Attendance Line: 403-777-6050 extension 1.
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 more information.
Supervisors are hired to supervise students in the classroom during the lunch hour. 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 (once done eating, alternative activities are made available to students until eating time is complete)
- Clean up after eating – garbage and recycling put in the appropriate bins
Please ensure that you pack a healthy lunch that supports your child’s learning each day. We do not have emergency snack items at the school. Should your child forget their lunch at home, the school will contact you to arrange for dropping off a lunch. Our school participates in the Brown Bagging for Calgary Kids program (BB4CK) which supports families in need by sending healthy, nutritious lunches to school for specific students each day. If you believe that your family could use this daily support, please contact your child’s teacher.
Staggered Lunch
We have a staggered lunch to support outdoor play at Marion Carson School (half the students go outside for outdoor movement time, while all others eat their lunch inside the building. Students then switch for the second half of the lunch hour to either eat their lunch or go outside.
CBE staff are on site to supervise students in the classroom during the lunch hour. Students who live within the walk zone and/or ride the bus must pay a yearly fee as determined by the CBE.
Lunch passes may be purchased in the office for part-time users.
Emergency lunch care is available. There is also a drop-in program for a $5 drop-in fee per day. You may contact the office at the number above regarding any lunchroom matters.
Milk Program
We currently offer an optional milk program for students. There is fee for this service and we will communicate this fee to you in the Fall. Please note that we do not sell milk by the individual container at lunchtime. If you're interested in joining the program after October 1, please ask the office for information it will be pro-rated for the month your child starts.
Lunchroom Rules
- Hands and feet to oneself. Limits play fighting and jostling about that often leads to more aggressive behavior.
- Inside voices and appropriate audience behaviors. Shows respect for others, sharing the space.
- Walk-don’t run. Ensures the safety for all in confined areas.
- No wandering about while eating-stay seated. This promotes cleanliness/courtesy.
- Display common courtesies and no obscene language. A way of expressing oneself in a learning environment or public place.
- Leaving your space as you found it. Taking ownership for your action.
No Glass Please
Glass containers (including water bottles) should not be sent to school with student lunches. Children do have accidents and glass is a safety hazard.
Allergies
It’s important that parents know that there are many children in the school who have severe allergies to various food items. We have processes in place to support students when made aware of these allergies. Please be sure to complete a student health plan stating this information. Please be sure that you remind your child to remember to take care, while in the lunchroom or at recess, and to not share their food with others. See more 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.
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