Most large comprehensive high schools in our region and many SPS high schools have two lunches. Having two or more lunches makes it possible for every student to be served, seated, and have time to eat during a single 30-minute lunch period.

Two lunches reduces long lines, makes it easier to find a place to sit, and ensures all students have a healthy amount of time to eat. It also supports our culinary staff, who need time to stage and serve fresh food. 

The Seattle Education Association (SEA) contract says that instructional staff should have a 30-minute duty-free lunch. 

The updated guidance ensures compliance with Washington State requirements and board policy for both instructional time and meal periods. 

• Seattle School Board Policy 6705 – Food Service and Student Nutrition: 
  “Meal periods will be long enough for students to eat and socialize. A minimum of 10 minutes will be provided to eat breakfast and 20 minutes to eat lunch, with additional time as needed for standing in line. Lunches will have sufficient passing time on one side or the other to allow students to get to or from the cafeteria. School leaders and food service staff shall place a high priority on reducing cafeteria line times to no more than 5 minutes for students. Meal times will be scheduled so that dining areas have the capacity to seat all students who wish to eat there comfortably.”  

• State Law RCW 28A.150.220: 
  “Each school district shall make available to students the following minimum instructional offering each school year: For students enrolled in grades one through twelve, at least a district-wide annual average of 1,000 hours, which shall be increased beginning in the 2015–16 school year to at least 1,080 instructional hours for students enrolled in grades nine through twelve…”  

State Law WAC 392-157-125: 
“School breakfast and school lunch periods must allow a reasonable amount of time for each child to take care of personal hygiene and enjoy a complete meal.” 

Washington State requires a set number of instructional minutes. Lunch must fit within the school day without cutting into class time. Thirty minutes includes time for students to eat, and get to lunch and back to class. A longer lunch would mean less class time or a longer school day. 

No. Teacher planning and preparation time is protected. This change is focused only on lunch scheduling, not teacher preparation time. 

We recognize the timing is not ideal. While this expectation had been in place for some time, schools were not fully aligned. After the year began, we made adjustments to allow for student access to meals, staff contract requirements, and students traveling to or from off-site programs. Acting quickly allows us to address these issues now rather than waiting until next school year. 

Many large high schools around the region and country use multiple lunch periods. Thirty minutes is a typical length. Some districts also include separate advisory or tutorial times, which we will continue exploring as part of our broader strategic planning. 

Clubs will still meet, but we know this will take adjustment. Options include: 

• Meeting before or after school 
• Meeting during advisory periods or other scheduled times 

Schools will work with club advisors and student leaders to find solutions that work best. If school staff are receiving a stipend to supervise the club, then the club should meet outside of the regular school hours/day. 

Teachers are entitled to a duty-free lunch. Each school will share its own plan so that students know when and where to get extra help.

SPS schools take a variety of approaches to provide students with academic support, including during each academic period, before and after school, and during particular classes like advisory. For more information on your school’s plan for academic support, please reach out to your students’ teachers and/or your school’s leadership.

We understand that students also need time for clubs, friendships, and support—both emotional and academic. Students need support to meet their required 24 credits. 

These are important, but lunch alone can’t meet all those needs. The truth is that we are relying too heavily on lunch. There are also growing safety concerns that have occurred during lunch time. 

• How should we best use time during the school day? 
• When should school start and end? 
• How do we balance class time with clubs, sports, and the arts? 
• Do students have enough credit-earning opportunities?  

These questions will be part of our districtwide planning and budgeting. Many decisions will still be made at the school level, where staff and students can decide what works best for them. 

Schools have until Monday, Oct. 6 to make the changes; however, high schools will begin making any necessary changes as early as Monday, Sept. 15. Each school will send out its specific bell schedule before that the change is in effect. 

No. Start and end times for the school day are not changing. Sports, music, theater, and other activities will continue on the same schedule. 

Schools with open campus policies may continue to allow students to leave during their assigned lunch. Students will need to adjust to the new timing and return on time for their next class. 

Principals and staff are planning supervision for both lunch periods. With fewer students at a time in cafeterias, hallways, and outdoor spaces, safety and monitoring will be ensured. 

SPS respects student voice and recognizes their right to express themselves. At the same time, we must prioritize safety and instructional time.

During protests happening during the school day, high schools will remain open, and classes will continue as scheduled.

As per usual practice, school staff will follow School Board Policy 3121 and Superintendent Procedure 3121 SP

No. Bus schedules will remain the same, since school start and end times are unchanged. 

Each high school will send its new bell schedule to families no later than Monday, Oct. 6. Schools will also provide details about club schedules, tutoring, and any site-specific adjustments. Families can expect follow-up messages by email and posts on school websites.