Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suggest packing a lunch, she will have more time to eat it if she doesn't have to wait in line.

That said, you could have her buy lunch once or twice in the first two weeks while the teachers and lunch workers are extra helpful so if she ever forgets her lunch or it gets spilled, she can go through the lunch line without worrying that she doesn't know what to do. And put $10 on her lunch account in case that happens, or one day you're just too rushed to pack.

At my son's school, the first couple of weeks were so hectic that he would not have had time to eat if he had to stand in line for lunch. So, I suggest you pack her a lunch for at least the first week. As a pp said, I put $20 on his account just in case.

I would wait at least 2 weeks or more before sending them in the lunch line. Until the school gets all the FARMS data entered into the system there is always confusion in the lunch line.
Our daughter is going into 3rd and she has never gotten lunch at the school only because I know that she wouldn't get enough time to eat it.

If your school offers breakfasts, I highly recommend thinking about getting them. They just hand them out as you enter the building and they don't need to keep track of the FARMS data since they are offered to all kids at the school regardless of income.

Thanks to everyone for the great tips!

Yes, packing a lunch gives kids a LOT more time to eat.

Also for K, try to send only food that they can completely manage themselves. Teachers are on lunch duty and are supposed to help them open thermoses, etc (I am such a teacher and I love helping the K students!) but we are usually really busy with all the kids' needs and can't get to everyone quickly to let them start eating. So if you want your kids to actually be able to eat her food, don't put it in a thermos she can't open (the first month of school especially). Don't send a fruit cup she can't open by herself. Just send nice easy food like a sandwich. Pre- open stuff if you can (like a cheese stick). It makes it easier on your kids.

Anonymous wrote:I suggest packing a lunch, she will have more time to eat it if she doesn't have to wait in line.

That said, you could have her buy lunch once or twice in the first two weeks while the teachers and lunch workers are extra helpful so if she ever forgets her lunch or it gets spilled, she can go through the lunch line without worrying that she doesn't know what to do. And put $10 on her lunch account in case that happens, or one day you're just too rushed to pack.

At my son's school, the first couple of weeks were so hectic that he would not have had time to eat if he had to stand in line for lunch. So, I suggest you pack her a lunch for at least the first week. As a pp said, I put $20 on his account just in case.

That's a good idea! Thanks for the helpful information!

I suggest packing a lunch, she will have more time to eat it if she doesn't have to wait in line.

That said, you could have her buy lunch once or twice in the first two weeks while the teachers and lunch workers are extra helpful so if she ever forgets her lunch or it gets spilled, she can go through the lunch line without worrying that she doesn't know what to do. And put $10 on her lunch account in case that happens, or one day you're just too rushed to pack.

My child will be entering kindergarten and this will be her 1st year of school. I was wondering what do most parents do for their children for lunch? Do pay for school lunch or pack a lunchbox?