The Lawson R-XIV School District contracts with OPAA Food Service for all meal programs. The school meal program is designed to provide you with a well-balanced breakfast and lunch and milk included. To promote healthier eating habits among our students, we strongly discourage any carbonated beverages in the cafeteria during breakfast and lunch times. If you send a lunch with your child, please pack fruit juices/drinks, sports drinks, water, etc. Food and drink may not be consumed anywhere except the cafeteria/commons. Students may not take food or drink containers out of the cafeteria/commons. Outside food deliveries (i.e. Subway, Sonic, and any fast food) will not be allowed in the cafeteria/commons for lunch.

Students are expected to use a quiet voice and good manners in the lunchroom. They are to clean up any trash they have left on the tables or on the floor. Students are to follow the lunchroom rules and procedures.

Lunch, breakfast, and extra meals may be paid weekly or monthly. We encourage parents to write a check for the amount. All monies for breakfast and lunch are entered into a single student account. Students use a student ID number each time they access school meal services. Lunches should not be charged, but on occasion, when it is necessary to charge, please pay by the next day. Students will not be allowed to charge for more than $10.00 without payment of the balance due. Beginning at third and fourth grades, students may order a double entrée lunch. Double entrée lunches will not be available to those students who need to charge.

Breakfast: is served at 7:45 a.m.

Lunch: Teachers will accompany their classes to the Commons on their dismissal times. Lunch breaks last 21 minutes at the High School. Whether a student eats or not, everyone is to remain in the commons area during the entire lunch break. Places in line may not be held for anyone.

Free and Reduced Lunch Information:
Free and reduced lunch/breakfast forms will be sent home on the first day of school. If a student was on free and reduced lunch at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, they may start this year on the same program; however, a new form is required every year. To continue receiving free or reduced lunch/ breakfast, it will be necessary to return the completed form to the building office or the Superintendent's office.

FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE MEALS.

Free and Reduced Meals Application - Please use the provided link to log in to your TeacherEase portal and click "Misc."> Free and Reduced Application to fill out this year's application. Paper copies, if needed, can be picked up in the office at each building.

A new application must be submitted each year after July 1st.

Only complete one application per family.

Income Eligibility Guidelines

Information to gather before completing the application includes the first and last names of each person living in the home, the names and dates of birth of each student, and the gross income of each person living in the home.

Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits. When completing the application, please ensure that you indicate the student's status as a Foster Child. Foster children may be included in the household application as part of the household size.

The information you give will be used to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced-priced meals. This information may also be used for other state or federally-funded school benefits.

Proof of income may be required to verify the accuracy of the information on the application. Each year, 3% of all applications approved for free or reduced-price meals are randomly chosen for verification. If your application is selected, you will need to provide proof of income for everyone in the household, usually two consecutive check stubs. The provided income information will be used to determine your free, reduced, or full-pay status. If no proof of income is provided, the application will revert to full pay status, and parents will be responsible for paying for their student's meals and meal charges.

Applications received in July and August are processed for the upcoming school year. Applications received before July 1st may qualify for free or reduced-price meals temporarily during the first 30 days of the upcoming school year. However, families must reapply after July 1st for the upcoming school year. 

Parents/guardians are responsible for paying for all meals and meal charges incurred before the application is approved, including those purchased while information is being obtained for an incomplete application. 

Please contact Tara Blair at (816) 580-7270 or blairt@lawsoncardinals.org for additional information.

Families must submit a new application ASAP to ensure their students continue to qualify for free and reduced meals. 

Lunch and Breakfast PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Online Payment: Prepayment for school meals is encouraged through accessing the (Fees Tab) in the parent TeacherEase Portal.

Payment can also be made by sending a check or cash with your student for deposit in each building office. 

2025-2026 BREAKFAST Prices

K-12

Full Price  - $2.00

K-12 Extra Breakfast - $2.33

Reduced Price - $0.30

Adult - $2.33

2025-2026 LUNCH Prices

K-4 Full Price - $2.80

5-12 Full Price - $2.95

K-12 Extra Lunch - $3.80

K-12 Reduced Price $0.40

Adult - $3.80

2025-2026 Extra Milk Sales

White - $0.60
Chocolate - $0.60
Juice - $0.60

2025-2026 Preschool & Kindergarten Snack Prices:

Full Year - $171.00
This can be paid in full, in semester installments of $85.50 each, or quarterly installments of $42.75 each. A reminder will be sent home each semester for those choosing this option. This is a non-refundable charge. This is a service for parents, and if you do not want your child to participate, please notify the teacher.