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.