Looking Forward to Lunch Bunches

When Ms. Jennifer first started hosting lunchtime meetings for the students at Parkview Elementary School, the program manager had no idea that the "lunch bunch” would become the highlight of the week for so many kids.

The half-hour-long meetings don’t just offer a break from the school day: They also give the students a chance to meet new people and share what’s going on in their lives. “It’s a time to get creative, to challenge their critical thinking, and to think outside of the box,” says Ms. Jennifer.

Each grade has set times to meet during the week, such as the first-grade girls’ group (pictured below). Ms. Jennifer strategically plans each lunch bunch to meet the needs of the attending students that week. The students may practice social skills, work on STEM activities, participate in kindness club, or chat about anything else that’s on their minds.

Every few weeks, each group of students also “adopt” a new set of teachers, staff members, and fellow students and brainstorm ways to show appreciation for their hard work. These regular lunch meetings create a sense of routine for the elementary students and give them something to look forward to, even if they’re not having the best school day or week.

“Some might think the lunch bunch is just sitting and talking, but it goes so much deeper than that,” says Ms. Jennifer. “I have seen kids grow exponentially during these 30-minute lunches. I have seen creativity come pouring out, friendships blossom, and self-love flourish. I truly love my lunch bunch groups and spending time with them each and every week.”

Ms. Jennifer (third from left) smiles with her first-grade girls’ lunch bunch group.