Daniel Wright students DO NOT have enough time to eat, recharge, and refocus in the midst of demanding school days.

We are asking Daniel Wright Junior High School and D103 to restore a full 30-minute lunch period for all Daniel Wright students. The current schedule has drastically reduced lunch periods for students from 30 minutes to approx 20 minutes, with the difference shifted to extend passing periods from two minutes to three minutes.  

Why 30 Minutes Matters

• 20 minutes just isn't enough. The CDC recommends at least 20 minutes of seated time — and notes that a 30-minute period is often necessary to allow time for walking into lunch, waiting in line, getting or heating up food, finding a seat, and cleaning up.
• Rushing to eat adds unnecessary stress. Forcing students to rush through meals removes one of the few low-stress parts of their day and adds pressure at a time that should offer relief.
• Lunch is their only break. With no traditional recess, lunch is the sole opportunity students have each day to eat, socialize, and get a break from increased academic demands.
• Mental breaks improve learning. A real break lets students reset and return to class ready to focus.
• State requirements do not force this tradeoff. Daniel Wright's current schedule already far exceed State minimums for classroom instruction.
• A 30-minute lunch is a minimum, not an ideal. Research on adolescent development increasingly supports unstructured breaks — like recess — even in middle school, for attention, mood, and social development. We are not asking for recess... We are asking for the minimum time students need to eat and reset during the school day they already have.  
• Neighboring schools make it work. Other middle schools successfully provide  25-30 minute lunch while maintaining passing periods of 3-4 minutes — showing that adequate lunch time and adequate passing time are not mutually exclusive.

This is not an either/or choice. The district can maintain a minimum of three-minutes for passing periods and restore a 30-minute lunch without compromising instructional requirements or standards.

Our Ask

Restore the 30-minute lunch period for students at Daniel Wright Junior High — while keeping the current three-minute passing periods.

Sign this petition to show your support. Our kids deserve both adequate time to get to and from class and adequate time to eat.