School Services

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.

• Your child's first and last name
• Your child's grade/homeroom teacher
• The date of the absence
• The reason for the absence
• NOTE: If student was out due to a reportable condition (I.E. strep, influenza, chicken pox, whooping cough (pertussis), etc.) we ask that a note from the childs' physician be provided to the health room for confidential tracking purposes

School Health Protocols

• Medication - Students may not carry any medication (prescription or over the counter, including cough drops, Tylenol, inhalers)  Parents should contact the health room should their child require any type of medication.

• General Illness - Students who have fevers should stay home until they are free of fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. Students should stay home until they are feeling better and are ready to participate in school activities.

• Communicable Diseases - Please see NOTE above

• Head Lice - Head Lice is not a communicable disease. Please notify the health room if your child has been treated for head lice.  Information is kept confidential and only used to track for trends.

School Registration Requirements - Immunizations and Health Survey

Health Forms

• Medication Form - A Medication Form is needed if a child needs to receive medication during school hours. The form has to be completed by the doctor and signed by the parent. Medication must be delivered to the health room by the parent.  Contact the health room for details if needed.
• Auto Injector Form (e.g. Epi Pen/Auvi-Q) - An Auto Injector Form is needed if a child has food allergies severe enough to case anaphylaxis. The form has to be completed by the doctor and signed by the parent.  Medication must be delivered to the health room by the parent.  Contact the health room for details if needed.
• Physical Education/Activity Assessment Form - A Physical Education/Activity Assessment Form is needed if a child needs excused from PE and//or Recess for longer than 5 days. The form has to be completed by the doctor and signed by the parent and returned to the health room.
• Physical Exam Form - A Physical Exam Form must be completed 9 months prior to entering the Maryland Public School System or 6 months after. The form has to be completed by the doctor and signed by the parent and returned to the health room.
• Proof of Immunizations must be provided by your child's health care provider and must be signed and/or stamped.
• Lead Form - A Lead Form is needed for PK-K-1st Grade students if you have lived in specified zip codes in Maryland.  The form must be signed and returned by the parent unless they have lived in specified zip codes and their child will need to be tested.
• Dental Health Form - A Dental Health Form is needed to provide record that the child is receiving dental care.
• Health Survey - A Health Survey is needed to register your child for Maryland Public Schools.

Students in Need of Health Coverage

The Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) gives full health benefits for children up to age 19 and their families. Call the Howard County Health Department at (410)313-5845 extension 111 to see if you are eligible.