Lunch Supervision
Mahogany School offers a four-day (Monday – Thursday) noon supervision program for students in Grades 1-4 from 11:50am-12:28pm. Students bring their own lunches and are supervised both while they eat lunch and while they play outside. No microwave or hot water services are available. Registration and fee payment for this program is required. Noon Supervision begins on the first day of school. Students eat lunch in their classrooms supervised by Lunchroom staff. Our lunch block is split in two; Grade 1 and 2 students eat lunch while our Grade 3 and 4 students go outside first for lunch recess, then we switch and Grade 1 and 2 students go out to play while Grade 3 and 4 students come inside to eat.
*Students attending Choir will go to the Music Room to sing first then head to their classrooms to eat for the second part of lunch.
Registrations are submitted online using MyCBE.
What to Bring for Lunch
Students in the lunch program need to bring a lunch from home as there is no cafeteria or food service at the school. We encourage the use of a thermos for hot lunches as we are unable to provide microwaves and/or hot water due to safety and logistics. Please ensure you include any cutlery your child may need (spoon, fork, etc.). Please also send your child with a drink, alternately they can fill their water bottles at our water bottle filling stations. There are many healthy lunch options for students, for lunch ideas, check out these links from AHS: 'Back to School Lunch Ideas' and 'what to pack for lunch' .
Welcome to the Lunchroom
Just a few reminders for parents whose children are attending the lunch program at our school. Please review these points with your children, as it will ensure that our program continues to run smoothly and efficiently and that it is a civilized and enjoyable place to eat.
- Your child’s name should be written on any lunch containers, we continue to have a large supply of lunch bags and containers in our lost and found.
- Hands should be washed in the washroom on the way to lunch.
- Encourage your child to eat his/her own lunch only. They are not to trade or share food with the other students.
- We do not use microwave ovens.
- Talk with your child about what they would like in the lunch and ensure appropriate utensils are included. Any food that your child has not eaten will be sent back home in their lunch bags.
- Explain to your child how it is their responsibility to clean up by putting wrappers and scraps of food into the garbage cans provided.
- Lunch Supervisors are to be treated with respect, like they would their teachers. The rules that are enforced in the lunch program are for the safety and consideration of everyone.
- Please advise the school if they will be absent from the lunchroom. This will avoid supervisors searching for them and then having to call home.
Allergy Awareness - We are a Nut Aware School!
Mahogany School strives to be a Nut Aware school as we do have many students with severe allergies to nuts such as peanuts and other types of nuts in the building. Please do not send any food products that may contain nuts (e.g. peanut butter or Nutella sandwiches, cookies, etc.). Please check and read all package ingredients before sending something with your child to school. We appreciate your support of our student safety when packing lunch.
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