Early and Late School Lunches Means Breakfast is Crucial to Student Success

As hundreds of thousands of South Carolina public school students go back to school this week, they will have to adjust to new schedules. Some have early lunches. Others have late lunches. What should you do as a parent to keep your student fueled?

Spartanburg District Five has typical lunch times between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; but some Upstate districts start as early as 10:15 and as late as 2:00 p.m.

To combat that problem, Districts like Spartanburg 5 and 6, and Anderson Districts 1 and 4, let younger students have snacks and water; but what if your district doesn't? Experts say give your children a breakfast that will last. Registered Nurse Joy McGaha says, “Carbs give quick energy - sweet sugars, the honey buns, the sugary cereals, those types of things, if you can fortify it with some protein. Protein lasts longer. It takes them longer to absorb it. It gives them more energy for a longer period of time. McGaha says don't feel bad about giving your child something like chicken nuggets or hamburgers for breakfast if that is all he or she will eat.

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Spartanburg District 1, Dr. Jimmy Littlefield, Superintendent: “District One Schools offer free breakfast to everyone. Snacks are available for K-4 and K-5 students and are handled by the teachers/principals. Generally lunch times begin at 10:40 and run until 12:40 pm (varies by school). After school programs offered at the schools begin with a snack.

Suggestions on what to do about students that are getting hungry:

1. Parents should encourage their children to eat breakfast every morning whether it is at home or school. Nutritionists say this is the most important meal of the day.
2. Parents explore different healthy breakfast food choices for their children: yogurt, smoothies, fruit, whole wheat muffins, etc.
3. Parents should encourage students to eat lunch at school, even though we know some bring their lunch, but stress the importance of a mid-day meal.
4. If a child is still hungry or have special nutritional needs, the parent should discuss this with their teacher.

Spartanburg District 2, Rhonda Henderson, Spokesperson: “Lunch times vary somewhat from school to school, depending on class scheduling and the number of students the cafeteria can accommodate at once. Elementary school lunches start as early as 10:45 am and are usually over by 12:30 pm. Secondary school lunches start at 11 am and end no later than 1:30 pm. Students in 4K are provided nutritious snacks. Students may bring snacks to eat at an appropriate time, either during a break or, if allowed or needed, during a class. Specifics depend on the individual teacher/principal. Numerous studies have proven the importance of a good breakfast. Family breakfasts are great way to start the day on a positive note, for both emotional and physical well-being. Also, any student may participate in the breakfast program at school for a bargain price, and students who qualify for free or reduced benefits may eat at no cost or for 30 cents, respectively.”

Spartanburg District 6, Cynthia T. Robinson, Director of Public Relations: “Our children eat lunch anywhere between the hours of 10:45 and 1:15, depending upon their grade level. Younger children who have an early lunch period are allowed a healthy snack and water.”

Spartanburg District 7, Dr. Russell Booker, Associate Superintendent for Planning and Administration: “Our lunches begin around 10:20 and 10:45. Our lunches end around 12:30 and 1:30. These are the elementary times…. We begin serving breakfast before 7:00AM in most cases and school dismisses around 2:30PM… As always, we encourage our parents to ensure that students eat a healthy breakfast before coming to school or at school. We also run afterschool programs in a number of schools and in most instances provide snacks for students.”

Anderson District 1, Debbie Joye, Anderson One Director of Student Nutrition Services comments: “Anderson One offers breakfast for any student and several schools offer it in the classroom each morning. Our younger students get mid-morning and/or afternoon snacks. Older students also have opportunity to have snacks in class. Due to the fact that some schools have larger numbers of classes, sometimes the lunch periods can get long but we are addressing that the use of allowing snacks.

Anderson District 4, Dr. Joanne Avery, Deputy Superintendent: “Elementary schools start serving lunch as early as 10:15 and end as late as 12:45. (Each school has its own schedule). Middle school will start after the first week 12:00-1:45 High School will vary - as early as 11:47 and serve until 2:00 depending on the bell schedule for the day. Healthy snacks and water are allowed and encouraged

Oconee County School District, Sheila Blackwell, Coordinator of Food Services: “…Tentatively, breakfast is offered from 7:20 – 8:00. But these times can be extended for late buses. Lunch tentatively begins around 10:30 (in some elementary schools) ending as late as 1:15. Secondary lunches tentatively begin around 11:00, with the latest lunch beginning at 1:10. Snacks are not provided nor monitored by Food Service. There are schools which host after school snack programs.