Hot lunches are a great break from sandwiches, however we are asking that parents please make use of thermoses instead, since hot water and microwaves are not available.
Lunch Supervision
Lunch supervision is provided to all those students in Grades 1 to 6 who have registered and paid Lunch Supervision fees for the current year. Lunch supervision fees are considered a tax-deductible childcare expense. Parents can access “Drop-in” services for their child. Drop-in fees are $5 per day. Attendance is taken each day in the lunchroom for those students who are registered. Please visit our Lunch Supervision page for more information.
Lunch Hour Expectations for School, Parents & Students
Working as a team, students, school staff and parents make our Noon Supervision Service successful! Our partnership is strengthened by clear expectations. As the noon period is a part of the school day, the same behaviour is expected of the children as outlined in the Ethel M. Johnson School.
1. School is expected:
- To provide a safe and secure place for students to have their lunch break.
- To provide noon supervision to: walk-limit students as user-pay service, and to bus-eligible students for a CBE allocated cost.
- To accommodate a drop-in program
- To be advocates for students addressing “What is Best for Children”
2. Children are expected:
- To be considerate of each other, staff and other adults (be it on the playground or within the building)
- To demonstrate proper respect and care for articles belonging to self, school, and others
- To follow school regulations and noon supervision service rules
- To resolve differences without physical violence or abusive language or gestures
3. Parents are expected:
- To submit a completed registration form and pay the required fees. May discuss fee payment with the school principal
- To identify any allergies or medical conditions that their child may have
- To provide their child with a lunch that meets their child’s needs and weather-appropriate clothing
- To provide advance notice for a full-time student who will be absent from the lunch supervision service
- To provide advance notice to have a drop-in student stay for lunch
Allergies
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.
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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