The Dowling Catholic Meal Program is dedicated to offering students nutritious meals. We are proud to offer our services throughout the year to your student(s). Breakfast begins daily at 7:15 a.m. and Lunch is between 11:00 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. Students are always welcome to bring a sack lunch if desired.
Costs: The cost for breakfast is $1.50. The basic lunch or Maroon Meal is $2.50. Second meals will cost $3.00.
The Maroon Meal consists of 5 components:
1) Milk, (fluid as a beverage, as opposed to yogurt or ice cream)
2) Vegetable
3) Fruit
4) Grains/ Bread
5) Meat or Meat Alternative.
In order to qualify a meal as a Maroon Meal and pay the $2.50 per meal cost, a student must select a minimum of 1 serving of each of 3 of the 5 components listed above, or a student may select 4 or all 5 components, 1 serving of each and be charged the same price of $2.50. If your student would like a complete second meal the student would be required to again choose the minimum of 3 of the 5 components to obtain the Second Meal price of $3.00. Otherwise your student may purchase seconds of single items in an ala carte manner. The Cafeteria reserves the right to limit purchases of seconds or thirds on any given day.
The Maroon Meal and its pricing are available across the entire service area so all students may select food from any service area and as long as they have the minimum of 3 and no more than all 5 components, they will be charged $2.50.
The following are examples utilizing the Maroon Meal option.
1) Selecting food through the “Hot Lunch line” and selecting at least 3 components or all items offered. Cost: $2.50.
2) Selecting food through the hot ala carte line: selecting mashed potatoes, the hot sandwich and a milk. (This example is 4 components; potatoes = vegetable, hot sandwich = bread and meat and milk = milk) Cost: $2.50.
3) Selecting cold ala carte food: A turkey sandwich and a bag of carrots (This example is 3 components: bread, meat and vegetable). Cost: $2.50.
4) Selecting a salad with meat and cheese on it and an orange (This example is a vegetable, a meat / a meat alternative (cheese) and a fruit. This is a total of 3 components. Cost $2.50.
5) Selecting mashed potatoes, 2 servings of chicken strips, and a Propel water drink. (This meal only has 2 components: a vegetable = mashed potatoes and a meat serving = 1 serving of chicken strips. The other serving of chicken strips and the Propel are simply extras. All of these items would be priced individually.
6) Selecting pizza and a milk is charged differently. (This meal is cheaper than the regular Maroon Meal and will be charged that way. Cost: $2.10. It is a Pizza Meal. The component’s are crust = bread / grain, meat or cheese = meat / meat alternative and milk = milk. If one or two more items are added like a fruit and a vegetable then the cost will be the regular Maroon meal cost of $2.50)
7) There are 3 types of pizza that are more expensive these would be Power Slice, 5” Round Pizza and French Bread pizza. These 3 will now be a Maroon Meal Priced at $2.85. If the meal is not rounded out with a fruit, milk or vegetable then the more expensive pizza types will be priced individually.
8) Nachos will be a part of the Maroon Meal this year. The chips are a bread/grain component. The cheese sauce, is only half of a meat / meat alternative, so extra meat / meat alternative in the form of string cheese or yogurt or the extra meat / meat alternative can be passed on as long as you pick up 2 or up to 4 other components.
Based on the examples above, try to get your student to look for the meal components and have at least 3 on their tray to reduce the cost of lunch. In example 4 if the student adds milk as a beverage the Cost remains $2.50. If the student adds bottled water the Cost is $3.50, because bottled water is $1.00. If these examples do not make sense, you or your student may call or ask questions at any time. I am more than happy to walk anyone through these examples or through the line to help them understand the components of the Maroon Meal and getting the most nutritional value priced meal.
Adding Money to an account: The Student I.D. card is also your student’s lunch ticket. The bar code is scanned for purchases and amounts are deducted from your student’s account. Money may be added to your account at anytime. Money on the account can only be used in the cafeteria for purchases. Once money is on the card, cash cannot be given to the student. Checks and cash may be turned in through the mail slot in the cafeteria or given to the Food Service Director daily until 10:00 a.m. Payschools is available through the Dowling Catholic web site for credit card purchases. Checks, money or Payschools transactions made by 10:00 a.m. will be available for the student’s use the same day.
