As the school bell rings, Alexandria City High School students rush to the doors of the cafeteria. All of them pulling out their phones and opening their Minga ID’s before waiting to be let in. Lunch...

Long lines, barriers and restricted movement are some of the challenges students face during the lunch block.

Although the push for a 74-minute lunch program wasn’t successful, there’s a lot we can learn from it. I’ve been on the Student Lunch Committee since its foundation. Here’s what I saw.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has somewhat subsided, ACHS's free lunch program has ended. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) disbanded the coronavirus relief program in which people ages 2-18 were able to receive free lunch nationally. 

The first day of school usually consists of a lot of stressful and confusing situations, however, most were more alarmed by the end of Lunch and Learn. Lunch and Learn was a huge part of our school last year. Lunch and Learn was a 74-minute universal lunch block that gave students and staff freedom to choose their activities. Although a primary benefit was giving time for students and teachers to meet, Lunch and Learn benefited students in a variety of other ways. This school year, Lunch and Learn is gone, and students are divided between 3 different lunch blocks. In its absence, teachers and students have strong opinions.