Kindergartners master first lunch hour

Westside Elementary kindergarten teacher Sarah Fox, in her eighth year, said the first few lunches are “pretty tricky, because they’re used to sitting at home with Mom hovering over them.

“So they have to figure out really quick if they want to go to recess they have to eat their food and that way they’ll have enough energy for the day. They hear that from us a lot,” Fox said.

Expectations are up in the lunch line.

“We have to walk through and make sure they are grabbing a fruit or vegetable before going through main lunch line, and if they pass that up, they get a second chance. We’re really pushing the important food groups.”

Students in Fox’s class made it down to the lunchroom smoothly their first day, getting help there from cafeteria aide Lorena Trejo and others. (Including teachers, a total of four adults were there to ensure they were getting all the food groups.)

“The kids are very innocent and willing to do as much as you can push them to do,” Fox said. “They’re ready and willing... little sponges.”