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.
All students will have approximately 48 minutes for lunch break which will provide sufficient time to eat and have free playtime. To ensure the safety of children, we do not allow these students to leave the school grounds during this time unless accompanied by a parent. Students are required to provide their own lunch. Microwaves, cutlery, or hot water are not available. Students wishing to have hot foods should bring them in a thermos container. We encourage families to provide nutrition-rich foods that support learning; pop, sugary drinks and candy are strongly discouraged. There will be two lunch groups, eating from 12:30 – 12:52 p.m. or 12:55 – 1:18 p.m. dependent on grade and class.
Lunchroom Behaviour Expectations
All students in the lunchroom are expected to:
- Be respectful of staff and students in the lunchroom
- Remain seated while eating until they are dismissed
- Clean up after eating – garbage and recycling put in the appropriate bins
Friday Nutrition Break
Students will eat a snack for 10 minutes and then move outside for a recess break.
Fun Lunch
Once a month our children can order and enjoy a lunch delivered from outside the school. Please register online and order your lunches at least 5 days prior to every Fun Lunch. If you do not order and pay for a Fun Lunch, please send a lunch for your child. No extra orders are available. Contact brentwoodfunlunch@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns. If you have an hour or two to help set up, hand out food or even cleanup afterwards, please email brentwoodvolunteerbank@gmail.com and let Alina know; no experience required.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
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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