Our public schools are phasing in a point of sale system in the cafeteria similar to what you use when you check out at the grocery store. Each child is being asked to memorize a random series of numbers to use every time they make a purchase at lunch. I can’t begin to imagine how Amy is expected use this system when she starts kindergarten next year. Doug has been quizzing Noah to help him learn his new pin number. Yesterday, Noah spouted the numbers out surprisingly easily and Doug praised him. Then, Doug reminded him that his number shouldn’t be shared with any of his friends. “It’s okay. I’ve only told Cortland so far.” I already anticipate the problems this is going to create. A friend can’t remember his pin? No problem, use someone else’s pin. Want an extra ice cream (diet, since artificial sweeteners are great while homemade cupcakes are bad for us overweight southerners)? (Take a look at the forskolin reviews, you might find another alternative that you might like) I wonder how long it will be before the school wants our bank information so they can help us by billing our account directly?
They’ve been doing that here in Memphis since my youngest started kindgergarten five years ago. I remember they had a badge they wore to lunch everyday that had their pins on their so that the kids would not have to remember. I think they use the last four of their social security #’s, but I can’t remember for sure.
That’s what we have, and the kids learn it pretty quickly. Our cashier has a notebook with a list of everyone and their numbers.
As for sharing it, she won’t let a child use another kids number – their name pops up on her screen when they enter the number, and she has to hit some keys to complete the transaction. What’s funny is she won’t let my son buy ME lunch with his pin – I have to pay cash. Even though I put the money in his account to begin with. Apparently it’s just easier to have a school policy (no buying other lunches) than deal with exceptions.
One school I once audited had not only pins but photographs in the system, when the kid put his number in his name and picture came up – that school had more kids in it, so it’s harder for the cashier to know everyone. By the second week I bet she knew most of their names, anyway.
I hear ya on the artificial crap. It’s hard to buy anything at our school that doesn’t have high fructose corn syrup in it, and a bazillion colors and other additives. Sigh.
Knowing the technology side of this, I am surprised they didn’t go with thumbprint scanners. Biometrics are absolutely doable for this situation. If Digital Crossing can secure the server room with a thumbprint scanner, Disney admits visitors via thumbprint, and grocery stores are test marketing completing transactions via thumbprint, then the schools should be doing the same. Our children should learn early the technology that will carry them into their futures whether or not it scares the adults. (and that’s a slam on the Bearden Middle School principal that is afraid of cell phones and music players).
This may be the dumbest thing I have ever heard of… so far. (Followed closely by my old h.s. that only last year changed their policy of using kids Social Security Numbers as their “Student ID”
I like the Biometric idea, but first little kids hands get cuts and scrapes far too often, and that throws most biometric systems out of whack.
Swipe card systems are cheap and easy to implement these days, and would be easier than the kids needing to meorize the number.
At the rate my kids lose crap, I’d be replacing swipe cards at least once a week.
The elem. schools (and others, I imagine) have been using the pin system since my oldest has been there. It works out well for him.
If only he’d tell me when there’s no money left in it…