As students of Idaho Falls High School, my friends and I are personally impacted by the limited lunch break duration, which currently stands at 40 minutes, though soon it will be shortened to 35 minutes. This inadequate time often causes us to arrive late to our subsequent classes. We believe that extending the lunch break to anywhere between 45 and 60 minutes would greatly alleviate this issue.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, enough time for lunch is necessary to student health, providing not only sustenance but also a needed break from academic pressures (CDC, 2019). Therefore, we respectfully request that Idaho Falls High School increase our midday respite to 60 minutes. The institution would not only contribute to our academic performance but also endorse healthier school-day routines, reflecting the CDC's guidelines.

As stated by BYU News, lunchtime is an essential part of student’s well-being. “Our finding that loving lunchtime is consistently positively related to students’ sense of belonging underscores the importance of facilitating meaningful and integrated lunchtime experiences” (Stahl). Not having time to enjoy lunch and being rushed degrades from the solace of our break.

Lunch is also a downtime, prep time, and much-needed break for our teachers. They will have more time mentally and physically refresh.  Educators can also use this extra time to tutor students who need assistance and prepare for class. 

These reasons just bolster our case, since the campus is also overcrowded, making it nearly impossible for students to eat at the school. Despite this, the limited time allotted for lunch doesn't give students enough time to leave campus, get food, and make it back in time. A lack of space and time hinders our ability to enjoy a break, and impacts our energy and focus for the rest of the day. 

We urge you to stand with us in promoting this much-needed change to find the right balance between our academic commitments and wellbeing. Please, sign this petition.