Before the corporate lunches and the rushed meals of the adult world, we used to have school lunch. Usually, these meals were bland and lackluster, and sometimes the only thing thing it put in your stomach was an ache, but we looked forward to it nonetheless. For those that had parents that had the time and love to make a lunch for their kids, it was usually a cold meal and some chips, and although the effort is greatly appreciated, the toils of the day typically meant the lunch was cold or soggy by the time the lunch bell rang. No, it was not the food or milk that made school lunches the highlight of students' days, but rather the lunch period itself that came to be the best period of the day. Sandwiched in between classes, lunch offered students a well-deserved break from the academic slugging from well meaning teachers and the doldrums of the classroom.
Raucous laughter, unnecessary yelling, and the senseless chatter of kids who have too much pent up energy echo off the walls of the cafeteria, and although it may be hard to have a real conversation, it is the most fun part of the day. Some of your best memories were made here, and there are at least a couple of memorable lunches that still spring up when the school cafeteria comes to mind. It represents a chance to recharge and talk to friends, sometimes being the only time to really do so, especially if everyone has different classes and schedules. Sitting together with new friends and old helps nurture social skills, allowing for opportunities to strengthen bonds and exchange snacks and stories. School lunch gives students the chance to feel like they belong, not just to their friends surrounding them at the table but also to the school itself. This simple period that is nothing more than an exaggerated break can make all the difference between a positive school experience and a negative one.
The magic of the cafeteria may not be in the food, but it cannot function without the presence of cafeteria tables. Providing ample space for multiple bodies, it is absolutely necessary to have and can fit a good number of both new and old friends. They are the glue for what school lunches can be and are therefore needed by every school district, which is why Socorro Independent School District in El Paso, Texas is seeking proposals to provide their school district with cafeteria tables for schools as needed district wide. If interested in this opportunity to help students have a place to sit and eat with their friends, click on the link to learn more. The bid closes December 13, 2024 at 12:00 PM MT.