School Services

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs)

HCPSS participates in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Parents/guardians must submit a new application every school year to maintain their student's eligibility. To apply, go to the HCPSS FARMs webpage.

Menus

HCPSS students and families can view menus and nutrition and allergen information for meals served in all HCPSS schools through the Nutrislice website and free smartphone app. Download the Nutrislice mobile app for iOS or Android.

Wellness and Quality

Information on the HCPSS wellness policy and commitment to quality is available online.

Prices

Breakfast is free for students who qualify for free and reduced meals. Breakfast costs $2.00 for all other students.

Lunch is free for students who qualify for free and reduced meals. Lunch costs $2.80 for all other students.

Payment

HCPSS uses MySchoolBucks.com, an online meal payment system. This system allows families to easily manage student accounts and make payments online on personal computers and mobile devices.

Health Room

As we enter into flu season, this is a reminder that good hand washing and covering sneezes and coughs with tissues and sleeves are essential steps to preventing the spread of "germs."   Also, remember that despite concerns about school attendance, your children's health (and the health of other children) is more important.  For this reason, we ask you to please:
  • Call the school nurse to let us know if your child is absent with a contagious illness such as strep throat, pneumonia, the flu etc.  Please provide any documentation from your physician about diagnosis and release to return to school.  (Ear and sinus infections, while often a reason for keeping a child home, are usually not contagious.
  • Keep your child home if he/she has a fever of over 100.0˚. A fever indicates that your child has an infection that could be passed to other students.  If you give your child Motrin or Tylenol, the fever will, of course, disappear but he/she will still be contagious to others. Children must be fever-free for 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school!
  • Have your children wash their hands properly after using the restrooms and prior to eating.
  •  If the doctor prescribes medication for your  child, please make sure he/she takes it as directed-which means the right amount at the right time and without missing doses.  
Thank you very much for helping keep all our students healthy!

Before and After School Care

Before and After Care is run by the Howard County Parks and Recreation Department

For information please call 410-313-4700.

Accident and Medical Insurance

Accident Insurance

The school system does not carry medical insurance for accidents that occur at school, including non-sport related injuries, such as trips and falls, physical education injuries, and recess/playground injuries. Thus, parents are encouraged to enroll students in the accident insurance program offered through HCPSS.

Learn more about how to obtain accident insurance →

Medical Insurance

The Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (MCHIP) is available for families, pregnant women, and children in need of medical insurance. Applications are available through the school health assistant or by contacting the Howard County Health Department at 410-313-7500.

Find out more about qualifying for MCHIP →