Kids have PIN numbers so that if you pre-pay for their breakfast/lunch, the cafeteria can use that to keep track of what’s been used/what’s left. Personally, I think it’s very useful. It’s used at my son’s school.

Not sure why at your particular school if the children bring lunch money they would still have to give the cashier the PIN – maybe to accurately gauge how many kids are buying cafeteria food for budgeting purposes? You should contact someone in the school and see what they say. Good luck!

These PIN numbers as you call them is their student ID number. When a student is registered for school each student is given a student ID number which they keep as long as they are in the school district. By having these numbers it makes it easier to identify the student be it for lunch, library books, whatever. Many students are on the Free Lunch program and the program uses their ID number. For students who don’t qualify for the free or reduced meals then they can pay in advance on their ID number. Students often forget to bring their money so this way it’s there and they can eat without having to call home for money to be brought. Also by just entering the student ID number then a school can pull up all the information about that student. Basically the way I see it by using the student ID number then it’s like when you have a credit card or even your driver’s license. Your number is yours alone no one else has it and by entering your account number only you have access to check your status without having to enter a whole bunch of other info. And before I forget another reason why schools like to use the student ID number is that by entering the number at lunch it offers the kids some dignity like the free or reduced kids so others don’t know who is free, paid or reduced. Everyone has a number so with everyone entering it then no one stands out. In my day kids were embarrassed who were free nowadays many kids are proud to tell others that they get free and their friends try to use their numbers. Unsuccessfully I might add because the lunch lady’s know all the kids so they know when someone tries to use someone else’s number. Changing of the times I guess.

why don’t u ask the school