School lunchtime

[LargeAndLittle]

DD15 loves school and isn't one to say anything negative about it but the area of her year bubble has changed and there is an issue with lunch.

They have been told they now have to stay on the playground (which is absolutely fine) but there are no benches or anything like that so they are expected to either sit on the concrete or eat standing up.

I know things are difficult but am I being unreasonable to think sitting on the floor or standing up isn't great? I don't even know what the solution would be though.

Bump

It's not ideal but nothing is at school at the moment. We've all got to live with it for now. (I'm a teacher)

So did your DD get a warm meal/packed lunch under shelter at some point?

It's not ideal but I do remember doing this almost every day by choice when I was at secondary school and about the same age. It was always so overcrowded in our small canteen, my mates would go in and get a sausage roll in a paper bag, maybe some chips. Not a healthy meat and 2 veg obvs but thats what they would have got anyway I think, whether sitting inside or not. I had my sandwiches, crisps etc. Drinks in our pockets. Not bad to eat stood up. You would eat fish and chips out of a tray with a wooden spoon at the beach? It honestly wasn't too bad, eating was just something we got out of the way quickly so we could chat more.

She's spending most of the day sat down. Being stood up for a while at lunch won't hurt.

Fine if its dry but on a wet cold winters day thats a bit much imo. Why not q staggered lunch time or let them eat in whatever classroom their in the period before lunch. Surely eating standing up in the rain is not the best solution

Sorry are they suggesting to do this in all weathers including rain? If so then I do think that's a bit much, surely not?

We were talking about this tonight, happening with DD‘s bubble too. If it is raining they can go inside but otherwise they are outside, however windy or cold it gets, standing up or sitting on the concrete. I think it’s too much to expect of them.

Send her with a coat. Safer to be outside at the moment anyway.

My older two dc are in yrs 7&9. So dd has lunch at 11am, ds1 at 12pm. Each school year has a half hour slot in the canteen. Dd usually comes home with at least half her sandwich, as she’s never hungry enough at 11am, then doesn’t get enough time to eat later on. Not ideal, but I suppose it’s better than over crowding or being outside. Wouldn’t be happy if that’s the only option for your dd, going into bad weather now.

How old is she?

I'm not sure what happens when it's raining actually. I know where their bubble was last time they were allowed in the canteen but there is no canteen or anything similar in their bubble part of the school now.
She didn't need shelter today as it was just really windy and the rain started and finished before lunch.
I'm a bit biased as I really don't like standing up to eat for some reason.

Sorry she's 15

Nothing wrong with standing up or sitting on the floor. I'm sure people used to sit on their bags at my school.

I wouldn't be happy at having to be outside in shitty weather though.

I'd lobby the school for them to have lunch in the classroom they are in before lunch. Or if that has to be cleaned, the room they will be in after. That one will just have to be cleaned earlier to allow them in earlier.

I have to admit I didn't even think about sitting on their bags that's an idea, I would bet it wouldn't have crossed her mind either

Going against the grain, I don't actually think it is acceptable for them to be eating lunch sat on the ground/standing up outside every day. I know times are difficult!
Who is actually using the dining room? Is it the same year group(s) every day, or does DD's year group get a turn?

Sympathy, it's not fun to eat lunch in horrible weather every day. Suggest a thermos flask of hot soup, its quick to consume and warms you up. Fingerless gloves, too.

@Leeds2

Other year groups are using the canteens as they're on the other side of her bubble. The other year groups outside have access to the picnic benches in their area.

I hate standing up to eat and sitting on a wet floor in the rain to eat is miserable too. I wonder how many adults saying its fine are taking their lunch in school uniform type clothes, stood or sat in the rain?

However, it is just how it has to be at the moment. So she has my sympathy but i cant think of another option.