Frequently Asked Questions

Does the noon lunch supervision fee mean my child(ren) will be fed at school?
No, you are still responsible to provide food for your child(ren). This fee helps recover the cost of staff supervision, which is not an expense that is recognized in provincial operating grants.

If your child(ren) are fed through school nutrition programs, they will still receive that food free of charge.

Can I pay by cheque or cash?
Our preferred payment method is online payment using a credit card or VISA/Mastercard debit card through MySchoolBucks. Cheques or cash will be accepted at your school office, and receipts can be issued by the school office coordinator.

What if I am unable to pay?
We recognize this is another expense that adds to already stretched household budgets. If families are unable to pay, your child(ren) will still be able to stay at school over lunch. Please create a MySchoolBucks account and continue to the area to pay fees. Select the “request exemption” option instead of a payment amount. If your child(ren) are fed through school nutrition programs, they will still receive that food free of charge.

How can I help families who may not be able to afford this fee?
Thank you for your empathy and desire to help others. There’s a process for families to request a compassion exemption. We will not exclude students based on ability to pay.

My child takes the bus and I don’t have an option to pick him/her up? Do I still need to pay the fee?
Yes, fees apply to all students who stay for lunch, whether they take the bus or not.

If my child usually comes home but wants to stay from time to time (for hot lunch days, intramurals, etc.) will I need to pay the fee? For the day? Month?
Fees are fixed per month; they will not be calculated based on the number of school days or the number of days students are present/absent. Please consider things like weather (you may opt to have your children stay at school when it’s cold outside), hot lunch days or any other factors that would lead to your decision to have your children stay at school over lunch, and pay accordingly.

High school students don't require supervision, and they often don't stay at school for lunch. Why should I have to pay?
The level of supervision needed for high school students is different, but they still require monitoring and supervision. The modest fee reflects that and the fact that some students only occasionally spend lunch at school.

If my child is sick/absent can I get a refund for the portion s/he is not at school?
Fees are fixed per month; they will not be calculated based on the number of school days or the number of days students are present/absent. Refunds or reimbursements will not be issued for the current month.

Can I change my mind and have my child stay/not stay at school over lunch?
Yes, you are able to change your mind. If you think that might be an option for you, it may be better to choose monthly installments instead of a one-time payment for the rest of the year. You can schedule payments in MySchoolBucks anytime, and you can cancel any scheduled payments. Schools can provide refunds for future months that have already been paid. Refunds will not be offered for the current month.

If I move and change schools mid-month, will I need to pay the fee again at the new school?
No, we will not collect fees for the same month more than once. Please let your new school know that fees have already been paid.

Will my child be able to play with friends over the noon hour if s/he eats at home?
Fees are collected to help recover the cost of supervision, which is an expense that is not covered by Government of Saskatchewan operating grants. Playground supervision is still required for students who spend a significant portion of the lunch break to play outside, even if they do not eat lunch at school. We trust families who use the services and are able to pay will conscientiously do so.