Is 20 minutes enough time to eat lunch? Parents in a suburban school district are saying no after learning the lunch period for their middle school students was shortened.
Carlos Lopez is among a group of parents not happy about the change to the lunch schedule, shortening the period from 30 minutes to 20 minutes, at Daniel Wright Junior High School, situated within Lincolnshire Prairie View School District 103.
“I’m mostly frustrated, disappointed that the administration seems to not share our concerns,” he said.
He and his wife found out about the shortened lunch period from his oldest son, who is a seventh grader at the school.
“We find that that half of his lunch was eaten, the other half he ended up throwing it away and we asked him what happened and he said, ‘well, lunch period is only 20 minutes now—I didn’t have time to finish my lunch,’” he said.
The district confirmed the lunch period was shortened from 30 minutes this year. Parents told NBC Chicago they weren’t notified and are worried about the mental health and well-being of students having to rush through their lunch meal.
“The data is out there, the research is out there and the fact that they’re not listening to it is problematic,” said Jackie Lopez, parent.
More than 400 parents have signed a petition calling on the district to restore the 30-minute lunch period. The superintendent said the change was necessary to address several concerns, including giving students more time during passing periods.
The superintendent in a statement told NBC Chicago:
“We recognize that any change to the school schedule can be an adjustment, and we have heard concerns from some parents and students about the shorter lunch period. We have made an effort to listen to those concerns and work directly with families.”
Administrators said they have implemented ways for students to make the most of their lunch time, which includes dropping off lunch early and making lines more efficient.
Lopez and his wife plan to take their concerns directly to the school board meeting next week.
“It’s sad that our administrators and the board they don’t have this in the back of their mind that their job is to look after the wellbeing not only of our students mind for how they’re learning but also their mental health,” she said.
Parents argued students need their unstructured time.
“I don’t think the children appreciate or understand the mental, emotional, social, well being that’s being taken away from them,” he said.
Lopez said the district claimed the shorter lunch period will also help to address staffing.
“What’s more important? Is it $50,000 that the budget has to meet to make a teacher or is it our kids mental health you?” she said. “I think it’s a no-brainer of where their priority should be.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 20 minutes of seated time for students to eat their lunch and to relax between classes.
The Illinois State Board of Education said there is no minimum required duration for student lunch periods and that decisions regarding the amount of time allotted for lunch are made at the local school district level.
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