absent, the monies remain in the account until used. Any unused balances at the end of the year will automatically be transferred as beginning balances for the next school year. Special arrangements are made for students who do not have a lunch from home, cash or money on account.
FAQs
Can I make payments to multiple children's accounts with one payment?
Yes. You will need to enter a specific payment amount for each child.
Can I receive an email when my child's account balance is low?
Yes. If you use an online account, you can establish an account balance notification threshold for each child. Once the account balance falls below the established amount, you will be notified by myschoolbucks.
Does my child need to use their PIN?
Yes, all children must use their PIN’s each time they come through the lunch line.
What if my child only buys milk? Snack? Infrequent lunches?
We still encourage you to prepay. You can put a small amount on account. You do not need to make the transaction online. Avoid the $2.75 charge by sending a check or cash to the school cafeteria.
What is in place to prevent another child using my child’s PIN?
The PIN numbers are linked to the student's pictures. Each time their PIN number is entered into one of the registers, the student's picture will appear on the screen. The cashier will verify the student matches the picture on the screen. If they don't match, the cashier will not allow the meal to be purchased.
Can I prevent my child from purchasing multiple school meals or ala carte items?
Yes. Please contact the food service director directly if you would like to set limit on your child’s account. Eleni can be reached most effectively by email at e.burns@hwschools.net or by phone 978-468-0398
What happens to the money at the end of the school year?
Funds in your child’s account will roll over to the next school year. If your child is graduating or moving out of the district, arrangements can be made to reimburse you. Contact the food service office.
How long after I make a payment will the money be available in my child/ren’s account?
Online payments are generally processed by PayPal within 24 hours. However, if the payment option selected is an e-check, the processing will take anywhere from 4 to 7 business days. Checks sent to the school will be available as soon as they are given to the cashier.
Can I change my child’s PIN?
Yes, just call the food service office 978-468-0306.
I just moved to the district, how do I sign up?
Your child will be automatically in the system. Contact the food service office 978-468-0306 or e.burns@hwschools.net for all of the information you will need for online payments or other questions.
