School Services

Let’s Rethink Lunch: A Pilot Program of HCPSS - Learn more about the pilot program

School Menus

HCPSS students and their families can now view menus and nutrition and allergen information for meals served in all HCPSS schools through Nutrislice, a website and free smartphone app.

This upgrade to school menus benefits school health professionals and parents who can easily access nutritional information and make informed choices for their child’s nutrition.

Download the Nutrislice mobile app for iOS or Android.

Payment

The Howard County Public School System recently transitioned to a new online meal payment system, MySchoolBucks.com. This website allows families to easily manage student accounts and make payments online on personal computers and mobile devices.

Prices

Elementary Student Breakfast

• $2.00 – Breakfast
• $0.30 – Reduced Price Breakfast (Apply for Reduced Price Meals)

Elementary Student Lunch

• $2.75 – Elementary School Lunch
• $0.40 – Reduced Price Lunch (Apply for Reduced Price Meals)
• $0.50 – Milk (1/2 pint)

Meals purchased without a PIN incur an additional charge – $0.30 for breakfast and $0.60 for lunch. View prices for adult meals.

Nutrition

For more information on the HCPSS wellness policy, and information on nutrition and allergens, please visit the Food Services site.

Ask for the Health Room when calling 410-880-5920.
    
Health Room Staff

• Wendy Johnson- School Health Assistant
• Certified as Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Certified Medication Technician (CMT)
• Certified in CPR &First Aid
• Dee Goldstien - Cluster Nurse

When to Contact the Health Room

Remember to contact HEALTH ROOM staff, preferably with a note. Notices are kept confidential and shared with those that need to know.

• If your child was diagnosed with communicable disease such as influenza, strep throat, fifth disease, etc.
• If student needs to come to school with crutches, splint, cast and/or has physical activity restrictions.
• If your child has a medical condition that requires medicine or treatment during school hours.
• When your child is ill and absent 3 or more days and typically there should be a note from your health care provider if your child is out of school this long.
• If you treated your child because of head lice.

We will call for details or clarification. 

If your Child is Absent

When your child returns to school, send in a note to excuse your child's absence. Please make sure it is signed and dated.  

Content of Health Records kept for each child:

• Immunizations - complete and current forage.  5 yr olds will need their 2ndMMR within 20 days of that birthday. Always keep a copy of your child’s immunization records safe in a home file.
• Lead certificate signed by parent or doctordepending upon zip code (only PK, Kdg, Gr 1)
• One Physical exam (same as well-child check-up)This exam should be with a Maryland Health Care Provider and can be 9 months prior or up to 6 months after entering the school system.
• Documentation of dental care
• Hearing and vision screening (one time completedby the Howard County Health Dept)

Records are kept confidential and follow your child throughout their attendance in Howard County Schools.

School Wellness

• Get a goodnight’s sleep.  Children (yes, this includes up to 5th graders) should get at least 10-11 hours sleep per night.
• Eat a nutritious breakfast to start the day.
• Eat a wide variety of foods, remember children cultivate a like or dislike for certain fruits or vegetables based on family experience and the age at which they are exposed to the vegetable.
• Children should stay active and get at least 60 minutes of physical activity outside of school hours.
• Learn to drink water instead of drinking juice, flavored waters, or sodas.
• Wear helmets or other protective gear suitable for the activity.

KEEP THE SCHOOL UP TO DATE IF PHONE NUMBERS CHANGE. If there were to be an emergency and we had to notify you to pick your child up in 15 minutes– would you be able to do that?

If not –

• Ask a nearby relative OR
• Get to know a neighbor or adult at the bus stop who could watch your child for however long it takes you to come from your job to the school.  Exchange phone numbers and keep them up to date!!!
• Offer to be back up contact for someone new who has moved into your neighborhood.  

Wellness Center