Prior to this year, 50 to 70 students within a single grade level were moving through the lunch line at once at Hockinson Heights Elementary School. By the time those at the end of the line reached their seats, many had no time to finish their meal. Approximately 140 students per grade level were in the lunchroom at one time, creating increasing challenges for staff to effectively supervise students.

This year, HHES addressed the problem by repurposing one of its gyms into a second cafeteria. The decision followed last year’s pilot program, in which 4th- and 5th-grade students ate in a split lunchroom. Students and staff were surveyed and provided overwhelmingly positive responses. Student feedback included "I love it because it is so much calmer and not as loud,” "No more 10-minute waits!!!," and "I feel ready to learn at the end of lunch." 

Based on survey data, HHES implemented two lunch spaces on campus this year. Each lunchroom now serves between 50 and 80 students at a time, depending on the grade level's size. The two spaces are known as the Yellow Cafeteria, the original lunchroom, and the Blue Cafeteria, the repurposed gym. The table seats in each room match their names, with yellow in one room and blue in the other. The consensus among students and staff is that this change has been a resounding success, and student behavior in the lunchroom has improved significantly.

With one less gym space available for physical education, HHES built a PE schedule that pairs adjacent grade levels for joint PE classes. Two teachers now lead these combined classes together, and having students work with peers outside of their class is helping foster a greater sense of belonging and community across the school. 

Grounded in data and shaped by positive feedback, this is a change HHES plans to keep.