Most of Mount Royal students eat lunch at school due to the short noon hour (40 minutes). We have a small student-run canteen were students can purchase snacks, beverages and instant meals.
The Noon Hour Activity Fee of $30 per year covers intramural activities and clubs that run over the lunch break. Students may also engage in their own outdoor activities, complete homework in the Learning Commons, or go off campus for a walk.
Canteen
Leadership students have been operating, advertising, and stocking the school store and have been learning valuable lessons and having a blast. We have great deals on lunch time snacks and are beginning to bring in new items like school supplies and other lunch items.
Lunchtime Schedule
The Learning Commons is open daily for students working on homework or wanting some quiet time to read a book. Intramurals are regularly held in the gym. Intramurals start mid September and a calendar with the schedule will be posted on a bulletin board outside the gym.
Fun Lunches
Fun Lunches at Mount Royal happen every Wednesday. You will first need to go to the Healthy Hunger Website www.healthyhunger.ca and set up a parent account. Just follow the instructions on the website home page. You will locate Mount Royal School and add your student under their homeroom. Once you have set up a parent account you will receive notifications of any upcoming school Fun Lunches. If you do not set up an account you will not receive notifications.
You can purchase as few or as many lunches as you want throughout the year, there is no obligation. If you have any questions on setting up an account or any questions pertaining to the Fun Lunch program at Mount Royal please contact hgburns@hotmail.com
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