Lunch Supervision
Lunch supervision is offered for bus-eligible riding students, bus-eligible non-riding students and for bus-ineligible students who wish to stay at school during the lunch break in Grades 4 - 6. All must register and pay a fee for lunch supervision. Students participating in lunch activities are to be supervised by the sponsoring staff unless the student is already entitled to eat in the lunchroom. Please visit our Lunch Supervision page for information.
Allergy Aware School Environment
As we have students in our school who have severe food allergies, it is our request that students do not bring lunches or snacks that contain peanuts, nuts or nut by-products. A nut-free table is available for use by those students who present with severe allergies. Students with severe allergies should carry their medication on their person at all times. See more on our Illness & Medical page.
Food Services
Prepared food is available for purchase from the lunchroom kitchen. Lunchroom seating is in the Gathering Area for students in Grades 7 to 9 and in classrooms for students in Grades 4 to 6. Vending machines are also located throughout the school for student use during health and lunch breaks.
Lunchtime Activities in the Gym
A variety of activities are available for students in the gym during noon hour for specified grades. When the weather is cold, we also offer gym activities during the Nutrition Break.
| Grade 9 | Monday |
| Grade 8 | Tuesday |
| Grade 7/6 | Wednesday |
| Grade 5/4 | Thursday |
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