So far during the 2013-14 school year shorter lunches have been one of the most controversial changes for students.  But, was the change the best choice for the school?

Despite student complaints and displeasure, the decision to make lunch 35 minutes this year is one that is “not going to change,” Principal Patti Hamler said.

Based on the criteria Wake County Public Schools is supposed to meet for 1,000 hours of instructional time each year, revisions had to take place to meet these requirements.
“Every once and awhile you hear somebody say something about the 35 minute lunch, but it wasn’t personal for us. It’s all about instructional time,” Hamler said.

Hamler is aware that less time for off-campus lunch poses certain safety challenges.

“It is a safety issue if they’re coming in late, but I can’t tell you it’s any different than any other time,” Hamler said.

Another concern is the amount of tardies that will come with less time.

With a substantial amount of students liable to be tardy every day after the lunch period, will the policy be more lenient or stay the same?

“Those kids who are going to follow the rules and don’t want to be tardy will do just fine. It’s those who have difficulty following the rules anyway,” Hamler said.

I feel that the length of time between classes, which currently sits at seven minutes, should be reduced to allow more time lunch. I also support adding time to the end of the day. Adding 10 minutes to the end of the day only makes us get out at 2:28 rather than 2:18.

Such and end time surely leaves athletic teams time enough to prepare for competition. Yet such an alteration would add 10 minutes to lunch.

Which is more valuable to you: getting out 10 minutes earlier or having 10 minutes to digest your food.

Personally, I’ll take my downtime at lunch.