Our Lunchroom
It is important to call the school if your child is absent during lunch if they regularly stay for lunch.
Students eating lunch at school are supervised for the duration of each grade lunch block between 11:25 AM – 12:15 PM
Please remember to pack all utensils needed to eat lunch.
Lunch Supervision
The Lunch Supervision program requires registration and is available to all students in Grades 1-4. There is a fee to participate, and a waiver process is in place for families who cannot afford to pay fees.
Allergies
There are a number of students at our school are deathly allergic to nuts, including peanuts. These children have been trained to avoid foods, which may have been contaminated by peanut oils, peanut butter and nuts.
We are a Nut Free School
We ask all parents to assist by avoiding the use of nuts and peanuts in foods and crafts sent to school, and ensuring that trading or sharing of food does not occur. For more details on allergies please visit our Illness & Medical page.
Students with Allergies or Medical Conditions
We require that our parents complete a Student Health Emergency Response Protocol Form every year in September. This form contains information that we use to assist all staff in becoming aware of your child's allergies or medical condition. Medications can only be administered by staff upon completion of a Student Health Plan that must be approved by the principal. Medication is kept in a locked cabinet in the nurse's room. We do not keep any medication for general use in the school.
Medications
Parents please be aware school personnel are not authorized to dispense medication to a child without a Student Health Plan being completed and approved by the Principal. Parents should complete this form and it will be kept on file. Parents must also supply the medication required and it must be kept in the office nurse’s room cupboards.
Allergy Alert
We are a Nut Aware School
We wish to draw to your attention to, two life threatening concerns for some of our students.
- Animals | We have in our school, students who are extremely allergic to animals.
- Nuts | A number of our students are deathly allergic to nuts, including peanuts. These children have been trained to avoid foods, which may have been contaminated, by peanut oils, peanut butter and nuts.
All parents can assist in this critical issue by:
- Helping your children understand the life threatening nature of allergies
- Avoiding the use of nuts and peanuts in foods and crafts sent to school
- Ensuring that trading or sharing of food does not occur
- Refraining from bringing pets into the school or onto school grounds
School Nurse
Calgary Regional Health has provided a school nurse who visits on a weekly basis or as needed.
Forms You Need
Student Health Emergency Response Protocol Form
- This form is to be used when there is a student health issue regarding attention. This includes when there is a request to administer medication.
Student Health Plan
This form is to be:
- completed if a physical or medical condition may affect the student’s attendance at school
- completed if medication is to be taken at school,
- reviewed and updated annually or sooner if there is a change in the student’s health concern or school registration.
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