As we enter Oregon's rainy season we're adapting our lunch strategies. During 4th and 5th periods we have a combination of outdoor band class, PE classes, recess, and lunch all competing for space. It's an adventure on a sunny day, but we really have to get creative on rainy days. Several families have expressed an interest in knowing more about lunch and recess.
Pre-COVID middle schoolers had a 30 minutes lunch period. At most schools the first 10 minutes were required to be spend in the cafeteria, then students could choose to either stay in the cafeteria, go outside, go to the library, or gather with friends in a designated hallway. This year is different because we are using mitigation strategies to prevent the spread of COVID, including spacing students 6 feet apart when they are eating. Here's our current strategy:
Outdoor Dining: This is our normal lunch plan for days without rain and when the ground is dry. Each grade level is split into Group 1 and Group 2. Group 1 eats lunch first while Group 2 is at recess. After 17 minutes they rotate. Students can eat inside the Commons at cafeteria tables and stadium seating area or they can go outside to the Commons Patio to sit on the concrete benches or on the ground. At recess students can be in the covered play area or tennis court/field space adjacent to the covered play area. A limited number of library passes are distributed at recess.
Indoor Dining: This is our lunch plan when the Commons Patio ground is wet and students cannot sit on the benches or ground. Each grade level is split into Group 1 and Group 2. Group 1 eats lunch first while Group 2 is at recess. After 17 minutes they rotate. Students can eat inside the Commons at cafeteria tables and stadium seating area or in the Auxiliary Gym where tables and chairs are temporarily set up. At recess students can be in the covered play area or tennis court/field space adjacent to the covered play area. A limited number of library passes are distributed at recess.
Rainy Day: This is our lunch plan when we have heavy rain and need the covered play area for both Band class and PE Classes. Students are assigned to a room for their 30 minute lunch and typical recess activities are not available. On these days we use the Commons, Auxiliary Gym, Choir Room, Black Box, and Library as lunch spaces. Students can read, do homework, or use their Chromebooks when they are finished eating, but remain seated in the same room for the full lunch period. Using this plan will always be a last resort.
We watch both the weather forecasts and the actual weather before making a decision to move from Outdoor to either Indoor or Rainy Day lunches. The decision will usually be made shortly before the beginning of the first lunch and may change between lunches if the weather shifts.
As with nearly everything in the pandemic, we will be flexible and adapt as needed. The good news is in the next two weeks we will have an outdoor tent installed on the Commons Patio, providing us an option for outdoor dining even on rainy days.
