On April 3-6, Tallwood High School implemented a beta trial to see how the students would react in a three lunch environment instead of a four lunch environment.

A major issue that many students at Tallwood complain about is the traffic in the halls that occur during period switches. What many teachers complain about is the amount of noise that happens in the halls due to the lunch switches. The administration staff may have just found a solution to both of these problems.

Dr. James Avila, Principal at Tallwood High says, “We wanted to decrease instructional interruptions during third block. We also wanted to attempt new scheduling. High schools need to look at ways to build a flexible schedule so that students have the optimal time to learn. For example, maybe we only need one lunch for an hour so that students can go to club meetings, mentorship, and to lunch when they want to during that time period.”

On top of the interruptions during instructional periods, Dr. Avila would rather have Tallwood ahead of the curve because of the recent calls for pushing High school start times back.

“The high school schedule will change eventually. I would rather have Tallwood in the forefront leading the way for the division,” said Dr. Avila.

One concern that arose was: are there enough seats in the cafeteria to fit all of our students
comfortably in a three lunch period?

Dr. Avila cleared this up by saying, “Yes. The cafeteria seats close to 1200 students. If students use the courtyard and the library, then we have ample space. In three lunches, only 900 students maximum attended each lunch.”

Typically in our daily lunch, the wait time in line to get food is 15 minutes. With the three lunch system, there was no measurable difference in the wait time to get food, according to Dr. Avila. In addition, admin learned several other things from our three lunch beta trial.

“We have the cafeteria staff, custodians, and security to run three lunches. The amount of traffic decreased in the halls because of the break in between each lunch. We are able to feed and seat all students in a timely manner,” Dr. Avila said.

The three lunch system will possibly go into effect for the next school year, but we will not know for sure until we get there.

In his closing remarks about the three lunch beta trial, Dr. Avila said, “The biggest failure is not trying! I am glad we tried the plan so that we can learn from mistakes.”

Below are the stories featured in the May 19 Issue of The Roaring Gazette.

What Administration Learned from the Test Lunches by Kayla Smith

U.S. News: Tallwood 39th Best High School in Virginia by Kayla Smith

Students Bring Passion for Fashion to Tallwood Show by Ariana Hernandez

Yearbooks to Arrive in Early June by Elena Day

Junior Fun Night Lives up to its Name by Cassidy O’Neal

Meet Two Lions: Mrs. Lizan and Mrs. Bankes by Sydney McKissick

Mr. Justin Goldstine: Tallwood’s Fixer by Ophelia Reid

Lions Football Begin Off-Season by Richard Ruffin

Tallwood High School Sports Update by Tyler Dennis

Dress Code Should be Fairly Administered by Amari McCoy

How to Make Seniors’ Lives Easier by Marissa Howell

ISIS Must be Defeated by Dylan Klepk

Baby Groot the Highlight of Latest MARVEL Crown Pleaser by Austin Luciani

“Mob of the Dead” a Haunting Addition to “Call of Duty” Franchise by Charles Romano

Rather Rick Ross than Drake by Erin Nathan