Each year schools are responsible for collecting, tracking, and reconciling thousands of student payments across multiple programs. From lunch money to exam fees and everything in between, managing payment collection district-wide is typically a complex and decentralized process. Districts will often find that their school sites and student programs use various methods and software platforms to help them manage payment collection. The athletic department may have a specific application for registration fees, while the before and aftercare program uses another for their enrollment payments. That doesn't even account for all the areas where staff may still be manually collecting physical payments and paper forms, forgoing a software platform altogether. 

According to SNA’s 2024 School Nutrition Trends Report, schools shared that staff shortages and rising costs are their programs' top two challenges. As schools look to navigate through these roadblocks, time is a valuable resource. Choosing which Point of Sale System you’re going to implement for your nutrition program is a big decision, and there are many things to consider. Let’s take a look at a few of the features that will not only help you run a smooth program, but save you time along the way. 

Our school menu templates are back for the 2024-25 school year. This year, we have a brand new set of designs, as well as a new ADA-friendly format option!

In March, over 150 school nutrition professionals from 76 districts traveled to Duke University to join our Heartland team for Connect 2024. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of this year’s Connect:

The Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP, is a federal non-pricing meal service that allows schools in low-income areas to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students without having to collect applications.

Connect 2024 is next month! While you get ready for your trip and continue to plan, take a look at some fun things to do around Durham during your stay. 

In a survey by the District Administration at the start of the 2023-2024 school year, 45% of schools surveyed reported insufficient staff as an ongoing issue. As districts grapple with the downstream effects of limited resources, it becomes even more important for schools to find technology partners that can create efficiencies and help them overcome operational challenges.

It’s time to register for Connect 2024! Meet the Heartland team in Durham, NC for our biggest training event of the year, where you can hear about all of our products and what’s coming in the year ahead.

Take a look at what you’ll have the chance to learn more about at this year’s conference:

I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Ryan Miller, who serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Leeds City Schools in Alabama. Ryan brings a unique perspective to the table as a certified public accountant (CPA) and has been utilizing MySchoolBucks for some time now. As a self-proclaimed MySchoolBucks lover, Ryan shared his experience with the platform and the benefits and features he finds most valuable.

From our Heartland family to yours, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year! As we get ready to head into 2024, let's take a look back and see what you enjoyed reading most this year: