Here’s food news that will help your family’s bottom line: SBISD breakfast and lunch prices remain unchanged for the 2008-2009 school year.

Breakfast at all Spring Branch ISD schools will cost 75 cents; reduced-price breakfast will cost 30 cents for students whose families meet certain established eligibility criteria.

Lunch will cost $1.30 at all elementary schools and $1.45 at secondary schools. For families who meet certain eligibility guidelines, reduced-price lunch will cost 40 cents. A la carte items are available for separate purchase at most campuses.

SBISD Child Nutrition Services serves more than 5 million breakfasts and lunches each year. The school district participates in the National School Lunch Program and offers the School Breakfast Program in qualifying schools.

Applications for free and reduced-price meals will be sent home with students during the first week of school. They should be completed and returned as soon as possible.

Families are encouraged to use the school district’s prepayment options for meals. Cashiers will accept cash or checks on site, but families may also use a credit or debit card to pay for meals online or by telephone, or pay by using a traditional checking account.

The PayPAMS, or Parent Account Management System, may be accessed at www.PayPAMS.com, or by calling 1-888-994-5100. The system, now in its fourth year of operation, is designed as a convenient, secure and friendly way to make meal account payments from home or office, 24 hours a day. Parents or guardians may also view cafeteria purchases online and receive e-mail notification of account status or balance, among other options.

Weekly menus are posted in the secondary schools, and the menu plan is also sent home with elementary students at the beginning of the year. Menu options and nutritional information is also posted on the SBISD website