Lunch Supervision
The Lunch Supervision program requires registration and is available to all students in Grades 1-6. There is a fee to participate, and a waiver process is in place for families who cannot afford to pay fees.
Allergies
Additionally, we have children at our school who are allergic to nuts and related nut products, we strive to be a Nut-Free School. Parents must indicate any special health concerns on the school registration for their child and are encouraged to ensure classroom teachers are also aware of health issues. For more information about this and other health concerns visit our Illness & Medical page.
Grade 4 - 6 Lunch Expectations
The grade 4 - 6 lunch block is 12:36 - 1:20. Half of the students will remain inside to eat, while the other half goes outside. The schedule will be shared in September.
When students are eating, it is expected that:
They are seated, quiet and eating
They are responsible for cleaning their own space – hiking rules, pack in pack out
They have something to do when they are finished eating (chess/games, read a book etc)
They remain in the classroom until dismissed
Grade 7 and 8 Lunch Expectations
All students are required to go outside for the first 20 minutes of lunch. The Grade 7 and 8 lunch block is 11:51 - 12:35.
Students may re-enter the building at 12:10 through the front doors. If students do not choose to re-enter at 12:10, they will have to wait to re-enter at 12:35 at their designated doors.
Within the building, students may be in the upstairs hallway at lunch tables, the main foyer, or participating in PE intramurals/clubs as scheduled.
If visiting businesses nearby, it is expected that students conduct themselves in a respectful, appropriate, and lawful manner when they are off campus. Students that do not follow these expectations are subject to the consequences of the school, individual businesses and the law.
Snack Shack information will be shared soon.
Home-Packed Lunch Tips for Parents
Lunch is an important part of your child’s day at school. Here are some tips to help you provide a lunch that is safe and nutritious with less waste.
Food Safety
- Keep cold food cold by using an insulated lunch bag and 1-2 ice packs.
- Keep hot food hot by using an insulated container. Preheat your container with boiling water before adding hot food. Microwave ovens are not available for elementary students.
- Pack non-perishables, such as granola bars and whole fruit, that can be kept at room temperature.
- Most CBE schools are nut-aware, please check with your child’s teacher for more information on nut allergies and other allergies in your child’s classroom.
Help Reduce Waste
- Bring a reusable water bottle.
- Pack just enough for a child to eat during lunch.
- Many schools participate in “boomerang lunches” (pack in/pack out), where all leftover items are returned home.
Tip: Pack a sealable bag or container labeled ‘garbage’ for uneaten food or open containers to avoid mess in the lunch bag.
In 2024, ten CBE schools participated in a waste audit conducted by Green Calgary. Here are a few suggestions from the audit to help minimize waste produced by packed lunches:
- Send less selections of food. Younger children have difficulty deciding what to eat when there is a lot of choice and sometimes end up not eating.
- When possible, use reusable containers for foods such as crackers and cut up fruits or vegetables.
Other Tips
- Make sure your child can open all packages by themselves.
- Involve your child in packing their lunch. Children involved in food preparation may be more likely to try new foods and eat what is packed, minimizing food waste.
- Aim to include a food from each food group – lean proteins, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables should be eaten daily (as per Canada’s Food Guide 2019).
- Some items, such as sandwiches, can be made ahead and frozen to save time. Note that some fillings such as fresh vegetables do not freeze well.
- Designate a shelf in the fridge/pantry at home for lunch items. This may help make packing lunches quicker and encourage independence for children packing their own lunches.
References