EXPLAINER: Here is everything you need to know about meals on campus for your child.
Students will spend an average of eight hours on campus each school day, so we know they will eat! Good nutrition is important for them to be able to learn and thrive. Here is a snapshot of what is offered, what is allowed (or not), and how to sign up and pay for school meals.
We offer healthy options
As a public charter school, we must follow the guidelines outlined in the Healthy Schools Act of 2010 for meals and snacks on campus. (This is why bake sales take place off campus!)
School breakfast is free
As early as 7:40, students can stop by the kitchen to pick up breakfast, generally an entree like cereal or a waffle, along with milk and fresh fruit. Students may take just one item or all, eat them in the Multipurpose Room (MPR) or take it back to their advisory classroom.
School lunch is offered every full school day
Students may take lunch, which includes a vegetarian option every day, OR bring their own – or both! Note that grades 5-8 do not have microwave access. Students eat in the MPR or, if they have a lunchtime club, in a classroom. There is no lunch offered on half days. We post monthly menus on the website – here is a sample.
Snacks
You may want to pack a snack for your child. Normally, students are not permitted to eat in class, so something easy to eat quickly during a break might be best. Every day and all day, fresh fruit is available to all students at no cost. For students staying for MAGIS (afterschool program), we provide snacks.
Eat now, pay later
No need to pre-pay for lunch; students enter their ID and the school will charge the family later (about every six weeks) for just the lunches they have taken. Lunch invoices and all school fees are paid through MySchoolBucks [Link]. The daily cost of lunch is $4.75 full price, $2.40 reduced price, and free for qualified families. Complete the Free & Reduced Meals form if you believe you qualify; this will also mean a reduction for other school fees (field trips, afterschool program, etc.)
We will feed them! Whatever their status, we will always feed our students! No child is ever turned away from the regular lunch offering due to any outstanding invoice or other financial issue.
Who eats together?
Grade Groupings
We have lunch for a couple grades at a time – 5th and 6th, 7th and 8th, and Upper School. This is to ensure everyone has room to eat and also to maintain some age-appropriate separation. Recess is 30 minutes long and generally just after lunch, though this varies by campus. We believe in time for both civilized lunching and some play and movement!
Advisory Lunch is a regular event.
This happens weekly at both Latin campuses. Students eat together with their Advisory in the classroom to build a sense of community. students may either bring food from home or take school lunch to their advisory classroom. Sometimes (generally once a month) these are potlucks; the advisor will plan who brings what with students. We try to share that with parents, too.
Speaking of togetherness, who cleans up after meals?
Students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves everyday, and advisories take turns to thoroughly clean up shared spaces (MPR and classrooms, as well as outdoor spaces) after meals and breaks. This is important: we all pitch in to serve the common good!
No Delivery, please!
Food delivery by services directly to school for students not permitted. While families may bring their child’s lunch or snack to the front office, ordering food from a business for delivery is not allowed. Please do not order food to campus through services like Door Dash, Uber Eats, or just regular restaurant food delivery!
