[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The faculty is voting on whether or not block lunches will be implemented and will end Friday afternoon.  According to Principal Scot Finch, 75 percent of the vote must be passed in order to enact the program.

If passed, the bell schedule will be modified with classes being two minutes shorter 88 minutes and passing period shifting from eight to seven. Lunch will fall between second and third period along with an additional 5-7 minute transition to third period.

Block lunches will make the lunch period one hour long in which the entire student body will eat at once, at staggered intervals. It will also provide students the opportunity to spend one half of the period attending tutoring sessions, club meetings, or any other school-related business, while the other half may be used for studying, socializing or eating lunch.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]

“These are some decisions you’ll have to make in college, figuring out where you’re going to be and what you want to do,” Finch said.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]“We’re trying to make it so [the schedule] is spread out,” Finch said. “I can’t promise there won’t be conflicts, as we have over 50 clubs here. But maybe that’s where a student can figure it out on their own. These are some decisions you’ll have to make in college, figuring out where you’re going to be and what you want to do. “

After Lewisville High School adopted the program last year for block lunches, Finch, along with a few assistant principals, toured the Lewisville campus in spring and decided that it may be a beneficial addition to the school. However, there were concerns about the logistics of having  all of the students at lunch during the same time.

“I guess some people have reassured me that we can do it,” Finch said. “First was the cafeteria manager, [Tasha] Alcala. I asked her, ‘Can you feed 2,400 students in an hour?’ and she said ‘No problem.’ I thought maybe she didn’t hear the question right, but she seemed pretty confident.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]If the vote passes, the administration will move to put block lunches into action, beginning with ordering furniture. It will take around 4 to 6 weeks for all the necessary furniture, such as table and chairs, to arrive.

“Once that furniture comes in we’ll be able to jump into it, but I [first] need to have places for students to sit since everybody’s going to have lunch all at one time,” Finch said. “We’ll spread [the furniture] down the gym hallway, upstairs, downstairs, outside the library window, along the main hallway and wherever we can.”

The freshman campus will also be voting on block lunches simultaneously. Although it is independent from the main campus, the voting requirements are the same a 75 percent majority in order for the administration to move forward. Freshmen will have to eat lunch at the Ninth Grade Campus, but will be allowed to come to the main campus for club meetings and tutorials.

“We’re hoping that the vote passes at both campuses so that we’re both on the same schedule,” Finch said. “If one passes, and the other doesn’t, I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_text_separator title=”Map for possible seating around the building” title_align=”separator_align_center”][vc_raw_html]JTNDaW1nJTIwc3R5bGUlM0QlMjJtYXgtd2lkdGglM0ExMDAlMjUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjIlMkYlMkZjZG4udGhpbmdsaW5rLm1lJTJGYXBpJTJGaW1hZ2UlMkY1NzE3NTU0NDQ4Njc5NTY3MzclMkYxMDI0JTJGMTAlMkZzY2FsZXRvd2lkdGglMjN0bC01NzE3NTU0NDQ4Njc5NTY3MzclM0IxMDQzMTM4MjQ5JTI3JTIyJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJhbHdheXNUaGluZ2xpbmslMjIlMkYlM0UlM0NzY3JpcHQlMjBhc3luYyUyMGNoYXJzZXQlM0QlMjJ1dGYtOCUyMiUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMiUyRiUyRmNkbi50aGluZ2xpbmsubWUlMkZqc2UlMkZlbWJlZC5qcyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRQ==[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Students were curious about the prospect of leaving campus during block lunches. However, the campus will remain closed during the block lunch system. According to Finch, there is a possibility for outdoor seating by the cafeteria.

“I think the students will like it,” Finch said. “It will give a chance for [them] to recharge themselves in the middle of the day.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]

“The whole reason we’re doing this is for students…that’s why I’m working so hard,” Finch said.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Since the beginning of the school year, word of block lunches has spread among the students, creating curiosity for what’s in store.

“The whole reason we’re doing this is for students, not for me, or for the teachers,” Finch said. “It will be able to help students who struggle in class and can get tutoring in the day. About 1,500 students rely on bus transportation to and from school so I want those students to get the opportunity to be involved [in the school], and that’s why I’m working so hard to do this.”

During the summer, teachers were told about block lunches and were asked to give feedback about the idea. They also received potential schedules and, according to Finch, the faculty has been giving positive responses. As the administration has drafted the block lunches proposal, Finch has high hopes for the policy’s enactment.

“I feel good about it, but I don’t know for sure until we vote,” Finch said. “I don’t want to count my chickens before they’ve hatched.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_text_separator title=”Comparison of lunches” title_align=”separator_align_center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Current Lunch Schedule:

• Separate timings (A, B, C and D)
• 30-minute time
• Food not allowed outside the cafeteria
• Library reserved for studying or classes
• No opportunity for tutorials
• Limited seating
• Class time is 90 minutes
• Passing period is 8 minutes
• Less teachers on duty

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Block Lunch Schedule:

• One-hour timing
• All student body eat at once
• Opportunity for tutorials/club meetings
• Food is allowed anywhere in the building (teacher discretion)
• Shorter class time (88 minutes)
• Shorter passing period (7 minutes)
• More teachers on duty

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