Lunch is from 11:49 am - 12:30 pm. Lunch supervision staff are with students during lunch as teachers have their lunch break during this time.
- As students eat in classrooms or on tables in the hallways, there is no access to hot water or microwaves.
- Students are asked to bring their own cutlery, if required.
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 information.
Healthy Hunger Special Lunch
Varsity Acres offers a special lunch day once a month. All orders are placed online and require advance registration. Visit https://www.healthyhunger.ca.
Allergies
Additionally, 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.
We Advise Against Food Sharing
Sharing of food is not permitted at our school. This includes students sharing snacks or food at recess and lunch, or snacks or treats that may have been sent by parents in previous years on occasions such as birthdays. With the vast range of allergies in our school (which include things such as wheat, milk, dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (such as
almonds, etc.), legumes, berries and other fruits, items in the mustard family (such as broccoli and kale), food dyes, chocolate, honey, etc., we ask that families DO NOT bring or send any food to be shared with the class.
For birthdays, we will be providing students with a special pencil to mark the day and acknowledge the occasion. We truly appreciate your support and cooperation as we strive to ensure all students are kept safe from accidental allergic reactions. If you have any additional questions about this, please contact Mme Brinson.
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