The ÉJSMS lunch time is from 11:15 to 12:15 and is divided between outdoor play and in-class eating time.

Outdoor Recess

We start our lunch break with an outdoor recess. The students have 5 minutes to get ready then a nice long 25 minute break for exercise, socializing, and fresh air. Outside there are many play areas, so students are not overly clustered in any specific areas. This spreads out the fun and makes supervision easier for the adults. Our outdoor play areas include soccer fields, green spaces, playground equipment, basketball hoops, and asphalt areas. We do not allow electronics outside during recesses because we want to encourage social interactions; however some students occasionally choose to find quiet places to read or write during recess. There are typically 10 official supervisors outside during recess, as well as several educational assistants who are outside with specific students. Supervisors wear orange vests and carry first aid backpacks.

Indoor Lunch

Students have from 11:45 to 11:50 to transition into the school and their classrooms, then they have a full 25 minutes to eat. Most classrooms have their own teacher present during lunch eating time to ensure students are physically and socially/emotionally safe (ie., making sure the language and topics are appropriate). In the case of a teacher being outside for supervision, that teacher needs to take a half hour lunch break while her students eat. In that case, a neighbouring teacher monitors two classes.

When teachers are supervising at this time of day, their time is considered “assignable” rather than “instructional” as they are only present to ensure students’ physical and emotional/social safety rather than to instruct the students. During their lunch eating time, supervisors often put stories or short videos on the screen (in French if the students are in FI). This gives students a chance to have some downtime while eating. Students who want to chat with their neighbours are welcome to do that as well. Some supervisors allow students to draw, read books, build puzzles or other quiet activities when they are done eating.