Under pressure to increase students’ test scores, districts are cutting what they view as non-instructional time. Unfortunately, what often ends up cut are parts of the school day that allow students to unwind, refresh and get more out of their learning, such as recess and lunch.
In some schools, a 20-minute period of time for lunch includes getting students to the lunchroom, standing in line, eating and then cleaning up after themselves. Often, simple changes that increase lunchroom efficiencies and shorten lines can add precious minutes to a students’ eating period.
