Breakfast and Lunch
Students in BCPS are provided access to breakfast and lunch at school at not cost during the 26-27 school year. Check out the weekly menu.
Parents can also opt to add money to a My School Bucks account. This account allows children to purchase additional items at will during their lunch time. Parents manage the accounts, add funds, and monitor what their children are purchasing via the website or an app on their phones.
Families may always opt to pack a school lunch for their child(ren). There is no way to cook, heat, or refrigerate lunches.
Information about BCPS summer meal programs is updated annually; families will receive reminders as summer approaches.
Parents can get more information from the BCPS Food & Nutrition page on the main BCPS website.
Sharing Bin
Free meals received from the cafeteria will always include a balance of health options, and students are required to receive a balanced plate. Depending on their preferences, students may place certain uneaten items in the Sharing Bin in the cafeteria. Once an item is in the bin, any student can pick it up and eat it during lunch.
Students may not share food brought from home with other students, at the table or via the sharing bin. While the intention may be generosity, the risk of an allergic reaction is a significant concern. Parents are asked to remind their children NOT to share food with friends at school.
All food from the cafeteria should be consumed in the cafeteria; for food safety reasons, students will not be able to carry perishable items received from the cafeteria to consume later.
After School Snack Program
Students who participate in after school clubs will be provided a light snack free of charge on the days their club meets.
Staying Hydrated at School
Families are asked to provide their child(ren) with a reusable and spill proof water bottle that you have clearly labeled with their first and last name:
- Wash it, refill with water, and refrigerate it over night.
- Send it to school every day.
During the 26-27 school year, HHES will continue to provide students with access to bottled water to refill their personal water bottles.
We have a limited number of paper cones for students to use if they forget their water bottle.
Celebrations without Food
In alignment with BCPS Wellness Policies, parents are reminded NOT to send food items to school for celebrations. Likewise, teachers are discouraged from providing food as rewards.
Parents are welcome to work with their child's homeroom teacher to identify ways to celebrate special milestones and holidays.
Battling Food Scarcity
As part of the Community School Strategy, we support families in our community who may be in need of additional support to meet the nutritional needs of their family by sponsoring several opportunities via our Concentration of Poverty grant:
Chanti's Pantry
We have a small pantry available to families for "just in time" support in accessing food. This pantry is housed in The Nest, a community cottage at our school, and can be accessed by appointment.
Chanti's Sharing Table
In collaboration with First Fruits Farm, Hungry Hearts, and numerous community members, we host a monthly sharing table on the second Tuesday of each month. Families can come to the school to pick up fresh produce and non-perishable items. Chanti's Sharing Table is available 11 months of the year, taking a month off in January.
SNAP Application Support
Families at Harford Hills may receive confidential support applying for SNAP benefits in at least two ways:
- Call or email your School Counselor, Social Worker, or Community School Facilitator.
- CCBC offers FREE application assistance and eligibility screening for SNAP benefits. Contact a CCBC Benefits Eligibility Specialist by calling 443-840-4122 or by sending an email to [email protected]. Staff from CCBC will confidentially meet with you to help you fill out the application on the Maryland MyACCESS Benefits portal.
If you do not qualify for SNAP, HHES and CCBC staff can provide additional information about accessing food for your family.