We are looking forward to a great year in the Mayland Heights School lunch program.
- Microwaves and hot water are not available for students in the lunchroom, therefore, please provide lunches which do not require heating.
- The use of thermoses is encouraged if hot lunches are desired.
- Cutlery is not available at the school, so please include spoons, etc. in your child’s lunch kit.
- Please make every effort to provide nut-free lunches for your child as we do have allergies in some lunchrooms.
If you have any questions concerning the lunch program please contact Mrs. Sopyc.
Lunch Supervision
Most of the students who require lunch supervision have registered for the CBE Lunch Supervision Program. We have only a few walkers and only periodically throughout the year do they use the drop in service. For more information, see our Lunch Supervision page.
Fun Lunches
We will be taking orders via Healthy Hunger at www.HealthyHunger.ca.
When you register for a free Healthy Hunger account you will be able to see the lunch options available for our Fun Lunch dates.
Allergies
Please be aware that students may have allergies to things like tree nuts and that these allergens should not be brought to school. Parents of children with allergies must fill out appropriate forms. See more on our Illness & Medical page.
Early Dismissal Fridays
Remember to send a nutritious snack with your child every Friday because they have early dismissal and will not be
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
eating lunch at school. See the Contact Us page for complete school hours.