With a new lunch policy in effect as of Tuesday, Jan. 22, the second semester of the 2018-2019 school year was off to an uncertain start.

Students on social media erupted with negative posts and debates about the lunch policy back in August when Elk Grove High School Principal Paul Kelly briefed students and parents on the changes that would go into effect to promote and incentivize academic achievement.

So far, EGHS students have had a wide range of opinions and insight about the policy and ways to improve upon it and try to make sure that students and staff alike are satisfied.

Rachel Angara, a sophomore, suggests that maybe EG starts taking a closer look and effort and not so much results.

“I think they [administrators] can start taking a look at Mastery Lab visits and start taking looks at the comments teachers leave on Infinite Campus,” she said.

Angara added that although she is allowed to leave campus, she said she views off-campus privileges as a hassle and not worth the “stress or time.”

It’s not just Angara that felt this way. According to students interviewed, they generally felt that there’s a convenience factor involved with leaving school for off-campus lunch.

In addition, some students said they have stopped leaving for lunch because their friends aren’t able to join them. EGHS senior Shavoci Jones said he believes seniors deserve to not be accounted for when it comes to the new policy.

“We’re already on our way out,” he said. “Isn’t the school supposed to try to make our last months here at least somewhat enjoyable?”

Other EGHS students such as junior Arta Kaidru said that the policy’s standards are inherently unfair.

“I’m writing an essay about it,” Kaidru said. “It’s something that’s important to me, not because I have something against the school but just because of the policy, which is unfair because it punishes kids for being below a certain academic level.”

A similar argument was echoed in an anonymous petition protesting the new lunch policy that recorded hundreds of signatures in January. The petition, however, isn’t being taken seriously by administration, as the credentials of the petition’s author “Kenneth H.” cannot be confirmed.

There are also EGHS students like junior Dakota Walczak who aren’t concerned about the situation surrounding the lunch policy. Students like Walczak said they don’t care to leave campus for lunch because they’re satisfied where they are.

“I thought it was just more security,” she said.

Despite the varying viewpoints, Kelly said that issues with the policy can be brought up with him.

“While I can’t snap my fingers and make a change, I will seriously consider everything I hear and see what I can do ” Kelly said.