Alpena Public Schools’ parents can now closely monitor the eating habits of their children when they’re not at home.
Another component of the district’s new $53,000 food service software package went “live” Friday. It allows parents to see exactly what their kids eat for lunch, how much they spent and how much money is left in their account.
Within the next 6 months or so, parents will be able to go online and deposit money into their child’s account using a debit or credit card.
The new service can be found under the “PARENTS” tab on the APS website. Click on “food service” and follow the directions.
The new point of sale food service equipment was installed prior to the start of the new school year. It includes new registers, touch screen monitors and up to date support. The new system replaced one that was about 14 years-old and lacked customer support. It also moves kids through the lunch line more quickly.
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November 11, 2009
7:53 a.m.Report inappropriate content
i signed up and followed the inst. yesterday, and am still waiting for 'approval' via email. so, its a little slow to work. must still be some bugs to work out.
November 11, 2009
8:28 a.m.Report inappropriate content
dont get me wrong...i love the idea. cant wait for all the bugs to be worked out so i can see why my kid's acct ran thru $45 in 2 wks. when i ask him 'what'd u have for lunch?" he always says 'not much, bosco sticks, bottled water'
ive since started giving him cash each day so he can only spend $3/day rather than the 6-8 he was charging.
November 11, 2009
8:48 a.m.Report inappropriate content
What a great improvement to ensure that between parents and kids they make the right choices eating. Childhood obesity and diabetes are running rampant....thanks to APS Technology Department and foodservice!!!
November 11, 2009
9:41 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Where is the $53,000 coming from?
November 11, 2009
11:34 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I got the e-mail yesterday and it works pretty good. Junior High is pretty detailed on what they eat and buy. (Including all the "extras" they buy). Elementary level only says "El. Lunch", so I really didnt know what they ate there. It's a pretty cool system though.
November 11, 2009
11:07 p.m.Report inappropriate content
My daughter informed me that all they have to do is go through the lunch line and give their student ID number verbally! We found out that a so called friend was going through the line and using my daughters ID number and eating lunch on us!!! I would say there are a few bugs to still be worked out!
November 12, 2009
7:46 a.m.Report inappropriate content
woodie352...
thats what i believe is happening with my sons acct as well. im still waiting for my email approval. day 3. how long did it take to get yours?
November 12, 2009
11:22 p.m.Report inappropriate content
3 DAYS as well,Kristine81595, i was told the lunch lady has no way to control the numbers the kids are giving her, my comment was that, how come my daughter ate lunch twice one day and then for 3 days she was sick, we were charged for meals when she was not even in school, why dont they have to show their student ID card.......reply was were talking about 7th and 8th graders here that cant keep track of assignments and you want them to carry around their student ID card and show it for lunch???? When i went to school, we had to pay cash for our lunch or you just did not eat! YOu learned real quick to make sure you had your cash on hand or you borrowed it from a friend. I think if these students were told either they have the id card or no lunch, ill bet they would not forget it 2 days in a row! Funny how i have paid by check to keep track of what we are spending and when i send a check each week and get a letter in the mail stating we are 7.50 behind makes me a litte upset! My daughter is now using CASH only!!!!!
November 13, 2009
8:40 a.m.Report inappropriate content
i agree...ID cards should be carried by the students at all times and shown or scanned to be able to charge lunch.
i got my password yesterday afternoon. i looked this morning at my son's acct and there are still charges on there. ive been giving him cash everyday since the 11/4.
think im gonna call and have them put a "no charging" note on his acct.
theres no reason he should need more than $3/day--he could eat McDonalds for that, so he should be able to find something in the lunchline. i hate the fact that they charge $1.25 for water when u can buy a case of it for $3-$4 at walmart -- that's more than a $25 profit just on water, and they probly get a better deal than we would.
srry, just venting