Dear Parent / Guardian:
The 2025-2026 school year is fast approaching. The Bearcat Diner staff is getting ready for the new school year. Elementary students will continue to be able to choose between an “A” menu and a “B” menu for lunch. Middle school students will have a choice of three entrees, and the High School will continue to have multiple meal options available all within the reimbursable meal guidelines.
As in the past we will be utilizing an electronic point of sale system to manage our families lunch accounts. The students will use their five digit student ID to record their purchases. The student will be expected to memorize the number as they will use it all the way through their educational journey with KPS. We will have lists provided to the cafeteria staff to help while your child works on memorization.
Now is the perfect time to start getting your lunch account ready for the school year. Make payments if necessary or set up auto recurring payments. This is also a good time to talk with your child about your expectations concerning their ala cart and extra food purchases.
Just a reminder that your lunch account is a debit system. Your child will not be allowed to purchase any extra items if there isn’t any money in the account and you will be liable for any reimbursable lunches charged on the account. It is necessary to keep funds in the account. The student is always allowed to use cash for extra purchases.
We have several ways to add money to your account.
- Mail checks to The Bearcat Diner 320 W 24th St Kearney NE 68845
- There is a dropbox located behind City Hall
- Or drop payment off at your school
- KPS has a program called SmartSchool K-12 that you can use to make online payments. For more information go to family.wordwareinc.com our processor charges a small fee for this service.
If you would like to apply for free/reduced lunches please fill out the application. You can do this on the KPS website by going to the Bearcat diner and setting up an account. Then you can fill out the application. You only need to fill out one application per family but please be sure to include all of your family members. This is a confidential process.
You must complete a new application every year to keep receiving benefits. Also, you may fill out the application anytime during the school year if your circumstances change. Filling out this application may qualify you for additional benefits.
All schools in the KPS system will offer breakfast during the 25/26 school year.
If you would like a detailed lunch account summary please contact the Diner office from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday at 308 698-8159. If there is no answer please leave a message and your call will be returned. You may email us at tavriskowski@kearneycats.com .
Your balance is available at www.family.wordwareinc.com (if you don’t have your family ID call or email) We will use an automated calling and email system that notifies you in the event your balance falls below $20 if you have a high school student or $5 if all of your students are in 8th grade and below.
We would like to ask that if you have a change in name, address, phone number, email, or any family status that you notify us so that we can keep our records current to provide the best possible information for you and your student regarding their lunch account.
Wishing everyone a wonderful 2025/2026 school year!
