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Every person in the high school (including teachers) knows the pain and contained anger of standing, hungrily, patiently in a lunch line, only to be cut by an immoral freeloader. Calling out a cutter comes with such stigma and requires such commitment to the cause that most students suffer their silent fate.
The problem is rampant. If not a big enough issue for the administration to take action, it certainly requires no encouragement. However that is exactly what it receives.
For whatever reason, bureaucratically justified I’m sure, teachers often snag a tray and use their adult magic to appear at the front of the line. The resemblance of this phenomenon to student line cutting is suspiciously identical and more obnoxious.
I understand that these hardworking teachers deserve privileges and that they’re probably off to accomplish some necessary task. Whatever. The problem is the example it sets for the student body. Today I watched a teacher swoop through a huge line. She was promptly followed by two girls who slid to the front and proceeded to delay the line for minutes with their pickyness. The girls, in the wake of the teacher, went blatantly unchallenged by the kitchen staff.
Whatever the reason for the line slicing, the apparent childishness sends ripples of bad vibes throughout the cafeteria. Whereas patience would send a message of responsibility and thoughtfulness. And if the speedy lunch really is required, hit a smaller line, pack, or come before the bell. Stop setting a bad example, it hurts the students who choose not to abuse the system.
Joe • Apr 28, 2011 at 7:05 pm
I should clarify the “free lunch program”. Over 90% of our kids qualify for free food. It was decided that it was cheaper to just give the entire student body free lunch than to set up an accounting system to weed out the 10% or so who could afford to pay. The feds pay for the meals of the impoverished kids and the school district picks up the tab for the rest, my daughter included.
Joe • Apr 28, 2011 at 7:05 pm
I should clarify the “free lunch program”. Over 90% of our kids qualify for free food. It was decided that it was cheaper to just give the entire student body free lunch than to set up an accounting system to weed out the 10% or so who could afford to pay. The feds pay for the meals of the impoverished kids and the school district picks up the tab for the rest, my daughter included.
Joe • Apr 28, 2011 at 6:55 pm
At our school teachers pay and the students get their lunches free. I never cut in line because I never buy the over priced food. Here’s what we need to remember, and it’s what I teach my daughter. Students are kids, and teachers are adults. Getting to eat first is one of the few privileges associated with teaching. Students should respect their elders. Here’s another reason. Would you rather have the teacher rushing out the door after class saying, “sorry kid, I can’t talk to you now. I’m off to lunch. I’m not paid during lunch time and I’m not about to end up last in line because of you”? I see many of my colleagues remaining in class after the bell has rung, confident that they can help the student and still have time to get their tray. Reminder-they pay, the kids do not. The majority of our kids come from families that are eligible for free lunch. Most of our teachers are helping to pay for that with our taxes. Their families are on federal assistance and are getting a free ride. In conclusion, I don’t mind at all when I see my friends cut in line.
Joe • Apr 28, 2011 at 6:55 pm
At our school teachers pay and the students get their lunches free. I never cut in line because I never buy the over priced food. Here’s what we need to remember, and it’s what I teach my daughter. Students are kids, and teachers are adults. Getting to eat first is one of the few privileges associated with teaching. Students should respect their elders. Here’s another reason. Would you rather have the teacher rushing out the door after class saying, “sorry kid, I can’t talk to you now. I’m off to lunch. I’m not paid during lunch time and I’m not about to end up last in line because of you”? I see many of my colleagues remaining in class after the bell has rung, confident that they can help the student and still have time to get their tray. Reminder-they pay, the kids do not. The majority of our kids come from families that are eligible for free lunch. Most of our teachers are helping to pay for that with our taxes. Their families are on federal assistance and are getting a free ride. In conclusion, I don’t mind at all when I see my friends cut in line.
Alex • Jan 20, 2011 at 8:44 am
Yes Emmett. Great column
Alex • Jan 20, 2011 at 8:44 am
Yes Emmett. Great column
Loughran • Dec 15, 2010 at 7:49 am
Your issue seems to be the students who followed the teacher, and not the teacher. Sorry, Bro. Teachers are the last one’s out of the room and the first ones back in. While students linger in the halls to use the bathroom or get that last tongue dance with the sweetie, the teachers have to be back in the class ready to go. Teacher Cuts Rule!
Loughran • Dec 15, 2010 at 7:49 am
Your issue seems to be the students who followed the teacher, and not the teacher. Sorry, Bro. Teachers are the last one’s out of the room and the first ones back in. While students linger in the halls to use the bathroom or get that last tongue dance with the sweetie, the teachers have to be back in the class ready to go. Teacher Cuts Rule!
Clay Boggess • Dec 15, 2010 at 7:48 am
Some teachers obviously forgot to realize that they are there to set high standards for their students; both inside as well as outside the classroom. To take it a step further, they are supposed to be putting the students first, not put themselves ahead of the students. These teachers have it backwards.
Clay Boggess • Dec 15, 2010 at 7:48 am
Some teachers obviously forgot to realize that they are there to set high standards for their students; both inside as well as outside the classroom. To take it a step further, they are supposed to be putting the students first, not put themselves ahead of the students. These teachers have it backwards.