Hours and 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.
Riverside School has staggered eating times for lunch times for Elementary students.
- Grades 1, 2 and 3 have lunch from 11:35 AM - 11:55 AM and then they play outside until 12:20 PM
- Grades 4,5 and 6 play outside from 11:35 AM- 11:55 AM and then they eat until 12:20 PM
- Grade 1-6 students are supervised in their classrooms. You can register and pay online with MyCBE.
- No microwaves or utensils are available.
Junior High
- For September, grade 7 students eat in their classes and then can leave the school for the duration of the lunch hour.
- Grades 8-9 have the option of eating inside (supervised) from 11:35 AM- 11:55 AM
- All grade 7-9 students are expected to go outside for a fresh air break from 11:55 AM-12:20 PM.
- When students go off campus and into the community, they are expected to maintain courteous behavior. They may, if they choose, eat in a supervised area within the school.
Inclement Weather
- During inclement weather (-20 or below) students in Grades 1-6 stay indoors at lunch. If students in Grade 7-9 request to go outdoors, we ask they return if they get too cold.
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