Lunch and Snack Procedures--2023-2024
It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like, "What about lunch?"
– A. A. Milne
I saw this posted online from a PARENT: (I am paraphrasing, and adding some of my own thoughts...)
Soon-to-be-Kindergarten-Parents... practice eating 'school lunch' with your kids. Make sure they can open everything you send with them. Set a timer for 20 minutes and talk about how they may not finish eating, and that's okay. (Kids are going to be excited to chat with their friends, but lunch is half an hour--not much time to eat and talk, and even less by the time they get settled in their seats.) Practice packing up everything and talk about what they are saving for snack later on in the day.*see below* Also, discuss what is trash and what comes home in their lunch boxes/bags. Teachers in the lunch room will be there to help, but teaching independence will help your child to have a more positive and less rushed lunch experience!
Lunch: in the beginning of the school year, lunch can be tricky for our Kindergarten students. (The eating part is easy, but the procedure may take some getting used to, especially when I am taking lunch count for the office.) Students sometimes become confused regarding which items are lunch and which are their snacks. Also, sometimes students are not sure if they are buying lunch or bringing lunch from home.
To alleviate anxiety and help the procedure go a little smoother, please do the following:
1)Talk with your child as you are driving/walking to the bus stop or school, and tell them if they are bringing a lunch or buying lunch.
2)If students are bringing lunch: explain what's in their lunch box/bag. Explain which food is lunch and which is snack. Label the snack:* Please see below. We usually have snack in the later part of the afternoon, so we want to make sure the kids have something for snack time.
3)If students are buying: explain the choices for the day. You may want to print a lunch menu from our website or simply go online with your child. If you are concerned about what your child is buying, please send in a note explaining what you would like your child to buy for that day. Some children will choose the Muffin Meal every day. If you would like your child to eat a variety or healthier choice, please indicate that in a note to me. Thank you!
*Snack: should be small and easily managed by little fingers. To help distinguish snack from lunch, please put the snack in an easily opened container OR a separate baggie/brown bag. Label it: "snack". In the beginning of the school year, it will eliminate confusion when we are taking the lunch count. As the students become used to the procedures, you are welcome to include snack in their lunch boxes.
Again, please make sure your child can open containers, baggies, thermoses, and put straws in juice pouches/boxes, etc.
Thank you for your help and cooperation!