Lunch Supervision
All lunchroom students must register for the lunch supervision program. Register through MyCBE or in the School office. More information on our Lunch Supervision page.
- Grades 1 & 2 Lunch hour is 11:00-11:40 AM
- Grades 3-5 Lunch hour is from 11:45-12:25 PM
If your child attends lunchroom on a regular basis and they are going to be away, please call the office 403-817-3436 ext 0 or you can send a note with your child to give to the office.
What to Bring for Lunch
Students in the lunch program need to bring a lunch from home as there is no cafeteria service at the school. We encourage the use of a thermos for hot lunches as we are unable to provide microwaves and/or hot water due to safety and logistics.
Welcome to the Lunchroom
Just a few reminders for parents whose children are attending the lunch program at our school. Please go over these points with your children, as it will ensure that our program continues to run smoothly and efficiently and that it is a civilized and enjoyable place to eat.
- Your child’s name should be written on any lunch containers.
- Remind children to bring their “outdoor” clothing and boots /shoes to lunch so they are prepared to go outside when they have finished eating.
- Hands should be washed prior to eating lunch.
- Encourage your child to eat his/her own lunch only. They are not to trade or share food with the other students.
- Students do not have access to microwave ovens.
- Talk with your child about what they would like in the lunch and ensure appropriate utensils are included. Any food that your child has not eaten will be sent back home in their lunch bags.
- Explain to your child how it is their responsibility to clean up by putting wrappers and scraps of food into the garbage and recycling bins provided.
- Lunch Supervisors are to be treated with respect, as with all people in our school. The adults in our school make decisions for the safety and consideration of everyone.
- If your child will be attending as a “drop-in”, make sure to call the school before 10:00 AM each morning to let the lunchroom supervisor or the office know.
- If your child attends the program on a full time basis, please advise the school if they will be absent from the lunchroom. This will avoid supervisors searching for them and then having to call home.
Allergy Awareness - No Nuts Please!
Bayside School strives to be a Nut Free school as we do have students with allergies to peanuts and other types of nuts in the building. Due to the prevalence of nut allergies at our school, we have a Nut Awareness program. Please do not send any food products that may contain nuts (e.g. peanut butter or Nutella sandwiches, cookies, etc.). Please check and read all package ingredients before sending something with your child to school.
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.
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