Grade 5 and 6 students will eat their lunches in their homeroom classrooms for the first 20 minutes of the lunch break. These students are to remain on campus for the duration of the lunch break unless there is written permission to the teacher and the main office stating that the student may leave at lunch. The letter of permission must include the dates or range of dates for which the student is permitted to leave the school at lunch and must be signed by a legal guardian.
Lunch Supervision
The Calgary Board of Education provides students with the option to stay at school for lunch. Lunch Supervision is offered to all students in Grades 1- 6 and in our full-day kindergarten programs for an annual fee. Please visit our Lunch Supervision page for information.
Leaving the School Grounds at Lunch
It is preferred that a parent or guardian comes to the school to pick up Grade 5 and 6 students in order to ensure their safety and security. Grade 5 and 6 students are expected to go outside during the last 20 minutes of the lunch break in order to get some fresh air and physical activity. Staff will remind students to dress appropriately for the temperature and weather conditions outside; however it is the student’s responsibility to wear proper attire and to use the washroom before heading outside.
During this 20-minute period, access to the interior of the school will be limited in order to accommodate duty of care. While outside at lunch, Grade 5 and 6 students must remain on school property under the direct supervision of school staff. Students will be able to stay inside during times of inclement weather (at the school’s discretion) or when outside temperatures fall below -20 degrees Celsius.
The same policies apply to all Grade 7-9 students however they are not required to remain at school during the lunch break and once they leave, they will not be allowed back into the school until the lunch break is over.
Fun Lunches
Fun lunches give our students an opportunity to eat lunch, socialize with their friends at school and take part in special activities.
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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