Lunchroom Attendance Line: 403-777-8350 ext. 2
Lunch Supervision
Jennie Elliott School offers a well-supervised lunch program for both bused and walking students. The lunch program can be accessed on a full time or on a drop-in basis. There is no milk program this year, and there is an emergency lunch program should your child forget to bring a lunch.
Registration information is on our Lunch Supervision page.
Lunchtime Drop-In
If your child is planning on using the Drop-In Service, please ensure that you contact the office before 10 AM. If your child normally attends the lunchroom, but will be absent, we also ask that you contact the Office. For safety reasons, attendance is taken every noon hour. Your contact with the school ensures that this attendance runs smoothly and quickly.
Our Lunchroom
Hot lunches are a great break from sandwiches; however we are asking that parents please make use of thermoses instead, since hot water and microwaves are not available.
Litterless Lunches
As we start back to school, please consider the purchase of food containers for your chil's lunchbox. We have made great gains in reducing the number of lunch time garbage bags and want to continue this very positive trend.
Fun Lunches
School Council organizes special Fun Lunches throughout the year. Information on these lunches will be sent home prior to the event. Participation is optional. Money raised at these lunches pays for Play Day activities at the end of June.
Allergies
We ask that children do not share snacks or lunches. We also ask that parents be sensitive to the dangers to other children due to severe and life-threating allergies.
Special care is provided for students with food allergies. The school is not a peanut free school however we do provide ‘peanut free lunchroom tables. Lunchroom supervisors are very conscientious in their supervision duties. For more information, see our Illness & Medical page.
Free Time
Lunch hour and recess are a fun time at our school as students in different classes and grades are able to play together. Students play on the creative playground, grab soccer balls, bring wall balls, create chalk designs on the compound and invent many of their own games. Supervisors and teachers continually reinforce ‘good sportsmanship’ and we ask that parents also reinforce this ethic. While many of our students are excellent athletes, noon hour games are meant to be non-competitive so all children can participate.
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