SPLIT LUNCH

6th November 20120, by Yoona P. (G11)

Korea International School implemented split lunch to prevent the exposure of Covid-19. For South Korea, the government has adjusted to restrict operations of restaurants, including school cafeterias, bakeries, and coffee shops, which started on August 28th. All KISJ divisions, including elementary, middle, and high schools, followed the new rule of cafeteria use for the safety of students and faculty members.

Covid-19, which has spread since the previous winter and keeps on spreading in the present, isn't giving indications of lessening. The infection that causes Covid-19 principally spreads through the contact with an infected individual coughs, sniffles, or exhales. Because of this confounded circumstance, the Korean Ministry of Education coordinated all schools in the Global Education City to avoid physical contact. For the lunch time in school, all students and faculty members should actively follow the rigorous lunch rules because the cafeteria is the only place where people are allowed to take off their masks. Usually, a large number of people let their guard down in the cafeteria. Under these situations, schools have no choice but to impose stronger restrictions on students. All the students and faculty members are responsible for faithfully following the new expectations of cafeteria use.

The split lunch schedule, practiced for the community's safety, requires students and faculty members to have a greater sense of duty and sincerity than usual. However, questions are raised about students’ health. As the lunch schedule splitted by the class in period 3 and 7, the half of students and faculty members are required to eat late lunch, which is from 1:15 pm to 2:12 pm. This new schedule worries both students and their parents because lots of students are struggling with late lunch, especially the students who have scheduled both A and B days for late lunch. This situation is also applied to faculty members.

All students are responsible for upholding the new lunch procedures and following teacher directions. Therefore, KISJ has uploaded new expectations for students and faculty members. First, all students must walk past the temperature check before going to the cafeteria. Second, preview the lunch menu before going to the cafeteria to avoid crowding at screens. Third, line up in 2 lines based on food selection, and stand between the separating lines for social distancing. Fourth, apply hand sanitizer upon entry to the cafeteria. Fifth, wear the mask unless people are seated and eating. Last, all food and utensils will be dispensed by cafeteria staff, and never sharing food and utensils.

According to an interview with student Becky N. (G.11), she states “I have late lunch for both A and B days. No matter how much the school system allows us to eat snacks in the third and seventh periods, hunger cannot be helped. Also, it is difficult for students living in dormitories to bring snacks.” Not only are the late lunch students starving during the lesson, but also there is the main problem of split lunch. Kyumin K. (G.11) says, “If you eat late lunch, you cannot even eat properly because there are not many ingredients left. The cafeteria staffs are hard to control the amount of food for students who eat early lunch, which causes the problem for students who eat late lunch. The late lunch students often do not even have a chance to eat school meals. The situation is the same even if I go to the Deli. Popular snacks sold in Deli, such as sandwiches, cookies, and banana milk, are dominated by early lunch students.” As the late lunch students’ complaining voices are arousing, the school is doing its best to find a solution.

Due to the Covid-19, all students in KISJ should ceaselessly follow the split lunch schedule until the end of the virus. The end could be after students graduate, which is the worst. The cafeteria, which had always been filled with student sharing, communicating, and smiling, has become quiet, but everyone is contributing to future happiness. The present suffering will be remedial to future individuals, communities, and society. All in all, students and faculty members should faithfully engage in government guidelines around the world. Let’s go DRAGONS!