Lunch Hours
Lunchtime is from 11:50 AM to 12:40 PM.
Lunch Supervision
We have a 4-day lunch supervision program available. View our Lunch Supervision page for information how to register.
Food in School
Within the health curriculum the students learn about healthy eating. Having a lunch filled with fruits, vegetables, sandwiches and other healthy foods will ensure your child is able to focus on his/her studies for the afternoon classes. Please assist us with educating the students with regards to healthy eating by providing a well- balanced lunch.
We would like to thank all of Taradale parents for providing their children with healthy, nutritious snacks and lunches on a daily basis. Parents are reminded to discuss with their children the importance of only eating their own snacks and lunches to prevent the sharing of food. We have students in our schoolhouse who have severe allergies to peanuts, tree nuts and other food sources which if eaten could create a medical difficulty. Please minimize the amount of nut products in your child’s snacks and lunches.
Working together to teach our students to eat only their own food and not sharing, as well as to be aware and sensitive to each other’s allergies, is key in maintaining a safe environment for all of our Taradale students.
For more information on how to deal with allergies, please see 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