1. Rationale of this policy:

As part of our holistic approach to educating students at Edison International Academy, we aim at making both children and parents more aware of the need for healthy food in their school lunch boxes. 

What people eat is known to be a key factor influencing health and mind. Research indicates a strong link between diet and performance (e.g. a low sugar intake promotes concentration, lessens hyperactivity, protects teeth, and lessens the risk of Type 2 Diabetes and a low salt intake reduces the risk of heart disease in later life). It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that children have a healthy lunch at school daily. 

2. Aims of this policy:

1. To promote the personal development and well-being of the child 

2. To promote the health of the child and provide a foundation for healthy living in all its aspects. 

3. Objectives of this policy:

1. To enable the child to appreciate the importance of good nutrition for growing and developing and staying healthy 

2. To enable the child to accept some personal responsibility for making wise food choices and adopting a healthy, balanced diet. Lunch is an important meal for school-going children. It should provide one third of their recommended daily allowance of nutrients without being high in fat, sugar or salt. However, we cannot stress enough the importance of the children getting a good breakfast each morning before they come to school. Breakfast/ lunch should also provide dietary fibre (roughage). All our classes have two breaks per day to eat their lunch. Parents are asked to be mindful and to encourage a healthy lunch right from the start. 

 The following guide is designed to encourage all parents and school staff to ensure that school lunch boxes are full of nutrition and healthy food:

Edison International Academy is a ‘nut free zone’. This is due to many children being severely allergic to nuts. 

The school does NOT allow the following being brought to school:

• Snacks known to be high in sugar, saturated fat, salt, additives and preservatives
• Crisps (including crisp style snacks)
• Seeds
• Sugary drinks (including fizzy, fruit flavoured water, soda, fruit juices, etc)
• Nut products including Nutella and chocolate milk
• Sweets
• Biscuits (unless homemade)
• Cereal bars (unless homemade and nut-free)
• Chewing gum
• Popcorn
• Lollipops

If such foods are brought to school, children will be asked to bring them home in their lunchboxes. 

So as to take a proactive approach to healthy lunches, teachers will from time to time, reward children who can show a piece of fruit or other healthy foods in their lunchboxes. 

4. Treat Day:

Thursdays can be assigned as Treat Days, and students may be allowed to bring an item of food that may not usually be allowed. 

5. Think Green:

• Students are encouraged to:
• Take home all uneaten food
• Silver paper
• Wrappings
• Containers and cartons

6. Birthday Celebrations:

Should parents wish to send a treat for their child’s birthday to school, this needs to be arranged with such arrangements need to be made with the respective class teacher at least two days prior. Birthday celebrations are allowed, however, cakes or cupcakes sent in must not contain nuts

Students are NOT allowed to bring their lunch to school in cans and glass containers for safety reasons. 

7. Special Diets:

Parents of any student with a medical condition which requires a special diet should contact the school.