Lunchtime Hours & Supervision
11:25 AM – 12:05 PM
Grade 7, 8 and 9 students are allowed off-campus during the lunch hour. There is no supervision provided for students when they are off-campus. Students are expected to return to school on time and to maintain good relationships with the residents and business people in the area. Students are not permitted to loiter around the church, neighbouring homes, or business establishments. The Bowcroft School playground is also out of bounds. Students who are late returning to school, or are inappropriate in the community may have this privilege revoked.
Grades 6 students and students in the ALP and PLP programs are to remain on school grounds during the school day with the exception of those students who have permission to go home for lunch, or when leaving with parents.
Students in Grades 6 are supervised during the lunch hour. No microwaves are available this year. After lunch, students are expected to go outside for a break, unless they are participating in a lunchtime club, attending intramurals or completing homework in the Learning Commons. There is a fee for lunch supervision services. Information about eligibility and fees is on our Lunch Supervision page.
Nutrition Break
Students are encouraged to bring a nutritious snack to eat during the nutrition break each day. Students are also expected to use this time to exchange books at their lockers as no backpacks will be allowed in the classrooms.
Allergies
We are Allergy Aware and students with allergies have the opportunity to eat at a separate table inside each lunchroom. 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.
Fun Lunches
Our fun lunches gives 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.
References