One highschool experience most students want to feel is the separate lunches you get freshman and sophomores, juniors and seniors. Some schools have the combined lunches of all four grades. Although separate lunches can have both a positive and a negative effect, overall the system of separate lunches requires careful consideration of both negative and positive benefits, it is something that should be taken into consideration.
In my personal opinion, I think the lunches together are a good idea, for instance the staff not having to clean up twice as much mess and if you have a significant other or family member, you can have lunch with them which allows you to spend more time with them. Although it can be bad due to kids wanting to resort to violence with other students. It is a great idea due to fostering social connections and having an opportunity to bond with more people, not just the friends you have.
A couple of pros that separate lunches can have are a reduced crowding, with less students in the cafeteria, as well as there being more supervision with smaller groups to look after. One last pro for this is lunches together means that teachers are available during lunch hours which means you can go get the help you want without worrying about disturbing the class. The cons for these lunches are much different, although divided friend groups, being friends with underclassmen or upperclassmen means you can’t hang out with them during lunch.
I believe that this makes it harder on staff due to them having to watch after more students and be cautious about potential altercations happening between students. However, it also makes it easier due to being able to keep all eyes on them at once. And this makes it easy on the lunch ladies not having to worry about setting up the rest of the food during the passing period for the other lunch hours.
Although this can be challenging due to limited resources with certain schools, in essence while separate lunches offer a more organized and less stressful dining experience this can also lead up to social challenges that might outweigh benefits. It’s an issue that requires careful consideration and planning of both the pros and cons.
