That's just dumb.

That is crazy. At my sons school, he has lunch at 11:15, and then recess. My only complaint is that lunch is a little too early considering he doesn't even get home until 4 in the evening.

My son is in 3rd grade. He has lunch first and then recess. I know in some schools they have too many students to all eat in the cafeteria at the same time, so they do lunch/recess for some and recess/lunch for others.

It actually depends what time they have their recess, I've gone through my elementary and high school years with the same recess time and it doesn't really have any impact on my lunch (so does my brothers and everyone I knew who's in school). Our recess was around 9am and it's over by 9:20am, so it's such a short time to be eating something that could make you too full. Usually it's just a sandwich or some chips. It has been like that ever since, I don't think it's the school's problem on your step son's case. Maybe he just doesn't like eating during lunch time, instead he'd rather play or something. Perhaps their recess is too heavy too. But as far as I'm concerned, there should be a recess in the middle of the day because we all need breaks too, specially for these kids who aren't really disciplined enough to stay put for several hours straight, they need something to break the routine so that they won't end up bored and unable to concentrate. Happy Mylotting!

Since there are so many classes, they have to schedule things accordingly. They don't want all the classes on the playground at the same time. Plus they have to plan around each classes other activities such as specials etc. Personally I don't see anything wrong with recess just before lunch, actually you would think all that running around would make them even hungrier. It does with my kids anyways. Perhaps he just doesn't have a midday appetite. My kids have no appetite at all in the evening. Some kids have no appetite at breakfast. It's the way their metabolism works, they only have an appetite when their body needs energy. So perhaps he just has no appetite midday for the most part. With my kids, since they have no appetite in the evening, they won't eat much of their dinner. Then of course at breakfast the next morning they're starving, so they eat a very large breakfast. Aside from the school lunch, and perhaps a snack at school, they don't eat anything else, so there's no reason for them not to be hungry at supper, which keeps getting later and later in the day in hopes they'll eat it. It's just the way their bodies work, they only need nurishment in the morning. I'm the opposite. I won't eat a single thing all day until at least lunch time, even then it won't be much, but come dinner time I can't seem to stop eating.

In our school we have also recess before lunch. Our classes start at 7:00 and will end in 3:00 in the afternoon. They are spending 8 hours in school, thinking and analyzing different subjects and we must admit that too much thinking will make us hungry that's why we have recess in the morning around 9:30 am and lunch breaks around 12:00 pm. This way, we are catering the needs of the students physically and mentally. There are really times when they are coming late because there are too much students to be accommodated at the canteen. Try to analyze the schedule of your son. Maybe, there are still few subjects between recess and lunch and try to take a look at the canteen and the school's population. This way, you will know better why your son was not able to eat at school.

No , I dont Have Child in elementary child......

I'm in england and our children always get time to eat lunch and have a playtime. Its bad that your son isn't having time to eat.. how do they expect him to work wel in the afternoon without lunch

Oh I'm so glad you brought this up. My daughter's school does things weird too. They have lunch first for a half hour (sometimes less), then they go back to class for a half hour and then they have recess, yet another half hour. When we were little I thought we had an hour for lunch and then we went right to recess. My daughter is always complaining that there wasn't enough time to eat all of her lunch.

I think it is kinda backwards. To me both food and exercise is very important for kids, and anyone else, but like you said, they should eat first before they go and play. It just makes sense because running around on an emptying is just not good for a child's health. They should make sure the kids eat first before they play. I was very dizzy at times from not eating, but now I make sure I eat first because I get active for the day.

That does sound ridiculous. I wouldn't want my child to starve. If my son doesn't eat at a particular time and make sure I offer food untill he eats. I agree that should move the time for recess to another time. Lunch is more important for a growing child.

I completely agree. Our bodies naturally need food for energy so it only makes sense to eat before playing. I know there is a problem with the scheduling and coordination at some schools when it comes to lunch and recess, but I totally agree that they should always schedule the lunch first. If I was you I would start a petition with other parents with children at that school and try to get a change in place. If enough parents threaten to remove their children from the school, then they would most likely comply because the less students, the less funding you get.