In The Lunchroom

Educational Assistants may spend a part of their day assisting in the lunchroom. The lunchrooms across the district operate with slight differences, but there are some general things to consider:

• The lunchroom needs to be safe. Students should move in a safe manner.
• Younger students should not share food with each other or buy each other food.
• Younger students often need help opening their milk and managing their lunch box or tray. Scan for those in need and offer help.
• Some students have severe food allergies. Accommodations should be made to help these students avoid allergic reactions.
• Some students have special needs that need to be considered. For example: Eating disorders, anxieties, quantity or quality of food eaten, etc. If there is a special request to help with one of these needs, take it seriously and do your best to help the student while also following any plans that have been made between parents/students/teachers/school staff.
• Encourage students to eat healthy and make good healthy food choices.
• DO NOT force students to eat.
• Communicate eating/non-eating concerns with the secretary or teacher who can make a phone call to the parents.
• Discourage waste.
• Follow dismissal routine/schedule.
• Make sure to find out about any specific expectations for the lunchroom in which you are working by speaking with administration and/or food service staff.