West Intermediate Pilots New Schedule Moving Recess Before Lunch

Sometimes the most basic changes can be those that make the biggest difference in people’s lives. Recently, for example, The in Wilmington began a pilot program with their 5th-grade class which moved recess ahead of lunch.

True, the change sounds pretty minor but, in reality, this simple change can make a world of difference.

“It’s not an entirely new idea,” said Maureen Travis, the West Intermediate school nurse. “It has been done in other parts of the country and studied in depth in the state of Montana.”

Originally suggested by the Wilmington Wellness Committee, the idea behind moving recess ahead of lunch makes basic sense. “Because they have already been outside to play,” Travis said, “the kids don’t feel that they need to rush their lunch to get to recess sooner.” 

Based on the results from a 2003 State of Montana study, The Wellness Committee was hoping not only improve the atmosphere in the cafeteria, but to increase students’ nutrition consumption and, therefore, cut down on wasted food. 

So far, at West Intermediate, the results speak for themselves.  In November of 2009, Travis had 44 cases of afternoon headaches and stomach aches among the 4^th graders. In 2010, however, those same students are in the 5^th grade enjoying recess before lunch and the number of similar complaints dropped to 20. 

Statistics comparing this year's “recess before lunch” 5^th graders to the same school’s 4^th graders were all similar. Over the course of three months the larger 5^th grade class had significantly fewer trips to the nurse than the smaller 4^th grade group. 

 According to Travis, “Research showed that by getting exercise before lunch the students would be hungrier and more settled when it came time to eat.”

Of course, not all of the evidence is purely scientific as Dennis Shaw, principal of the West Intermediate said. “We have done some ‘informal’ weight testing of the trash barrels after lunch,” he said, “and there were far more empty containers and less wasted food in the 5^th grade barrels.”

Some of the results of the new schedule were not even planned for.  “What we didn’t expect is that, because of the new schedule, there are no longer students outside at recess while others are in their classrooms working. Without meaning to we’ve eliminated distractions from outside the classroom,” said Shaw.

While the new schedule has taken some getting used to by teachers and students, the results so far seem to be well worthwhile.  Physical activity prior to lunch improves appetite and, in return, better nutrition makes for better study habits and attention spans. 

Both Shaw and Travis are hoping to expand the program to include both the 4^th and 5^th grade classes next school year.

“From a nurse’s point of view,” said Travis, “it is a win-win situation for everyone."