Actressdancer
New Member
High schoolers in some districts can't take the time for lunch.
http://www.virginiateacheronline.com/editor/lunch-is-not-an-elective/
http://www.virginiateacheronline.com/editor/lunch-is-not-an-elective/
Is lunch an elective?
- Thread starter Actressdancer
- Start date
Emma's#1fan
Active Member
Plain and simply, our system is warped!
Why doesn't that system offer high schoolers the chance to take summer school, instead? It's crazy to ask them to give up lunch!
It's quite true that 4 years isn't enough time to take all the higher level courses. My daughter wants to take all the math offered at the highest levels, and she simply can't do it during regular class time. The prerequisite for one course is offered in the same semester as the actual course! But around here the solution isn't giving up lunch, it's summer school.
Summer school is paid for by the school board, so it doesn't cost parents anything. Kids take it in order to lighten their work load during the regular year, or to get prereqs for higher level courses (like my daughter), or to catch up on credits they missed for whatever reason (say, they failed a grade).
(And I have it on good authority from older kids that summer school is a LOT better than regular school. The teachers are "nicer" and they "try to make it fun", and the curriculum is more focussed. Not to mention, no one minds a shorter day! :lol
It's quite true that 4 years isn't enough time to take all the higher level courses. My daughter wants to take all the math offered at the highest levels, and she simply can't do it during regular class time. The prerequisite for one course is offered in the same semester as the actual course! But around here the solution isn't giving up lunch, it's summer school.
Summer school is paid for by the school board, so it doesn't cost parents anything. Kids take it in order to lighten their work load during the regular year, or to get prereqs for higher level courses (like my daughter), or to catch up on credits they missed for whatever reason (say, they failed a grade).
(And I have it on good authority from older kids that summer school is a LOT better than regular school. The teachers are "nicer" and they "try to make it fun", and the curriculum is more focussed. Not to mention, no one minds a shorter day! :lol
2littleboys
Moderator
I'll be the oddball.
Just as there's a perception about kids who drop out and get a GED (even if they have a good reason), there's also a perception about kids who take summer school. When I was in school, I even tried taking trig as an 8th period, after-school, elective course one-on-one with a teacher, but that simply didn't work. I had to have a job, and I had to go to rehearsals/events for my music classes (I eventually majored in music). Summer school wasn't an option, because busses were limited as well. I'm sure things have changed in 20 years, but for some kids, summer school isn't an option, especially if there aren't enough students interested in a particular course to warrant paying a teacher, and "in the real world", they'll be eating lunch at their cubical/office anyway. My dh does it all the time, and he's at the top of the food chain. It isn't limited to lower level jobs.
Honestly, taking away lunch for certain students who choose that course load doesn't bother me near as much as taking away recess from younger kids or gym class from older ones. I've eaten dinner and breakfast many, many times while working on a homework project, so why should lunch be any different? I always thought of the lunch hour as a waste of time anyway.
Just as there's a perception about kids who drop out and get a GED (even if they have a good reason), there's also a perception about kids who take summer school. When I was in school, I even tried taking trig as an 8th period, after-school, elective course one-on-one with a teacher, but that simply didn't work. I had to have a job, and I had to go to rehearsals/events for my music classes (I eventually majored in music). Summer school wasn't an option, because busses were limited as well. I'm sure things have changed in 20 years, but for some kids, summer school isn't an option, especially if there aren't enough students interested in a particular course to warrant paying a teacher, and "in the real world", they'll be eating lunch at their cubical/office anyway. My dh does it all the time, and he's at the top of the food chain. It isn't limited to lower level jobs.
Honestly, taking away lunch for certain students who choose that course load doesn't bother me near as much as taking away recess from younger kids or gym class from older ones. I've eaten dinner and breakfast many, many times while working on a homework project, so why should lunch be any different? I always thought of the lunch hour as a waste of time anyway.
Actressdancer
New Member
It's not the "taking away lunch" that bothers me... it's that students feel such insane pressure to take these crazy course loads that don't allow for lunch!
As to Summer School, at least in our district, everyone goes. It's what kids do while mom and dad work. It's to the point that if you don't go to Summer School, you're going to be behind the following year.
As to Summer School, at least in our district, everyone goes. It's what kids do while mom and dad work. It's to the point that if you don't go to Summer School, you're going to be behind the following year.
Not around here there isn't!
The majority of kids in the AP and gifted programs take summer school. That changes the public perception pretty quickly.
The credits are weighted exactly the same as regular year credits, and you can take Advanced or General courses, depending on what stream you're in. (College - ie. technical school - or University.)Our school district offers the same summer courses every year, so kids can easily plan several years ahead. It's not based on attendance numbers (except you should apply early, because they fill up).
