Blackfoot High School’s change to its lunch schedule has sparked controversy among students who are struggling to adapt to the new system. Previously, students enjoyed a lunch period that ran from 11:35 AM to 12:51 PM, giving them ample time to eat, socialize, and relax. Now, with the new schedule, lunch is condensed to just 33 minutes, but students are required to spend an hour at school if the week follows a green banner schedule.
Many students are furious with the new Flex system.
One student Emma Jasso (12) stated, “I hate it with every bone in my body”
Yovani Serna (12) said, “It’s not fair how students with good grades don’t get as many hour lunches now.”
Despite the student backlash, Principal Roger Thomas has defended the decision. “Our goal with the new schedule is to maximize instructional time while still providing students with a break. We understand that change can be difficult, but we believe this will ultimately benefit the learning environment,” he explained.
The new system was put in place because some students need more help than others and therefore certain teachers are not able to participate in the hour lunches. The new system fixes that, allowing students and teachers to participate in hour lunches.
Thomas noted that the additional time at school allows for enhanced supervision and more structured activities during lunch. “We’re working to create more options for students to engage with each other and participate in clubs or sports during this hour,” he added.
As the school year progresses, both students and the administration are adjusting to the new schedule. The school is collecting feedback to assess the impact of the changes, with the hope of finding a balance that meets the needs of both students and staff.
Many teachers are happy but many students are furious. Despite their feelings, it seems like the system is working and students are getting the help they need along with the weekly hour lunch.
For now, the shift in lunchtime dynamics continues to be a hot topic at Blackfoot High School, with students yearning for the longer, more leisurely lunch periods of the past.