Parents may request that money on the meal account only be applied to Breakfast and / or Lunch Credits or to Open Cash or some combination of Credits and Open Cash . If Credits are set up the student is required to purchase the Maroon Meal. If students want something extra then they can either use the Open Cash part of their account or use pocket money to buy extra food items. The account can also be set up to be all Open Cash. If there is no designation on the check or with the cash, all monies will default to Open Cash. If you use Payschools money can be assigned to Breakfast credits, Lunch credits or to Open Cash. If you have questions about this please contact Food Service at 222-1028.
Please add money to your student’s account prior to the first day of school or be sure they have money in their pocket.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THE STUDENT’S FIRST AND LAST NAME AND STUDENT ID NUMBER ARE ON THE CHECK OR ON THE ENVELOPE WITH THE CASH SO THE CORRECT ACCOUNT IS CREDITED.
If desired, specify breakfast and or lunch credits, otherwise all monies are designated as open cash. We have students, that have the same first names and same middle initial, including the student id is very important.
Zero balance: ONCE THE MEAL ACCOUNT IS AT $0.00 THE STUDENT MUST PAY CASH. THE STUDENT I.D. IS NOT A CREDIT CARD. NO NEGATIVE BALANCES ARE ALLOWED!!
Balance information is given to the student once their balance reaches $10.00. The balance is then verbally given with each transaction. Balance information may also be given to a student or a parent at any time with or without a purchase. Balance information may also be obtained via PaySchools. You do not need to add money via PaySchools to see your student’s balance. You must set up an account associating your email address with your student’s name and id number. You may also set up a low balance email notification. You may choose a balance amount that once the account reaches that amount you will receive email notification reminding you to send money or pay money on PaySchools.
Forgotten Card: If a card is forgotten, a one day temporary id may be obtained by seeing the Food Service Director. It is never our intention to have a student go hungry because a card is forgotten. All One Day Passes must be acquired by 10 A.M. of the day you will use the pass.
Borrowing or Loaning Cards: Parents please tell your student that lending out a Student I.D. card is a bad idea. Cashiers will not know that a card is loaned out and it will be perceived as being stolen. If arrangements need to be made to loan a card, they must be made in advance with the Food Service Director and approved by both parties involved. This is also true in the case of siblings. If a card is deemed stolen, the matter is turned over to the Dean of Students.
Damaged, Lost or Stolen Cards: If a card is lost or stolen, please notify the Food Service Director immediately. A stop can be placed on the account so no one can use the account and the money remains secure. Card numbers are changed so the lost card becomes inactive. If a card is lost, a new card may be purchased for $10.00. This money can come directly out of the student’s account or money may be brought in to pay for a replacement. If a card happens to break, and all pieces are turned in, the card is replaced for free. If a card is defaced, with permanent marker or any other manner or cut with scissors and no longer is able to be scanned, the student will have to replace it for the $10.00 fee.
What is my student eating? Currently our software does not have an online application enabling you to monitor what your child is eating. If you would like to know or would like a print out of your student’s account one may be obtained by calling or emailing the Food Service Director, Molly Ryan 222-1028 or mryan@dowlingcatholic.org.
Student Activity Tickets or SAT’s: The Student I.D. card is also the Student Activity Ticket (if purchased) and is so designated on the I.D. card. If a card is lost, the replacement card will include the SAT designation if the original card had an SAT designation. If you have not purchased an SAT and would like to the fee is $50 after July 16, 2010. The money should be deposited with the Food Service Director where the new Student I.D. card will be generated.
