In the middle of the school day, students have a one hour period to study, eat lunch, and play on the field. Currently, the lunch schedule is fifteen minutes for eating lunch and a fifteen minute period for field time, however students can continue to eat during the second fifteen minute spell. If a student orders catered lunch they have to wait in the lunch line, or if a student wants a snack from the vending machine they have to go to their locker to grab their phone. Consequently, by the time most of these students get their lunch, they only have a few minutes to eat. This leads many students to express their worries about the short lunch period.

      Eighth grader Dwyer Kaminski says, “…It takes me time to get my lunch and then go to our lunch table so basically we only get ten minutes for lunch.” She feels a thirty minute lunch time, specifically set for eating, would be more appreciated as she enjoys playing in the field.

    On the contrary, Bennett Hamilton, a new eighth grade student at The Benjamin Middle School, says, “I think lunch is actually the perfect amount of time to eat because then students can play on the field after lunch or eat during field time.” This viewpoint, however, is not widely agreed on among the student body because students who want to have a break and play on the fields but are slow eaters are not able to do this. 

    Many students feel a longer lunch period would be beneficial as this situation is not just about eating. A longer lunch time also means a longer break in the middle of the day, giving students and faculty time for their minds to rest. This could be an advantage for students and teachers, resulting in a more focused and productive learning experience for all. Additionally, the break in the middle of the day gives students time to socialize with others, as they should not be doing this during class.

    Seventh grader Khloe Williams adds, “I think [lunch is] too short. We sho

uld have at least thirty minutes to eat lunch.” She mentioned how she often sees students eating during field time and thinks it is because the actual lunch period is not long enough. Khloe feels it is unfair how some students have to continue eating lunch even during field time. 

    A longer lunch time could be beneficial to the students and faculty because it allows time for the mind to rest, students to socialize and to have time to play on the fields.