Lafayette Parish School Board

202 Rue Iberville
Lafayette, LA 70508

Re: Request to Review Lunch and Recess Schedules for Healthier, Happier Students

Dear Members of the Lafayette Parish School Board,

We  are writing as parents who cares deeply about our children’s well-being and learning environment. I respectfully ask that the Board take a closer look at our current school schedules—especially lunch and recess—to make sure students have enough time to eat, unwind, and recharge during the day.

 
What Teachers and Parents Are Seeing

At recent parent–teacher conferences, one common message stood out: teachers are worried about how little downtime students have. Many said that kids move straight from one structured task to another with hardly a chance to relax, talk, or simply take a breath. The result, they shared, is more stress, less focus, and students who seem tired and disengaged.

Students themselves say they feel rushed—often with only ten minutes to eat and just fifteen minutes of recess before returning to class. Many parents and teachers agree that giving students a little more time to eat, relax, and connect would make a big difference in their mood, focus, and overall success in the classroom.

 
Current Schedules Leave Little Room to Rest or Refuel

Experts recommend at least 20 minutes of seated lunch time and 20 minutes of recess each day. Other states like Arkansas, Illinois, Washington and Texas already meet or exceed those standards, recognizing that a well-rested and socially engaged child learns better. Many schools there offer 30-minute lunches and 30–40-minute recesses.
🔗 Arkansas Code Title 6, Education § 6-16-102 (FindLaw)

Recess Legislation - The Boys Initiative

Federal regulations also emphasize that lunch periods should be long enough for every student to be served and have time to actually eat.

The School Nutrition Association’s 2018 national survey found that while most schools schedule about 25–30 minutes for lunch, much of that time is spent waiting in line or walking to and from the cafeteria—leaving little time to sit and enjoy a meal.

Short lunch windows make it challenging for cafeteria staff who are doing their best to feed hundreds of students quickly, especially as schools add healthier meals like fresh fruits and vegetables that naturally take more time to eat.

The CDC’s 2019 brief, Making Time for School Lunch, recommends that students have at least 20 minutes of actual seated time to eat. The SNA and USDA also encourage schools to build in longer meal periods so kids have time to eat healthy foods and return to class focused and ready to learn.
🔗 State Laws Are Associated with School Lunch Duration and Promotion Practices – PMC

 
Why It Matters

Research is clear—kids need time to move, socialize, and reset. When they have that, their attention, emotional regulation, and even test performance improve. A short, unhurried break to eat and play can make the entire school day more productive and positive.

As adults, we’re given 30 minutes to an hour for lunch during a workday to rest and refocus. Imagine if we were told to stay quiet all day and eat in ten minutes—it wouldn’t work for us, and it doesn’t work for kids either.

 
Quiet Doesn’t Always Mean Learning

Too much emphasis on “quiet time” can actually work against learning. Real education happens through curiosity, conversation, and connection. Children need space to laugh, play, and talk with their peers. These moments build communication skills, creativity, and resilience that last a lifetime.

A Carnegie Mellon University study showed that students learn more effectively in interactive classrooms—where discussion and collaboration are encouraged—than in silent, lecture-only settings.
🔗 New Research Shows Learning Is More Effective When Active – Carnegie Mellon University

Simple, Practical Improvements

I respectfully ask the Board to consider the following steps:

Guarantee at least 20 minutes of actual seated lunch time for all students (about a 30-minute total period to allow for serving time).
Increase recess to a minimum of 20 minutes per day, as national health experts recommend but many studies suggest up to 40 minutes for optimal recharge. In the paper Revisiting Recess: A Mixed‑Methods Study to Understand School Recess Policies and Practices the authors describe a case in Arkansas where schools adopted 40 minutes of daily recess and found many positive outcomes (improved focus, social behavior) though some scheduling challenges were noted. Shape America. The Howie et al. systematic review also highlights that in qualitative studies, recess durations of ~40 minutes were seen in schools reporting strong benefits, and that “the optimal daily recess duration may be greater than 20 minutes.” PMC+1
Promote a balanced school environment where play, creativity, and social time are recognized as vital parts of learning—not distractions from it.
 
Louisiana’s Rules Give You Flexibility

Louisiana law requires 360 minutes of instructional time each day, not counting recess. That means schools already have the flexibility to adjust lunch and recess times without losing instruction.
🔗 Louisiana Revised Statutes § 17:154.1 – Louisiana State Legislature

One way to make that happen is by rethinking how “skinny” class periods are used. These shorter blocks often allow for extra electives or interventions but can unintentionally squeeze out downtime. Reallocating some of that time toward lunch or recess could restore a healthier balance between academics and well-being.

Even small changes make a difference. While there isn’t a study focused specifically on ending class five or ten minutes earlier, research shows that the quality of instruction and transitions matters more than the exact number of minutes. Schools that give students smoother transitions and more meaningful breaks report better focus and fewer behavioral issues.
🔗 Making Time for Well-Being – ASCD

Allowing a few extra minutes for lunch or recess transitions won’t take away from learning—it can actually help students come back to class more attentive and ready to learn.

 
In Closing

These changes require little to no financial investment but could have a huge impact on our students’ health, happiness, and academic success. Our children deserve time to eat without rushing, play without guilt, and learn with joy.

Thank you for your time, your dedication, and your continued service to the families of Lafayette Parish.

Warmly,
Nicole Higgins (parent of a 6th and 11th grader)