Free and Reduced Meal Applications or Eligibility Applications: Attached to this document is the application and information you will need to complete a Free and Reduced Meal Eligibility Application. Only one application per household is necessary. If you need assistance or need the application in another language please contact Molly Ryan, Food Service Director. Applications must be filled out annually. If your student attended Dowling Catholic High School last year and had this benefit, your prior year application and benefit is valid until September 28, 2009. If you are new to DCHS either as a 9th grade student or as a transfer student and you were eligible last year, you need to fill out an application. If your circumstances change at anytime during the school year, you are welcome to fill out an application and see if you qualify for these benefits. If you receive the free and or reduced benefit, you must take advantage of the Maroon Meal as outlined above. The Maroon Meal is the benefit meal. Your student must choose at least 3 and no more than 5 of the components at lunch. All of these were outlined on page 1 of this document. At breakfast there is a sign that outlines the Maroon meal options. You are welcome to put money on your Student’s I.D. card for the times when your student may want to choose something extra or your student may pay cash for any extra items. If you have any questions regarding signing up for the benefit or regarding these benefits and what foods may be chosen, please feel free to ask. Once an application is processed the benefit goes into place immediately. A letter of notification is sent home stating the benefit or declining it with a reason.
Menu information: The menu will be posted on the web site each month. It is also available in the cafeteria in a posted format and is available for students to take home upon request from the Food Service Director. The menu is also part of the daily announcements. Please be reminded it is subject to change without notice.
Food Allergies: Dowling Catholic Food Service may use the following wholesome ingredients, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, tree nuts, dairy products, fish and shellfish. We do our best to post warning labels regarding food allergens. Please advise the school nurse and the Food Service Director of any and all food allergies, and we will work with you and try to make accommodations. A Doctor’s note must be on file with the school nurse or the food service director. Allergy alert signs are posted on foods with peanuts or tree nuts. If you have questions about the food available please ask.
Microwave Oven: A microwave oven for student use with foods brought from home is available. It is assumed all containers brought from home are microwave safe. Simple instructions will be available and Cafeteria staff will be able to assist students as well. Popcorn is prohibited from the microwave at anytime.
If you have any questions regarding any aspect of Food Service at Dowling Catholic High School, please direct them to Molly Ryan, Food Service Director: phone 222-1028 or email: mryan@dowlingcatholic.org.
The Dowling Catholic Meal Program is dedicated to offering students nutritious meals. We are proud to offer our services throughout the year to your student(s). Breakfast begins daily at 7:15 a.m. and Lunch is between 11:00 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. Students are always welcome to bring a sack lunch if desired.
Costs: The cost for breakfast is $1.50. The basic lunch or Maroon Meal is $2.50. Second meals will cost $3.00.
The Maroon Meal consists of 5 components:
1) Milk, (fluid as a beverage, as opposed to yogurt or ice cream)
2) Vegetable
3) Fruit
4) Grains/ Bread
5) Meat or Meat Alternative.
In order to qualify a meal as a Maroon Meal and pay the $2.50 per meal cost, a student must select a minimum of 1 serving of each of 3 of the 5 components listed above, or a student may select 4 or all 5 components, 1 serving of each and be charged the same price of $2.50. If your student would like a complete second meal the student would be required to again choose the minimum of 3 of the 5 components to obtain the Second Meal price of $3.00. Otherwise your student may purchase seconds of single items in an ala carte manner. The Cafeteria reserves the right to limit purchases of seconds or thirds on any given day.
The Maroon Meal and its pricing are available across the entire service area so all students may select food from any service area and as long as they have the minimum of 3 and no more than all 5 components, they will be charged $2.50.
The following are examples utilizing the Maroon Meal option.
1) Selecting food through the “Hot Lunch line” and selecting at least 3 components or all items offered. Cost: $2.50.
2) Selecting food through the hot ala carte line: selecting mashed potatoes, the hot sandwich and a milk. (This example is 4 components; potatoes = vegetable, hot sandwich = bread and meat and milk = milk) Cost: $2.50.
3) Selecting cold ala carte food: A turkey sandwich and a bag of carrots (This example is 3 components: bread, meat and vegetable). Cost: $2.50.
4) Selecting a salad with meat and cheese on it and an orange (This example is a vegetable, a meat / a meat alternative (cheese) and a fruit. This is a total of 3 components. Cost $2.50.
