Our school is K-12 (yeep a rare one at that too) and somehow some way these kids all get to eat and be on their way. The issue we have is lunch begins at 11:00 and goes till 1:30! I'm sure if a magic fairy could give us more room for the students to fit three grades in in stead of just two it could go a little faster BUT...! My daughter does have 20 minutes to sit down and eat and of course they LOVE to visit but sixth grade rarely goes outside so this is their only social time.
One mom I know that fought and fought figured she may as well pack their lunches so she knows they have the time they need. In the long run she has actually saved money and time doing this and it has made her a better shopper AND since their mornings are rushed with school and work her kids help with packing their lunch after supper. It works for her. "food" for thought [img]smile.gif[/img]

Our school has 30 minutes for lunch = 5 minutes to get through the line, 20 minutes to eat and 5 minutes to get trays put up and ready for the teacher to pick them up. I personally think it's enough time. The problem we have is that we are a K-2 school and our kids would rather talk and play rather than eat. We've had parents complain when they only get 5-10 minutes to eat. We do not give the children extra time if the teacher is late for whatever reason. We do allow extra time if our cafeteria runs out of food in the line (which has happened, but maybe once or twice a year). It is the teachers responsibility to get them there on time.

Hi Jeeper. Our elementary school is going to change lunch schedules come the Fall. Traditionally, for the younger grades in particular, the kids have had a morning recess of 15-20 minutes and then approximately 15 minutes for lunch and 15 minutes for recess. It's been tough this year in New England as weather conditions called for A LOT of indoor recess!
Come Fall, the plan is for most days, to have a "working snacktime" in the morning (they'll have their snack while doing work at their desk) and then the extra time will be added to their lunch. This way, they'll have about a half-hour for lunch and then 15 minutes for recess.
One thing that I do want to mention is our Kinderegarteners' lunchtime program. We've teamed up our 4th Graders as "Lunch Buddies" to each Kindergartener. The 4th Grader helps Kindergarteners with everything from buying their lunch to opening their milk. It removes an anxiety for the Kindergarteners and they become good friends... [img]smile.gif[/img]

I understand what you are saying my son is in the third grade and they have the same issue. After hearing my sons compaints and well seeing what goes on when you try to feed K-8th grade in such a short time. After realizing that I was not the only one I finally spoke with the principle. Our children can now explain that they just got their lunch are allowed to finish it and return directly to class.

Hope this helps!

In our school our kids get 30 minutes for lunch - 5 minutes to get through line, 5 minutes to prepare to go back to class and 20 minutes to eat. It is usually more than enough time. Most of our subs are good about getting them there on time.

I was at my sons school yesterday, and what a hectic time(stressful also) during the lunch period. By the time he sat down to eat, he only had 10 mins, to basically swallow his food whole. It seemed the teacher and sub teacher were not all organized. I think children (elementary) need a full rest & relax period, and maybe the teachers would benefit as well as the children in the afternoon as far as learing goes. Has anyone else experience this? I was really upset when I say the children scrambling around like chickens with there heads cut off :confused: