The No Delivery Policy: Students Mustard The Strength To Eat School Lunch
You will see the Domino’s delivery man less this year. There is a new “no delivery” policy at lunch.
Lunch: this is the most enjoyable part of the day; not only are students given the opportunity to socialize, they can also chow down on great food! There are huge changes to lunch in effect this year. There is no delivery service, and three (instead of two) lunch shifts at Wakefield. The no delivery policy seems to be getting the most heated student reactions.
Dr. Willmore said, “delivery service was negatively impacting the environment here at Wakefield. Students were leaving class to place food orders, other students were arriving late to class…trash was being left throughout the building.”
The quality of the cafeteria food has been a hot topic here at Wakefield. Senior Neyda Barahona said, “The school lunch is gross and isn’t nearly enough food to fill a student up. I remember once they gave us just two chicken nuggets…What’s that, an appetizer…?!”
School lunch has been the subject of complaint since school lunches began, but that may also be subject to change.
Dr. Willmore has heard student concerns about the cafeteria offerings. He said, “the cafeteria manager and I met several times throughout the spring to discuss food options and ways to make the food more appealing to students.”
It isn’t just a Wakefield thing either; “the non-delivery policy is now standard for students at all APS schools. Both APS and the Arlington County Government have set goals to improve the quality and the nutritional value of meals and snacks in the schools.” said the principal.
Many students at Wakefield are not happy with this new rule, even if it is for all of APS. Senior Wendy Berrios said, “There aren’t enough meatless options, if I didn’t have enough time to make lunch one day, I was able to order food…now [I] don’t have that.”
How will administration enforce this new rule? Dr. Willmore said, “We will notify the restaurants, and inform them that their drivers may not enter Wakefield property- it is a violation of federal policy to have food sales on school property during the hours that the cafeteria is providing food service.”
Keep an eye out for the new options in the cafeteria line. Are they worth the money? The lunch conversation is not over according to the man in charge. Dr. Willmore said, “We will continue to collaborate throughout this school year and will solicit feedback and suggestions from students.”
Taylor plays soccer for the Arlington Chaos Red and Wakefield's Varsity team. She has been doing Broadcast Journalism since the 6th grade at Gunston Middle...
Daniel • Sep 10, 2014 at 9:57 pm
As a student of Wakefield I just have to say that the food the cafeteria serves is very little and very disgusting. When I’m in class doing my work it’s hard to concentrate on the material when my hunger starts to distract me, I CAN’T GET MY WORK DONE!!! A suggestion to Wakefield as a student, just cook fresh meals that satisfies every students hunger, PLEASE!!!!
Stephanie • Sep 1, 2014 at 6:06 pm
I can understand the school eliminating the food deliveries, however the offerings need to improve. I’ve not heard good things about the cafeteria food from my son. One major complaint is how little food is provided and after that the quality. . .I’m constantly telling him to order two or more lunches. These are teenagers, and a sixteen year old boy needs a decent amount of food. Also, he is a meat eater, and though I do understand the need to have vegetarian options that should be in addition to some type of a meat. A vegetarian dish just doesn’t get him through the day. I’m willing to pay for the better quantity and quality so that he has a good meal.
M.... • Aug 28, 2014 at 11:56 am
As a parent of a Wakefield student, I have a problem with the new policy. The lunch options for high school students are minimum. You all are serving the exact same lunch as elementary school. High school students needs more substance. If you survey the other high school lunch menus in surrounding counties, you will discover they offer a numerous amount of options and variety. Taking away delivery service will only make more students sneak off campus for lunch. Before you enforce the policy you should have another alternative in place. You are forcing students to eat a lunch that is disgusting or be hungry until the end of the school day. I don’t think that is fair.
Students should not be leaving classes early or interrupting instruction time to place food orders. That can be distracting to teachers and other students. Nor should they be leaving their trash behind or throughout the building. In my opinion, I think the outside food purchases has had an impact financially on APS. That is their own fault. You can not expect parents/students to spend $3 daily on food they do not like or will not eat.