school lunches ?

[KristiMc]

Our kids get 30 minutes for lunch and 30 minutes for recess. Half of the grade does lunch first then recess and the other half the reverse. This is for grades K-6.

 

[mombrontrent]

My DD's get two 20 min eating periods followed by 20 min of recess. So they eat then play outside from 10:30-11:10 and then again from 12:40-1:20. School starts at 8:30 and ends at 2:50.

 

[aprilgail]

I saw this, too, when I have volunteered for lunch duty at my kids' elementary school. Kids had hot lunch trays loaded up with food, but then I'd see entire salads, unopened cartons of milk, even whole unpeeled bananas tossed in the trash. I'm sure there are food safety issues that come into play that make it impossible to return the foods to the cafeteria or even to donate, but it's a shame to see food wasted like that (not to mention the parents paying for the kids' meals who think their kids are eating healthy, full meals)

When they do the breakfast days at my daughters school they force every kid to take a cereal and a milk. She stopped drinking milk by the time she was 3 and she would throw away the unopened milk every time, she tried to say no thank you and not take it but they told her "you have to take it"- what a waste. At her school some of the kids get their hot lunch five minutes before the end of the period due to long lines. The food is barely edible and they don't get enough of it, some kids end up buying 2 lunches just so they are full. Three chicken nuggets and 6 French fries and a tiny wilted sorry looking salad is not going to fill up the 6 foot tall 200 pound football player!

 

[bsblady01]

When they do the breakfast days at my daughters school they force every kid to take a cereal and a milk. She stopped drinking milk by the time she was 3 and she would throw away the unopened milk every time, she tried to say no thank you and not take it but they told her "you have to take it"- what a waste. At her school some of the kids get their hot lunch five minutes before the end of the period due to long lines. The food is barely edible and they don't get enough of it, some kids end up buying 2 lunches just so they are full. Three chicken nuggets and 6 French fries and a tiny wilted sorry looking salad is not going to fill up the 6 foot tall 200 pound football player!

I agree with you. and the food is always cold

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Our kids get 30 minutes for lunch and 30 minutes for recess. Half of the grade does lunch first then recess and the other half the reverse. This is for grades K-6.

But by the time they get in from recess, wash hands and get through the lunch line, that 30 minutes is more like 15-20

 

[clori]

At our k-8 school all the grades have a 30 minute lunch. Grades k-6 have a 15 minute recess either before or after lunch. The 5&6 grades usually have the latest lunch and get to go out to recess as soon as they are done vs having to wait until the end of the 30 minutes thus some kids have no interest in eating. Teachers may walk the kids to/from the cafeteria but have their own lunch break while the kids are at lunch. Kindergarten aides go to lunch with the class. Part of the vice principals job is to be in the cafeteria when available so she is in their supervising most days. The principal also likes to go in there a lot just to talk to the kids. Basically the principal and vice principal would know more about the lunch room then the teachers. In addition I know the Occupational Therapist spends time in the cafeteria helping with basic things with young kids (such as teaching them how to open containers) and would help older kids if asked. There are also some elderly volunteers and paid lunchroom staff. Teachers go out to recess and there is no other staff outside unless a student has special needs.

 

[BLAZEY]

DD6 mostly get leftovers, fruit/ veggies, cheese or yoghurt and fill her water bottle. Our school doesn't have a cafeteria, children eat in their classrooms and all students are required to bring a lunch from home. No nuts allowed. I usually make her lunch the night before when I'm making mine. Then I walk her to school wait with her until the bell rings then continue on to the office.

 

[Hrhpd]

the other problem with hot lunch is the kids don't get enough food, no way does one chicken strip feed a child. and that is one reason I pack my kids lunches.

Not the case in our old school district. Every school has a large unlimited salad bar that comes with hot lunch. It has fruit, salad fixings, hummus, often some kind of meat like chicken strips. So, if a child finishes their hot lunch and is still hungry, they can visit the salad bar as often as they want. Organic milk is also unlimited.

The hot lunches are different than most I think. Nothing comes out of a can. Everything is fresh (fruits and veggies come from local farms), has to be organic and whole wheat, no empty white flour. There is always a gluten free option and a vegetarian option. For instance, if there is teriyaki chicken there is also a tofu option.

Children do not go hungry.

 

[Hrhpd]

Oops, sorry for bumping an old thread. I should have known better than to click on one of the threads at the bottom.

 

[cijay]

what are you packing for your kids this year. my two older kids are ok with a sandwich everyday but I have a very picky five year old who will not eat cold cuts. my problem is k does not eat till 1pm so I don't want to pack anything that needs to be warm to eat.

what can I pack that will make her happy that is also healthy. it can't be anything with peanuts she is in a no nuts class.

In our house - my mother would have packed the sandwich with the cold cuts. Kid either eats them or is very hungry after school, their choice.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I use to like honey sandwiches. My Mum made those for me alot. Also marmite but I don't think you have that in the US!