And the bus system is excellent (though you wouldn't believe it to hear us complain!). There's no school busses for high school, unless the child is physically or (severely) mentally disabled, so most high schoolers have bus passes.
I do agree that it's worse taking away recess and gym, though. For us, gym is an elective and only a half-year at that. I wish my daughter could continue taking gym, but even with summer school she simply doesn't have the time. It would mean giving up "Parenting", and for some reason she's bound and determined to take that course. I suppose it bodes well for my chances of becoming a grandmother some day!
fortressmom
New Member
What's really crazy to me is the pressure the kids are under to take so many higher level courses when (at least here) the credit given is no different from the regular classes. It's all turned into such a sickening game and the victims are our kids.
Meg2006
New Member
Ok, I actually think I'm on the fence here. DH took every course offered in Highschool. Every one. Regular level Math, english, science, and College levels too. He had to work through his lunch in order to accomplish it. Yes, he would sit through lunch and work on homework, read a textbook, and study. Was there much eating going on? Only enough to fill his stomach and be on his way to the next class. What's the difference from doing that, to eating lunch in a classroom or in teh hallway? Kids do it anyway. What will you do? Outlaw books in the lunchroom? A "no study" period for lunch? Do I approve of this. No. Not altogether. It worked for my husband, he got many honors and fantastic grades and he got a 29 on his ACT's (much better than I got). However, tihs would never fly for our kids.
Actressdancer
New Member
The real heart of the issue is that kids feel like things like honors and fantastic grades and a 29 on their ACTs are more important than a health break; and that our society, in general, agrees with those kids.
azhomeschooler
New Member
I find it interesting to see summer school as a time to get ahead. The 3 school districts in AZ that I have had interactions with (as a student, teacher, or parent observer) only offer summer school to students who are academically behind. In fact, when I taught, it was not something parents chose, it was offered to only a few students per class (teachers had to choose who would benefit and were struggling).
I know when I was a student, not everyone ate every day. Sometimes, kids just ate more of a snack, or nothing at all. I would have gladly given up lunch to sit in a class (especially if you were allowed to eat in class). I was not a very social person, and found lunch to be boring most of the time. Once again, it comes down to everyone is different. What may work for some may not work for others.
I know when I was a student, not everyone ate every day. Sometimes, kids just ate more of a snack, or nothing at all. I would have gladly given up lunch to sit in a class (especially if you were allowed to eat in class). I was not a very social person, and found lunch to be boring most of the time. Once again, it comes down to everyone is different. What may work for some may not work for others.
Interestingly, my son came home in fine temper today because he missed lunch and it was "all his teacher's fault!"
His teacher had him writing a math test at lunch today, because it was scheduled for tomorrow when my son will be absent. My son didn't bring his lunch, because he didn't realize that he could eat lunch while writing the test. When he realized he could, he wanted to run off and get it. Of course the teacher wouldn't let him (because then he wouldn't have enough time to write the test). My son complained that he's hypoglycemic and HAS to eat lunch (true, actually). The teacher gave him a couple of granola bars and told him to keep writing the test.
Granola bars are, of course, sugary, so my son ate them, but he wasn't happy about it. In fact, knowing the boy, I suspect he was downright ungrateful.
Honestly, I'm on the teacher's side here. She's doing him a favour by letting him write the test early instead of giving him a zero for missing it. And she gave him granola bars, probably out of her own lunch. AND he's being a pill about it. I gave him a piece of my mind about that.
But what it really comes down to is you don't get between a boy and his lunch. If they ever tried to force him to give up lunch at his school, he'd probably come back home to learn (ohhh... an upside! :lol.
His teacher had him writing a math test at lunch today, because it was scheduled for tomorrow when my son will be absent. My son didn't bring his lunch, because he didn't realize that he could eat lunch while writing the test. When he realized he could, he wanted to run off and get it. Of course the teacher wouldn't let him (because then he wouldn't have enough time to write the test). My son complained that he's hypoglycemic and HAS to eat lunch (true, actually). The teacher gave him a couple of granola bars and told him to keep writing the test.
Granola bars are, of course, sugary, so my son ate them, but he wasn't happy about it. In fact, knowing the boy, I suspect he was downright ungrateful.
Honestly, I'm on the teacher's side here. She's doing him a favour by letting him write the test early instead of giving him a zero for missing it. And she gave him granola bars, probably out of her own lunch. AND he's being a pill about it. I gave him a piece of my mind about that.
But what it really comes down to is you don't get between a boy and his lunch.
