HPISD Makes a Few Changes With the Skyward Family Access Thing
E-mails went out to HPISD high school and middle school parents last week announcing a change in the procedure for cash lunch payments.
To MIS/HPMS parents:
As you may know, the MIS/HPMS cafeteria has gone to a point-of-sale system. For several years, parents have requested the ability to make online deposits to their students’ lunch accounts, and the new system allows you to do so. Students may also pay with cash.
The MIS/HPMS cafeteria committee is purchasing a system that will allow students to scan their ID cards and move through the line more quickly (much like a “toll tag” lane!). Students will receive their new ID card from their language arts teacher on Tuesday of next week. ID cards distributed last year will work as well. We expect the scanners to be received and in place within one to two weeks.Parents can view their students’ account balance and cafeteria purchases using their Skyward account. Students who are paying with cash and don’t have an ID card with them may state, “No ID” at the register or have the cashier enter their ID number.Please note that all student information is kept confidential by both HPISD and Skyward, which supports the student management system.On behalf of the MIS & HPMS PTA and administration, we appreciate your patience with the changes in the cafeteria. The partnership with the PTA allows the cafeteria to run smoothly, and we thank our tireless volunteers for the extra hours they have put into learning the new system.
As you may know, the HPHS cafeteria has gone to a point-of-sale system. For several years, parents have requested the ability to make online deposits to their students’ lunch accounts, and the new system allows them to do so. Students may also pay with cash.
After hearing feedback from parents and students, we are making an adjustment regarding cash payments. Students will no longer be required to provide their personal ID number when paying with cash; students who wish to purchase with cash without using their ID number will be able to enter a generic ID number that will be posted on the key pad at the register.
Please note that all student information is kept confidential by both HPISD and Skyward, which supports the student management system.
Does anyone know how we will know when the balance gets low? Will there be an email notice, will the child be notified…or do we need to periodically log in and check?My high schooler doesn’t like it because he doesn’t get to pocket un-used lunch money!!
The best part of the new lunch system is that my daughter is taking her lunch from home almost every day… (cheaper and healthier!)
The first few chaotic days started it – she likes having some downtime/ HW time during lunch and standing in the lines took too long, but its been easy to continue! 🙂
Mine is too!
HP sorely needs some good IT guys… this transition has been pitiful at best! With all the talent in the room, you’d think they could handle a rollout of new software without the drama. It was pointed out to me that in a real business you would “train” your employees on the new system far in advance and in great detail. We depend so much on volunteer labor – don’t think Skywatch was designed around the volunteer.
pcmom: you don’t have to deposit money into your highschoolers account. He can surely pay with cash and manage his money. No one is making you use the online deposit system. We give our kids enough money for a month of lunches at one time and they are to manage it themselves. If they choose to save that money, they can make their own lunch at home to take. To each their own.
hpmom: I agree with you. This software rollout, really should have been all set by the time school started or it could have waited until next year.
Sorry hpmom! I meant that for boymom!
Hey girlmom…thanks!
(ps did you find a hilites date yet for my boys?)
boymom…..no sorry, no dates found for your cute boys!