One Lunch is a unique privilege we enjoy as Deep Run students. However, every new school year comes with the same obligatory warning from administration: “One Lunch is a privilege that can be taken away.” While most of us haven’t made a habit of abusing this cherished hour-long lunch break, the threat of it being revoked still looms over the heads of many.
“I think [One Lunch] is overall really beneficial and an integral part of Deep Run’s student culture,” senior Steven Dong said. “It really makes our school unique compared to the rest in the county.”
As we make our way into this new school year, I’d like to take the opportunity to remind our readership of just how beneficial the One Lunch system is and why we must continue to take steps to preserve it.
One hour lunch blocks allow for students to receive proper nutrition. According to a publication issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), longer lunch periods are linked to increased nutrient consumption and significantly more balanced student diets. Shorter lunch breaks, including those seen in other Henrico County high schools, may leave students feeling rushed to choose and finish meals, compromising nutrition and wellness. Longer lunch breaks like our own provide students with more time to finish meals.
I’d also like to mention the academic and psychological benefits of One Lunch. Charlotte Frize, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Portland State University, found that prolonged breaks can improve moods, work performance, and overall well-being. One Lunch allows us to decompress and reset our brains in between large chunks of classes. It also has the benefit of allowing us to access most areas of the school during all sixty minutes of lunch
“One lunch allows for students to have freedom and allows them to have time for themselves, work on homework, and go to club meetings,” said junior Gillian Robertson.
Robertson speaks for many students who are continuing to enjoy one lunch and its many advantages. If we want to hold onto these benefits and pass them down to future Wildcats, we must continue to do our parts and use One Lunch for its intended purpose. By doing so, we can ensure that One Lunch remains a part of our school day.
And who knows? We may just inspire other Henrico County schools to implement similar One Lunch systems.
