Dec 04, 2019

Junction City High School is closing campus for lunch in 2020

Posted Dec 04, 2019 4:51 PM

Information provided by Sacha Johnston, USD 475


When Junction City High School students return from the holiday break January 7th there will be new rules for lunch periods.


Freshman students will not be allowed to leave campus during lunch for any reason, except when signed out by a parent or guardian. Others including 10th, 11th and 12th grade students may be allowed to leave campus for lunch, under certain conditions. Those students will be required to have a permission slip signed by a parent acknowledging that the parent is aware and gives permission for the student to leave campus during lunch period. The student will also need to have a car or live within a mile of the campus.


The changes are occurring as the senior high begins to acclimate to the planned move to the new high school facility that is set to open in August of 2021. In the past students enjoyed an open campus for lunch, and many used the opportunity to go home and eat, or to visit local businesses nearby to purchase lunch. But the location of the new JCHS will make it difficult for students to leave school, get lunch and return before the lunch period is over. The new campus will not have restaurants and businesses in close proximity, which means students would have to travel much farther for lunch.


David Wild, Chief Operations Officer for USD 475, stated, "We are going to start implementing a change and gradually start closing the lunch through a period of time in order to acclimate the student body to the process."


Wild also added, "Any number of reasons can be given for closing lunch at JCHS, the least of which is not student safety and security. With a 30-minute limit on available lunch time, releasing students to an open lunch is a condition ripe with potential risk for accident and injury. The District "Student First" priority includes an implied caregiver trust that we will set proper conditions for a safe and secure student environment."


JCHS is working to ensure that student needs are met on campus for lunch. The menu is being expanded to include grab and go items like burritos, sandwiches and salads. New tables have been ordered to ensure there is ample seating for all students, internet, music. TV's and microwave ovens are also being provided for the convenience of students.


Parents wanting to allow their child to leave campus for lunch will need to fill out a permission slip and have it filed in the student's Academy Office. Parents will only need to fill out the permission slip once, as it will remain in the student's file for the entire duration that the students JCHS.


Parents can contact their student's Academy Office for more information.