Packed lunch or hot lunch on the first day?

For those sending kiddos off to school for the first time...

What will you do for lunch the first day?

 

I always pack him a lunch the first day and sometimes the first week. He then takes on that chore of making his own. He rarely has hot lunch--mostly when we're running late or for a treat for him.

 

The principal of our school suggested that during the first week or two that your child(ren) bring a lunch. She said that there is so much going on at lunch time for them to get used to (where to sit, etc.), that having them purchase lunch is one less thing for them to figure out. I'm sticking with packing them a lunch for now.

 

My oldest has always packed a lunch on the first day. Actually she takes a packed lunch most days. She only buys a lunch at school once or twice a month usually on taco days. But I agree, the first day is crazy for the kids and the lunch lines will probably be longer than normal, so if they buy a lunch they won't have as much time to eat them. The first few weeks of school, especially in K, the lunch lines are longer until the kids get used to buying lunch.

 

This is the first year they are doing a full day on the first day of school. It's always been a 1/2 day. Last year, my DD wanted to get right into buying a lunch. It was her first opportunity to do it and she did enjoy it, but it got old fast and I started having her bring her lunch more often. I watched Jamie Oliver's food revolution and watched him in the school lunch room. It's a once in awhile thing now. The twins won't get to buy lunch at their school, but do have the option of buying hot lunch at the after school care. We'll pack for awhile until they get used to the new routine and then allow buying once in awhile.

 

Pack.

Our school has an automated system where the kids have to push in a four digit pin number to access their lunch account. It just seems like too much for them, plus managing the self-serve fruit/salad bar, carrying the tray, knowing where to go and where to sit. I will wait until they get the hang of the lunch routine before they buy.

 

Ok, now I'm in a panic. I had planned on letting them buy lunch and they have been excited about it. Maybe I need to rethink. :gah: We don't even have lunch boxes.

 

I would stick with your plan.......especially the first week of school, the cafe workers (teachers, etc) are very patient and help the kids get their meals, walk them through it, practice, and are VERY understanding that is new for many of the students.

 

If they are ever going to buy, it makes the most sense to let the learn at the beginning when everything is set up to help the new kids learn how things run. I will have them buy for the first few days, maybe the first two weeks (total of only 7 days) til they get the routine and we work on memorizing their numbers. After that they can take sometimes but will always know how the buying process works.

 

Last year, for K, I let my girls buy. They were excited about cafeteria food (blech)! I knew, though, that they had the first lunch period and would go early for extra time. I also went up at lunch to help, and could make sure my girls weren't overwhelmed, and that they ate. This year they both want to pack their lunch. I prefer that, anyway.

 

We are packing lunch. We are also packing a snack and drink (actually we'll probably purchase milk) for snack time.

The school suggests packing for the first few days of school as the child may be more comfortable with a lunch from home.

 

I was planning on letting my kids buy if they wanted. The first day menu is whole wheat pasta with meat sauce, salad, and garlic bread which they were interested in. I had also figured there would be more help the first few days of school learning how to do things than if we put it off till later.

I think we're also in a unique situation. Last year they were in am kinder. There was also an all day class. So the all day kids will already know the routine and the am kids will be learning it. But we already know our lunch number because it's the same number the kids already use at the library. Our kids get a full 30 mins for lunch. So I think that there won't be a time problem.

Marissa

 

We will pack a lunch & drink. DS only gets to purchase lunch a couple times a year -- most times he doesn't eat half of what they serve. After watching Food Inc., I have been making a big effort to change the food we eat and the cafeteria food isn't in that equation!

 

We pack lunches here.

They do participate in fun lunches throughout the year (hamburger & DQ milkshake, taco in a bag, etc) but in general I want them eating a good healthy lunch and that just usually isn't cafeteria food.

 

That is what we were told at the parent orientation as well.

My girls school also has the automated system.

 

My kids are only in for half day, so no lunches here. I think they need a snack and a drink.

 

At our school for K they did a mock trial run in the morning (prob. only an hour before lunch really started) and 1/2 the kids bought 1/2 the kids brought their food. Each K-class was also "staffed" with 3-4 parent volunteers to help with their lunches (opening drinks, snack packages, etc.) and to make sure everyone had something to eat and drink, and that the peanut kids were separated from all the others. It all went, and still does, go very smoothly and the kids are adapting well. Whichever way you choose, will be fine.

 

My two will get hot lunches at school. They did last year and will this year. Our schools are very proactive about having healthy lunches. All of the lunches come with a serving of fruit, veggies, milk and the entree (usually have 3 choices) and I'm lucky that my two like fruits & veggies so they do eat it. Also I send in a letter stating that they can't buy snacks (cookies, ice cream, chips, etc.) with the lunch card so that cuts down on the extra junk food.

 

My 2 were SO excited to get hot lunch ! I had to pack lunch for them at daycare and they were SO tired of it. I was excited for them to be introduced to new foods.
I'd leave it up to them personally .. see what they might feel more comfortable with.


They must be SO excited !

 

We will have hot lunches this year. We also did when they first started. At our school, the cafeteria workers ask them their names and that is how we are billed. They learn the kids' names very quickly. They eat hot lunch most days. They usually only pack about 3 times per month. If they take a cold lunch, they are responsible for packing it the night before. I haven't seen the menu yet but usually the first day is pizza.

 

We receive the menu tonight at meet the teacher night. Zack takes his lunch every day, although he said he wanted to eat hotdogs on the 2nd day of school LOL Paige usually eats a hot lunch, but she may decide to take her lunch. I'm leaving it up to them.

 

Each month, I print out the lunch calendar. The boys go through it and put their initial on the days they want to buy. Jon usually ends up buying lunch about 5-7 times a month, and Marcus will buy 2-3 times a week, depending on what is offered. I do this for 2 reasons, one, it helps me plan what I need to purchase each week for lunches, and two, it makes them stick to a plan, and not get caught up in buying "because their friends are". Our school uses either cash or a lunch ticket which is bought for 5 lunches. I usually purchase tickets for 10 lunches at a time, then replenish when needed.

 

The only thing I send with them is a snack. They eat lunch at school. If there is something on the menu they don't want the school lets them have the choice to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich instead of the main course. They do still get the sides of veggies/fruits with the pb&j.