PC MONTESSORI LUNCH GUIDELINES

Dear Hot Lunch Donor and Helper:

Thank you for volunteering for the Montessori lunch. This Montessori lunch is one of the important ways that parents can assist us and be a part of their child’s MCDC experience.

Here are some guidelines to help the Montessori lunch go smoothly.

The donor should check with the office on Thursday morning to confirm how many children will be having PC lunch. Our kitchen and the stove are small; please have everything prepared before you arrive. When cutting up fruits, please remove the cores or pits—children do not always pay attention to these things and could have trouble with them.

When deciding on a menu, be aware of foods that are choking hazards (cut hot dogs lengthwise and grapes in half). You will probably be surprised at how much the children eat. They are like a small army and have big appetites.

Montessori lunch

The Donor needs by 11:15 a.m. The volunteer needs to arrive by 11:20. (Donor should have the food hot and ready to serve). Children begin lunch at 11:45 a.m. Serve the food on plates and our young lunch helpers will take them to the tables.

Remember, portion size is for children, so start small they can always have more! Some children will have two or three helpings depending on what is being served. We have bowls and serving spoons available for serving 2nd helpings.

Take extra food around shortly after serving to see if anyone wants seconds (no doubt they will). Remember to serve the downstairs class. Check to see that a child has tried at least one bite of everything before serving seconds.

If a child has only eaten fruit and wants more, but has not touched his main dish, tell him he has to take a couple of bites of the main dish before you can give him seconds on fruit.

Important Timings and Cleanup Procedures

You may not have time to sit down with your child during the Montessori lunch. Please prepare him/her ahead of time for that possibility. Tell your child what you will be doing and that he/she may help take the plates to the tables with the other helpers if he/she likes.

The older children take the plates downstairs, as it is difficult for the younger ones to balance the plate and walk down the stairs).

After serving he/she will return to the playground with his/her classmates and come in at regular lunchtime. Please expect your child to follow the rules even though you are here. Let the teachers handle any transgressions.

Start to clean up while the children are finishing their lunch. The children will then start bringing up their plates, cups, and silverware. There is no need to wash the dishes in the sink or load the dishwasher.

Please make sure ALL food is put away before leaving. Leftovers can go into plastic bags or plastic containers. Ask if you need help. The teachers do not have time to finish cleaning up so please wipe down the stove and counter-tops.

If you cannot come in to serve the lunch but would like to donate a lunch, pizza is the way to go and is easy for the staff when there are no helpers. Just drop off 5 cheese pizzas and a bag of baby carrots between 11 and 11:30 Friday and we will do the rest. Make a note of that when you sign up.

If you have any questions please call the office. 748-1727

On behalf of the children and the staff, THANK YOU!

Menu Ideas For Montessori Lunch

Menu Ideas that satisfy Nutritional Food Grouping:

  • Pasta w/Marinara Sauce with Cucumber and Apple Slices
  • Cheese Pizza with Carrots and Fruit Salad
  • Mac and Cheese with Peas and Orange Slices
  • Meatballs with Waxed Beans and Pineapple bits
  • Chicken bites (breaded or grilled) with Banana Slices, Peas and Carrots
  • Bean and Cheese Quesadilla with Guacamole and Strawberries
  • Turkey and Cheese Sandwiches with Mixed Veggies and Green & Red Grapes (cut)
  • Turkey Lasagna with Mixed Green Salad, Peach Slices and Steamed Corn
  • Bean and Cheese Burritos ( mini) with Pears and Carrot/Raisin Salad
  • Cheese and Veggie Frittata with fruit

Breads/Rice can be included:

  • Pita wedges
  • Whole Wheat roll
  • Brown and White Rice
  • Biscuits and Corn Bread Muffins.

Be creative!