5) Selecting mashed potatoes, 2 servings of chicken strips, and a Propel water drink. (This meal only has 2 components: a vegetable = mashed potatoes and a meat serving = 1 serving of chicken strips. The other serving of chicken strips and the Propel are simply extras. All of these items would be priced individually.
6) Selecting pizza and a milk is charged differently. (This meal is cheaper than the regular Maroon Meal and will be charged that way. Cost: $2.10. It is a Pizza Meal. The component’s are crust = bread / grain, meat or cheese = meat / meat alternative and milk = milk. If one or two more items are added like a fruit and a vegetable then the cost will be the regular Maroon meal cost of $2.50)
7) There are 3 types of pizza that are more expensive these would be Power Slice, 5” Round Pizza and French Bread pizza. These 3 will now be a Maroon Meal Priced at $2.85. If the meal is not rounded out with a fruit, milk or vegetable then the more expensive pizza types will be priced individually.
8) Nachos will be a part of the Maroon Meal this year. The chips are a bread/grain component. The cheese sauce, is only half of a meat / meat alternative, so extra meat / meat alternative in the form of string cheese or yogurt or the extra meat / meat alternative can be passed on as long as you pick up 2 or up to 4 other components.
Based on the examples above, try to get your student to look for the meal components and have at least 3 on their tray to reduce the cost of lunch. In example 4 if the student adds milk as a beverage the Cost remains $2.50. If the student adds bottled water the Cost is $3.50, because bottled water is $1.00. If these examples do not make sense, you or your student may call or ask questions at any time. I am more than happy to walk anyone through these examples or through the line to help them understand the components of the Maroon Meal and getting the most nutritional value priced meal.
Adding Money to an account: The Student I.D. card is also your student’s lunch ticket. The bar code is scanned for purchases and amounts are deducted from your student’s account. Money may be added to your account at anytime. Money on the account can only be used in the cafeteria for purchases. Once money is on the card, cash cannot be given to the student. Checks and cash may be turned in through the mail slot in the cafeteria or given to the Food Service Director daily until 10:00 a.m. Payschools is available through the Dowling Catholic web site for credit card purchases. Checks, money or Payschools transactions made by 10:00 a.m. will be available for the student’s use the same day.
Parents may request that money on the meal account only be applied to Breakfast and / or Lunch Credits or to Open Cash or some combination of Credits and Open Cash . If Credits are set up the student is required to purchase the Maroon Meal. If students want something extra then they can either use the Open Cash part of their account or use pocket money to buy extra food items. The account can also be set up to be all Open Cash. If there is no designation on the check or with the cash, all monies will default to Open Cash. If you use Payschools money can be assigned to Breakfast credits, Lunch credits or to Open Cash. If you have questions about this please contact Food Service at 222-1028.
Please add money to your student’s account prior to the first day of school or be sure they have money in their pocket.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THE STUDENT’S FIRST AND LAST NAME AND STUDENT ID NUMBER ARE ON THE CHECK OR ON THE ENVELOPE WITH THE CASH SO THE CORRECT ACCOUNT IS CREDITED.
If desired, specify breakfast and or lunch credits, otherwise all monies are designated as open cash. We have students, that have the same first names and same middle initial, including the student id is very important.
Zero balance: ONCE THE MEAL ACCOUNT IS AT $0.00 THE STUDENT MUST PAY CASH. THE STUDENT I.D. IS NOT A CREDIT CARD. NO NEGATIVE BALANCES ARE ALLOWED!!
Balance information is given to the student once their balance reaches $10.00. The balance is then verbally given with each transaction. Balance information may also be given to a student or a parent at any time with or without a purchase. Balance information may also be obtained via PaySchools. You do not need to add money via PaySchools to see your student’s balance. You must set up an account associating your email address with your student’s name and id number. You may also set up a low balance email notification. You may choose a balance amount that once the account reaches that amount you will receive email notification reminding you to send money or pay money on PaySchools.
