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If you've bought school lunch since Monday, January 6th, you have most certainly seen the new addition to the lines. Black ropes have been added to separate students into three sections; main lunch, deli, and grill. After the COVID-19 pandemic, school lunch became increasingly accessible for students, which seems like a great improvement, but it actually led to a surplus of students eating from the servery. This ultimately resulted in complaints regarding students stepping in front of each other and disrespecting the staff, so it was initially stated that the Snack Shack would be closed until students could prove their disciplinary development. This attempt did not create the desired change, ultimately leading Director of Food Services, Maura Crowley, to add these lines to "find a better way to get the students through the lunch lines. The crowded servery area made it difficult for students to access meals, and long lines led many students to skip lunch."

 

Questions of Efficiency and Effectiveness

 

This change came as a shock to many students on Monday, as Mrs. Crowley ushered people to the correct lines. The new addition left lines seemingly longer as they stretched beyond the doors to the service area. One student stated that she is "scared for popcorn chicken day," which is arguably the most popular day to get school lunch. She explained that "many students don't get their lunch until there's about 5 minutes left in the lunch period on popcorn chicken days." Mrs. Crowley has been great about receiving student feedback in the past, especially regarding meals on the menu. Back when the chicken enchilada empanada was first served, she offered an open ear for students who explained that they liked the item, and it began appearing more often on the monthly overview.

With this being said, Mrs. Crowley surely had the best intent for student success. However, some students argue that it is more of a problem with efficiency, as lunch lines are a timely ordeal. Could it be more beneficial to increase staff to improve speed? There are only two lines for the main lunch, which is not nearly enough on days like popcorn chicken or General Tso's chicken (a December favorite that has seemingly disappeared for the month of January). One of the main concerns within the lunch line is the idea of cutting. One would think that the dividers would eliminate this, but I have already seen one case of people deliberately walking in front of each other anyway. Students' claims that there has been no drastic change in efficiency force them to beg the question of whether it was worth the change or not.

 

Could This Be a Positive Change?

 

On the other hand, some students would argue that the lunch line addition may cause a decrease in commotion and confusion. The line could also lead to students getting their lunch more effectively and efficiently in the long term, which would result in being able to have more time to eat. Another positive change may be that students might not be as frustrated without all the pushing, shoving, and cutting there normally is, which would create a better mood overall. While I had previously mentioned the recent case of cutting, I must admit that I have seen a significant increase in respect for personal space and each other in the lunch line since the ropes were added. Lines may appear to be longer as they stretch out the service area, but I personally have found that wait times have decreased and organization has improved.

I have also noticed far less pushing and people getting squished since the new addition. Students' apprehension to the lines may be that we are not used to change and we simply need to be open-minded before placing a negative opinion on something. Mrs. Crowley stated that "they have improved student access to the serving areas and reduced noise, allowing the staff to hear orders more clearly and increasing efficiency." It is important to understand that the staff in the Canton Public School system want what is best for everyone, and this is an attempt to aid us. As a supporter of this new change, my only recommendation is to switch the location of the sides and the grill stations, as I believe it would provide even less crowding in the area. 

 

How Does It Affect You?

If you bring lunch to school daily, then this may not be a worry for you. But if you frequently get school lunch, this is a significant change to your routine. As far as permanence is concerned, Mrs. Crowley explained, "Our hope is that this will be a permanent solution. We may have to make some adjustments next year to the location of the different serving areas so students will be able to access more lunch choices." I highly recommend keeping an open mind and maintaining an optimistic attitude as we adapt to the new lines. Mrs. Crowley would like to tell students, "Please do not hesitate to contact the food service office or speak to any of the staff in the cafeteria to let us know how we are doing and what meals you would like to see on the menu in the future! We would love to hear from you!" I respect the voices and decisions of our staff and hope that this change will create a better experience for students and adults alike.