Students in Grades 1 – 6 will have lunch recess until 12:20 and will be supervised to eat from 12:20 – 12:40 p.m.
Students are encouraged to come dressed to play outside. Clubs and intra-mural opportunities will be offered throughout the year. Please note- microwaves are not available for students.
Students in Grades 7 – 9 have the opportunity to leave the school campus at lunch or to eat in the designated lunch areas. If choosing to leave campus, students must be responsible for having eaten lunch and have returned to campus on time and ready for learning by the beginning of Period 4. Students may participate in intramurals, complete homework, or engage in activities on the fields but must abide by regulated areas for supervision.
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 more information.
Lunchtime Hours & Supervision
Students are reminded of the importance of bringing a healthy and filling lunch. Proper nutrition and hydration supports student learning! Lunch is to be eaten in designated areas. At lunch, students are asked to follow the expectations of the lunchroom supervisors. After eating, unless involved in a supervised activity, students are to remain in the designated lunchroom area until supervision on the playground and in the library begins. The Learning Commons is available for specific activities each day and is always available for students who wish to study or complete assignments. Students are expected to clean up after themselves prior to leaving.
Elementary lunchroom students are not allowed to leave the school grounds at lunchtime without written permission. Students in Grades 7-9 are permitted to leave the school during lunchtime though they must ensure that they return back to school on time for afternoon classes.
Vending Machines
The school’s vending machines are available to make purchases before school, during lunchtime and after school.
As our office is cashless, we are unable to make change for vending purchases.
Allergies
Parents must indicate any special health concerns on the school registration for their child and are encouraged to ensure classroom teachers are also aware of health issues. For more information about this and other health concerns visit our Illness & Medical page.
Fun Lunches
Rideau Park School has a fun lunch program with voluntary participation. Parents pre-order lunches via Healthy Hunger.
The Fun Lunch program is offered approximately every second Thursday through Healthy Hunger which includes lunch offerings from restaurants such as Subway, Edo Japan, and Coco Brooks Pizza. Online orders for Healthy Hunger must be placed at least 5 days prior to the school delivery date.
These lunch programs are fundraisers for the school and are organized by the School Council.
See the calendar for upcoming fun lunches.
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.
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