My first and third grade get 15 minutes for recess (recess first) and then 15 min. for lunch. I have refused to let DD buy school lunches because she throws literally everything out. She takes in a lunch box and doesn't eat that either, but at least I can salvage some of it rather than it being a total waste.
DS, my younger one, stuffs his face quickly so I allow him to buy lunch there.
Recess is so short that DD gets outside and wanders around the playground searching for friends from other classes. By the time she finds them, it is time to go in for lunch.
they have to do that schedule to get everyone in and out of the cafeteria before school ends. It sucks, but I don't know how anything would change.
