Lunch Procedures: Need for a Change?

Going into the 2021 school year, students expected many changes. However, they may have overlooked changes in lunch procedures until they were faced with new rules that seemed outrageous. If it were a normal year, students could sit in the cafeteria, visit the library or the roof, and pretty much have free reign at lunch. But this year, with COVID, advisories and grades are assigned different areas in the cafeteria, auditorium, and assorted hallways, and have seats that are described as permanent for the year. With these situations, not everyone wants to follow the rules, especially if they are not seated with their friends. Mr. Gilken, high school dean, is in charge of lunch procedures and has the closest look at the seating process.

In the school district, regulations and demands are different every day. When asked if there were any foreseeable changes in lunch rules Mr. Gilken explained that the rules were not decided by our school. Lunch at Masterman is based on school district protocols and will not change until the district changes them. In the beginning of the year, there was high stress for both staff and students. According to Gilken, “we always knew that we had to do something with lunch, and the middle school had assigned seating that was given by teachers, so we made a system that we put in place using that spreadsheet, so we could allow everyone to pick their eating spot. But unfortunately, that spot is permanent.” Mr. Gilken added that the issue with permanent seats is people’s opinions of each other can change, and eating lunch with that person may be challenging. He also stresses that lunch is a relaxing time for students, and that he tries to make sure students don’t get in trouble during lunch. “What we're asking is that you follow the spirit of lunch, and understand that while you're eating, it's set up to keep everyone safe.”

Arguably the most important factor is keeping everyone safe. At Masterman, luckily, there have only been a few COVID cases where students have quarantined until they tested negative. For those who sit near a student who tests positive, the policy is less clear. According to Gilken, there is a “test to stay” program, whereby vaccinated students can take a rapid test in the nurse’s office. If the students test negative, they can stay at school, but if they test positive they have to quarantine for 5-7 days. This approach proved effective, and Mr. Gilken owes part of this success to the students. “I think that's a testament to the students, and people doing what we're asking, so that I really appreciate.”

The efforts of the study body to abide by the lunch procedures are appreciated by Masterman staff, who know that this situation isn’t ideal. Many students have been thinking about the lunch set up and wondering why they can’t sit with their friends. A sophomore, Massimo Mejia, wants a more social method. He thinks the procedure keeps everyone safe, but would prefer talking with his friends that sit far away. He worked with sophomore Henry Anastasi Scott on the idea.

Then, Massimo made a proposal to Mrs. Harrison as well as Mr. Gilken trying to negotiate seating leniency and flexibility: “So my suggestions are first giving the ability to students to be comfortable with their seating. So allowing them choice, so they will be more likely to stay in their seats, and then also flexibility because people’s opinions change and that’s important to keep in mind.” He voiced the opinions of many students who just sit on their phones to communicate rather than talking with other friends. Through his efforts, Massimo received information on possible changes in the controversial lunch procedures. “I wrote a presentation and made a proposal about how to change the lunch seats so that hopefully students will be able to sit in any seat within the room where they’re assigned. Then, after a month, they can changes seats again. I also went through the ideas that the administration was going through in terms of reprimanding students in the current system. We got approved for that proposal and that’s going into motion by next week.”