This issue I bring to your attention personally concerns me and the rest of the student body at my school. We are allotted no more than 15 minutes for our lunch period, and sometimes less owing to line times. Consequently, many students are left with insufficient time to consume their meals and are faced with the disheartening prospect of discarding their uneaten food. They then have to endure the rest of the school day on an empty stomach. This not only hampers their academic performance but also has an impact on their overall health and well-being.

We, therefore, call on the courts to enforce the Public Education Department's (PED) policy 6.10.5, section F, which clearly stipulates that schools must provide each student with a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch, or at least 20 minutes once they are seated.

This policy exists with a vision that no student should be denied the right to a relaxed, nutritious meal. Numerous studies have underscored the importance of a full meal for a student's health and academic success. The American Academy of Pediatrics states in a policy statement that short lunch periods in schools interfere with students' ability to consume an adequate, nutritious meal (Pediatrics Vol. 134, Issue 2).

The enforcement of this policy in its true sense would ensure that the students in New Mexico, and specifically those in my school, are given the basic human right to enjoy their meal without feeling rushed. I urge you to lend your voice to this significant cause and ensure that our children are given the nourishment and energy they need to excel. Sign this petition and join us in championing the enforcement of PED's policy 6.10.5 section F. Every signature counts! Let students take time to eat!