If they ever tried to force him to give up lunch at his school, he'd probably come back home to learn (ohhh... an upside! :lol.Mom2scouts
New Member
My oldest son went to PS and he didn't have time for lunch his senior year. He had to have special permission and I had to sign a paper saying I was OK with it. My son had a very demanding schedule that included several AP classes, band, and a vocational electronics program. He also attended summer school one year to get an easy required class out of the way so he could take a more demanding schedule. It was his own choice and he wanted to get into a very selective university, so I didn't have a problem with it. Fortunately, his vocational teacher allowed him to go to the lunchroom and bring back some food to eat in the class. Everyone in that class worked in their own space and at their own pace so it wasn't really disruptive to the class.
Meg2006
New Member
DH did all that work and skipped his lunches so he could get into a good college and get a decent job so he could support his future family. (Plus, I feed him so good now, you'd never guess he skipped all those lunch breaks.
lol )
Emma's#1fan
Active Member
What entertains me is that we have people out in the world pushing for schools to provide healthy lunches. Skipping lunch is just as unhealthy as eating little or eating junk. When I consider the amount of time a student spends at the school, a snack and dinner just doesn't cut it in my book. In an article that was conducted on high school students in our district, most did not eat breakfast. If they ate, it was a bar of some sort. So most high school students around here are not eating a healthy breakfast, if they eat at all. Those who want to achieve something in life, skip lunch or eat while studying. They do not give their minds time to rest. Then they go home and eat dinner and do more studying. :?
I do not care if they do not appear to be unhealthy. I can't believe this can possibly be healthy on the body or mind. I do not care how well they eat as adults, how can at least four years of this be healthy and not have long term effects? We are talking about growing bodies. This is a crucial time physically. We all pay the piper for our eating habits now or later.
I hear what you are saying Amie. This isn't so much about the eating. It is about raising a generation of people who would place a better future over health. It is about students HAVING TO PICK between a better future or their health; mental and physical. There is nothing wrong in wanting to make a great future for ourselves so we can provide a home for our family. That is great. I pray Ems marries such a man one day. A man who thinks of his future family even before he is married is a good one. The problem is that they HAVE to pick between a sit down lunch, let your mind rest, and fill your bones and organs with nutrients, or miss lunch so they can provide for their furture family. If the system cut out all the extra garbage that political correctness thinks should be taught in school, maybe our students would have time for both.
I do not care if they do not appear to be unhealthy. I can't believe this can possibly be healthy on the body or mind. I do not care how well they eat as adults, how can at least four years of this be healthy and not have long term effects? We are talking about growing bodies. This is a crucial time physically. We all pay the piper for our eating habits now or later.
I hear what you are saying Amie. This isn't so much about the eating. It is about raising a generation of people who would place a better future over health. It is about students HAVING TO PICK between a better future or their health; mental and physical. There is nothing wrong in wanting to make a great future for ourselves so we can provide a home for our family. That is great. I pray Ems marries such a man one day. A man who thinks of his future family even before he is married is a good one. The problem is that they HAVE to pick between a sit down lunch, let your mind rest, and fill your bones and organs with nutrients, or miss lunch so they can provide for their furture family. If the system cut out all the extra garbage that political correctness thinks should be taught in school, maybe our students would have time for both.
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Naturallia
New Member
I think this speaks to issues beyond just lunch. I am a very divided person. On the one hand I think that working hard is a very good character trait. On the other hand, I think our society puts hard work above relationships and living a healthy life. I really think we need balance.
I think kids should not push themselves so hard that they are not eating at regular intervals. I also think they should have regular breaks to decompress. The mind needs breaks from intense activity.
I have heard in other cultures they are not so obsessed with time schedules and racing ahead and getting everything done yesterday. I think here in the US we have devalued rest and play and just "being" to such a low place that people feel guilty doing it. That doesn't mean there aren't lazy people, but the people who truly aren't lazy feel lazy when they take breaks.
I fall into this category. I am not lazy overall, although I have very lazy periods. I think it comes about from overdoing at times to the point that I just want to throw in the towel and quit. Then when I do take a break, I feel guilty or I constantly think about what I should be doing.
I think kids should not push themselves so hard that they are not eating at regular intervals. I also think they should have regular breaks to decompress. The mind needs breaks from intense activity.
I have heard in other cultures they are not so obsessed with time schedules and racing ahead and getting everything done yesterday. I think here in the US we have devalued rest and play and just "being" to such a low place that people feel guilty doing it. That doesn't mean there aren't lazy people, but the people who truly aren't lazy feel lazy when they take breaks.
I fall into this category. I am not lazy overall, although I have very lazy periods. I think it comes about from overdoing at times to the point that I just want to throw in the towel and quit. Then when I do take a break, I feel guilty or I constantly think about what I should be doing.