At Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Wednesday’s lunch is based off third period because it is a late start day. That means that those who have first lunch would go to lunch before their third. Anyone who has second lunch goes after third period is over.
The problem with this is that the lunch is too early. School starts at 9:50 am. First lunch begins at 11:28. That is only an hour and 38 minutes before lunch.
Because it is a late start day, this allows kids to have more time in the morning. Many kids who skip breakfast now have time to eat and sleep in. So, when a kid eats in the morning, they’ll need more time than an hour to get hungry again. So kids won’t get a lunch during their lunchtime, but when they’re actually hungry later, they’ll have nothing to eat.
Some kids don’t have a first period, a free period instead. If they had first lunch, they are only on campus for second period, which is about 40 minutes.
According to a former student at ERHS who was in the graduating class of 2022, Jackson Sage had mentioned their opinion.
“I remember on Wednesday their lunch was based off of fourth period. I had first, so after third, I got food. I preferred that then based off of third.” Sage said.
On common days, lunch is based off of fourth period, but because it’s not a shortened day, kids have to wait longer to eat. Making kids tired, exhausted, and grumpy. They can’t focus on schoolwork or the education they need.
This is why I believe the lunch schedule timing should be switched. On Wednesday, lunch should be based off of fourth period. On common days, it should be based off of third. This allows better timing for kids, and when they can eat, it also feels like a better pacing.
Michon Bush, a junior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, was asked her opinion on the matter.
“I like the idea of lunch being based off of fourth period on Wednesday. I’m never hungry at lunch, so I don’t usually get food cause then it would go to waste. Perhaps if it were based off of fourth, I would be hungry then instead of hungry during classes.” Bush said
