Lunchtime Hours & Supervision
Each student will have a mid-day lunch break. We anticipate the period will be between 35-40 minutes, which is enough time to eat and get some outdoor activity time. Specific expectations for students depends on which grade they are enrolled in, which is outlined below:
Grade 6
Lunch Supervision is only available to Grade 6 students. Students who go home for lunch would not participate in this program. Students who are enrolled in the lunch supervision program must remain on school grounds during the lunch hour (unless a parent has provided permission to leave). You can register and pay online with MyCBE / PowerSchool.
You can expect the following for your lunch supervision fees:
- A safe and caring environment for students to eat lunch.
- Supervision for the entire lunch period, unless the student is signed out by a parent/guardian.
- Daily attendance will be taken.
- Students must remain on school grounds, unless written permission has been provided to the school by a parent/guardian.
- A dedicated space for eating.
- Only students that have registered and paid the lunch supervision fee can access the service meaning a student who is not enrolled in the lunch program is asked to return to school on time for the first class after the lunch period.
- The CBE has a waiver process for families who can’t afford to pay the fees.
- Note | Use of service indicates that the Parent/Guardian accepts the terms and the responsibility to pay the annual fee.
- Income tax receipts are issued for lunch supervision fees that may be included as child care expenses for income tax purposes.
- Lunch supervision fees are directed to providing lunchroom supervisors.
What lunch service is not:
- Guaranteed access to a table and chair or an assigned seat.
- Access to food or snacks; students are required to bring a lunch.
- Access to a microwave, hot water, dishes, utensils or other cooking facilities.
Grade 7 and Up
Students in Grades 7-9 are not required to enroll for noon supervision. Space and general staff supervision will be provided for students who remain on school grounds. Students are permitted to leave the school grounds to return home for lunch with parental permission, however the expectation is that they will return on time for afternoon classes.
Allergies
We are a “Nut Aware” school and we are working to build an understanding amongst our learning community of how we can work together to support our students and staff with severe allergies. See Illness & Medical to learn more about allergy awareness.
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