Forgotten Card: If a card is forgotten, a one day temporary id may be obtained by seeing the Food Service Director. It is never our intention to have a student go hungry because a card is forgotten. All One Day Passes must be acquired by 10 A.M. of the day you will use the pass.
Borrowing or Loaning Cards: Parents please tell your student that lending out a Student I.D. card is a bad idea. Cashiers will not know that a card is loaned out and it will be perceived as being stolen. If arrangements need to be made to loan a card, they must be made in advance with the Food Service Director and approved by both parties involved. This is also true in the case of siblings. If a card is deemed stolen, the matter is turned over to the Dean of Students.
Damaged, Lost or Stolen Cards: If a card is lost or stolen, please notify the Food Service Director immediately. A stop can be placed on the account so no one can use the account and the money remains secure. Card numbers are changed so the lost card becomes inactive. If a card is lost, a new card may be purchased for $10.00. This money can come directly out of the student’s account or money may be brought in to pay for a replacement. If a card happens to break, and all pieces are turned in, the card is replaced for free. If a card is defaced, with permanent marker or any other manner or cut with scissors and no longer is able to be scanned, the student will have to replace it for the $10.00 fee.
What is my student eating? Currently our software does not have an online application enabling you to monitor what your child is eating. If you would like to know or would like a print out of your student’s account one may be obtained by calling or emailing the Food Service Director, Molly Ryan 222-1028 or mryan@dowlingcatholic.org.
Student Activity Tickets or SAT’s: The Student I.D. card is also the Student Activity Ticket (if purchased) and is so designated on the I.D. card. If a card is lost, the replacement card will include the SAT designation if the original card had an SAT designation. If you have not purchased an SAT and would like to the fee is $50 after July 16, 2010. The money should be deposited with the Food Service Director where the new Student I.D. card will be generated.
Free and Reduced Meal Applications or Eligibility Applications: Attached to this document is the application and information you will need to complete a Free and Reduced Meal Eligibility Application. Only one application per household is necessary. If you need assistance or need the application in another language please contact Molly Ryan, Food Service Director. Applications must be filled out annually. If your student attended Dowling Catholic High School last year and had this benefit, your prior year application and benefit is valid until September 28, 2009. If you are new to DCHS either as a 9th grade student or as a transfer student and you were eligible last year, you need to fill out an application. If your circumstances change at anytime during the school year, you are welcome to fill out an application and see if you qualify for these benefits. If you receive the free and or reduced benefit, you must take advantage of the Maroon Meal as outlined above. The Maroon Meal is the benefit meal. Your student must choose at least 3 and no more than 5 of the components at lunch. All of these were outlined on page 1 of this document. At breakfast there is a sign that outlines the Maroon meal options. You are welcome to put money on your Student’s I.D. card for the times when your student may want to choose something extra or your student may pay cash for any extra items. If you have any questions regarding signing up for the benefit or regarding these benefits and what foods may be chosen, please feel free to ask. Once an application is processed the benefit goes into place immediately. A letter of notification is sent home stating the benefit or declining it with a reason.
Menu information: The menu will be posted on the web site each month. It is also available in the cafeteria in a posted format and is available for students to take home upon request from the Food Service Director. The menu is also part of the daily announcements. Please be reminded it is subject to change without notice.
Food Allergies: Dowling Catholic Food Service may use the following wholesome ingredients, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, tree nuts, dairy products, fish and shellfish. We do our best to post warning labels regarding food allergens. Please advise the school nurse and the Food Service Director of any and all food allergies, and we will work with you and try to make accommodations. A Doctor’s note must be on file with the school nurse or the food service director. Allergy alert signs are posted on foods with peanuts or tree nuts. If you have questions about the food available please ask.
Microwave Oven: A microwave oven for student use with foods brought from home is available. It is assumed all containers brought from home are microwave safe. Simple instructions will be available and Cafeteria staff will be able to assist students as well. Popcorn is prohibited from the microwave at anytime.
If you have any questions regarding any aspect of Food Service at Dowling Catholic High School, please direct them to Molly Ryan, Food Service Director: phone 222-1028 or email: mryan@dowlingcatholic.org.