Split Lunchroom Schedule
We have implemented a split lunchroom schedule:
- 11:15 to 12:00 PM - Grade 1 & 2
- 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM - Grade 3 & 4
Lunch Supervision
The Calgary Board of Education provides lunch supervision for students in Grades 1- 6 and full-day kindergarten programs for an annual fee. Students in these grades require direct supervision during the lunch hour, regardless of the grade configuration of the school or the mode of transportation the students use to get to and from school each day.. For more information, see our Lunch Supervision page.
Litter-less Lunches
It is our goal to reduce organic food waste and garbage volume that ends up in our dumpsters every week. All uneaten food and organic waste will be returned home via lunch kits every day.
Question and Answers: Organic recycling at MTS
Q #1: Does MTS belong to the City of Calgary organic recycling program?
A: We are billed monthly for waste removal. It is our ongoing goal to reduce garbage that goes into the bins.
Q #2: What does my child do with the food he/she does not eat at recess and lunch?
A: All uneaten portions of food will be returned home in a container provided from home, or in their lunch kit.
Q #3: Can my child bring single serve fruit cups, pudding, and/or yogurt to school?
A: Yes, however, if the food is only partially eaten we recommend that you have a Ziploc baggie or a sealed container in your child's lunch kit for this purpose. We recommend repackaging spill-able food into sealable containers.
Q #4: My child has a juice drink box for recess and/or lunch. Does my child need to bring this container home in his/her lunch kit?
A: No, the lunchroom supervisors will recycle all drink boxes, however, your child may wish to take empty drink boxes home for recycling.
Microwaves & Cutlery
Because of the number of students we have who remain at school, we are unable to provide microwave services to students. We also request that students bring their own cutlery if required.
Lunchroom Behaviour
While we want lunch time to be a relaxed and enjoyable time for students, as always we expect respectable behaviour from our students.
Students are expected to follow these expectations in the lunchroom and respond with respect to their lunchroom supervisors. Parents will be informed if these expectations are not being met by their child. Children who go home for lunch should not return to school before 12:03 PM at which time teacher supervision is provided outside for all students.
Allergies
As a caring school community, we must be aware and vigilant around the variety of severe allergies that many of our students have, the most common one being peanut and nut allergies. Learn more about allergies and other medical information on 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.
References