---
title: Happy holidays 🌟 (+Our top 5 blogs of the year)
description: From our Heartland family to yours, we're wishing you happy holidays! Take a look at our most popular posts this year.
image: https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hubfs/HSS%20Holiday%20-%20Blog%20Header.jpg
---

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# ![Connections Blog](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hubfs/LP_Templates/Connections-Blog/Connections-Blog-Logo-2024.svg)

Fresh insights for school leaders

# Happy holidays 🌟 (+Our top 5 blogs of the year)

Posted by [Melissa Colopietro](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/author/melissa-colopietro) on Dec 12, 2024, 1:05:49 PM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

![HSS Holiday - Blog Header](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HSS%20Holiday%20-%20Blog%20Header.jpg?width=745&height=323&name=HSS%20Holiday%20-%20Blog%20Header.jpg)

As we approach the end of another year, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for your partnership and wish you a holiday season filled with magical moments and joy. Before we hit the ground running in 2025, let's take a look back at our most popular articles from this year:

 

![2024-25 menu template header-1](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024-25%20menu%20template%20header-1.png?width=607&height=263&name=2024-25%20menu%20template%20header-1.png)

[\[New Designs\] Free School Menu Templates For The 2024-25 School Year!](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/new-designs-free-school-menu-templates-for-the-2024-25-school-year)

Check out our latest menu templates for the 2024-2025 school year, filled with brand-new designs.  You can easily download these fun, free, easy-to-use templates now.

[![Read here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/434266/f9fcd34f-1e90-4625-acdd-e513b001fe2e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/434266/f9fcd34f-1e90-4625-acdd-e513b001fe2e)

 

---

 

![Yorkville testimonial header-1](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Yorkville%20testimonial%20header-1.jpg?width=614&height=267&name=Yorkville%20testimonial%20header-1.jpg)

[A Collaborative Approach: Yorkville CUSD’s path to unified school payments](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/a-collaborative-approach-yorkville-cusds-path-to-unified-school-payments)

This fall, we had the chance to meet with Cathy Anderson, Assistant to the Superintendent of Yorkville Community Unit School District. Cathy discovered MySchoolBucks through her district’s use of Synergy for their Student Information System, and we were excited to hear about her experience so far. 

[![Read here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/434266/91b8b27e-b47f-46fc-8d17-af0b744d3031.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/434266/91b8b27e-b47f-46fc-8d17-af0b744d3031)

 

---

![Connect25 - Save the Date - Blog Header-2](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Connect25%20-%20Save%20the%20Date%20-%20Blog%20Header-2.png?width=639&height=277&name=Connect25%20-%20Save%20the%20Date%20-%20Blog%20Header-2.png)<https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/a-perfect-pairing-springfield-public-schools-journey-with-mcs>

[Save the date! Connect 2025](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/save-the-date-connect-2025)

Join us for [Connect 2025](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/connect), our annual conference, in Phoenix, Arizona! From March 19-20, 2025, prepare to learn from our product experts how you and your team can get the most out of Heartland products. 

[![Read here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/434266/d559c50c-d538-4ce9-a29c-4c7a8322e542.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/434266/d559c50c-d538-4ce9-a29c-4c7a8322e542)

 

---

 

![Black History Month Blog Header-1](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Black%20History%20Month%20Blog%20Header-1.jpg?width=662&height=287&name=Black%20History%20Month%20Blog%20Header-1.jpg)

# [Celebrating Black Educators: Pioneers Who Shaped History](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/celebrating-black-educators-pioneers-who-shaped-history)

Let’s take a look back at the accomplishments of five remarkable black educators who have paved the way for generations to come.

[![Read here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/434266/7d452102-8ca1-4bc1-ad2f-fa8e71851297.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/434266/7d452102-8ca1-4bc1-ad2f-fa8e71851297)

 

---

 

![CEP blog header-1](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CEP%20blog%20header-1.png?width=662&height=287&name=CEP%20blog%20header-1.png)

# [Considering CEP for the 2024-25 school year? Here's what you need to know](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/considering-cep-for-the-2024-25-school-year-heres-what-you-need-to-know)

In the fall of 2023, the USDA made a final ruling amending the CEP.  It states that the minimum identified student coverage (ISP) will now be 25%, instead of the previous 40%. Learn more about the [Community Eligibility Provision](https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/community-eligibility-provision), or CEP, to find out if it's the right fit for your district. 

[![Read here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/434266/253462c7-4c2f-4145-bb14-3669b3b26491.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/434266/253462c7-4c2f-4145-bb14-3669b3b26491)

 

 Topics: [Happy holidays](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/happy-holidays)

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