Why doesn't Miles City have a lunch program for the high school? Just wondering...seems like they should offer it for the students.

The Key Club booth in the lobby doesn't count?

Wait a minute, I don't understand. There are no hot lunches at the high school???

I think they had program but I believe so few kids signed up for it, it wasn't successful.

I have never heard of a public school system that does not provide hot lunches, and I've lived ALOT of places. I have to say I'm a little shocked, and disappointed.

I know...Miles City is the only high school I've ever known not to have a hot lunch program. We had a closed campus also, where you either ate lunch at school or brought your lunch. I'm sure at the time we as kids didn't like it much. However, our option was to eat at school or bring our lunch. This may be a silly question, but isn't the school liable for the kids out and about over the lunch hour?

Once they leave the grounds, they are parental responsibility the same as to and fro in the morning and afternoon.

Pretty sure by the time you're in high school you should be responsible enough to take care of yourself at lunch. It isn't the same as junior high. When my kids went there they had groups that met at lunchtime. They went to lunch with their friends. They practiced for concerts. They took their lunch or they came home for lunch. Or they went out for lunch. They were TOO old to be lined up and marched into a student lunch line.

Hot lunch is served everyday at M&H.

Well, Richard's comment is my point! Isn't there a program that helps kids eat healthy? One run by the U.S. Government? Hot dogs, Cokes, and doughnuts probably aren't on that menu too often! However, M & H offers a healthy, tasty variety of the above-mentioned items. Ya ya ya I know kids that are in high school are old enough to eat right and do they? I doubt it! I wasn't posting my question to argue. I just wondered WHY Miles City doesn't have a hot lunch program in the high school. It is really odd, considering the size of our town. Nobody has yet to answer that. Thanks all!

One run by the U.S. Government?

I double dog dare you to say that at the next Johnson rally...

HaHaHaHa! Seriously though...anybody have an answer??

Well actually those high school students that would like hot lunch, are offered it. Lincoln school serves the same lunch that the other schools get. All you have to do is sign up. They even still have the same sheets if you can't afford it.

WTF? Is this Karl Marx's birthday????

Ok brittany 95, What exactly do you mean? Do the high school students have to walk to Lincoln to get hot lunch?

Also I was thinking about this alot tonight (because honestly I can't believe it) And wondering, does the school provide tables, or any place to sit if the students bring cold lunch?

The gym lobby has tables available for students who bring cold lunch.

Call 234-4920 and get some real answers.

The one block walk to Lincoln wasn't the problem. The high school students were too cool to eat with the grade schoolers.

Out of this whole thread... to be technical...

Britanny and Ammorette have posted the correct information...


Of course the mentioned M&H hot lunch program is not bad either

Well yes they have to walk over there. Students do go over there if they have no car to drive out to Haynes at lunch. The high school lunch hour is provided BEFORE the little kids even come out for lunch, the only ones that are there are any students that decided to eat there.

As for tables, yes they are there for anyone who brings a lunch. Farm shop is also opened, and many students go there. And also mrs sutter (Art teacher) has a pantry set up and in there are drinks, snaks and the ramen noodles that you heat up. the next to this is a set up of microwaves that are available for any student who wants to heat something up.

I'm not sure if they still sell pizza in the concession stands or not they did last year.

Other choices besides bringing a lunch or eating at Lincoln would be going to the gas station, Seabecks Pizza, The Grind, and even walking down to Discovery Pond.

[This message has been edited by brittany_95 (9/12/2012)]

I walked the five blocks home at lunch. I would assume some of the kids, those not in the boonies like Southgate, also do the same. I don't think any high school students starve during the lunch hour, unless it is their choice.

There also used to be a bagged lunch program students could sign up for in the morning and have a cold lunch delivered at the high school. I believe it went away because kids didn't sign up, either forgetting to or being too cool to do so.

Having to walk to Lincoln for a hot lunch, has only one problem. It stigmatizes the kids kids who are eligible for the free lunch program. Now that there is a new superintendent, other options might be considered. Call him and discuss it.

Not every kid who gets lunch gets a free lunch. Some kids parents may just want them to have a hot lunch. Getting lunch shouldn't be a stigma.

It shouldn't be, but it probably is.

I don't see why anything really needs to be discussed. Once you're in high school don't you think that they need to start having responsibilities and act like the adults they're becoming. After 8 years of the same hot lunch, its nice to have 4 years to go wherever you want, and be back in just under an hour. If it was as big of a problem as you think they wouldn't have it, and things would be changed.

Not having a hot lunch program in the HS is by far the dumbest decision that Miles City Schools have ever made. First off, the feds pay for the whole program. Second off, it would add jobs to the local economy. Third, it gives kids nutrition that they otherwise would not receive at M&H or at home. Fourth, did I mention it's free. Not having a hot lunch program at the HS might even be out of compliance with the law...not a 100% sure on that, but I believe so....not that MC school Board cares really. There are a lot of things that the school district is out of compliance with. And as stated earlier...telling HS students to walk to an elementary school to get fed probably won't hold up in court.

I do not think a school lunch program is completely free. I think maybe the current lunch program has to pay employees to cook and serve the food and not all food is subsidized. If you have any possible solutions to the high school lunch program, I am sure the superintendent and/or school board would be happy to listen to you and share their perspective with you.

Knowledge gives you understanding and an open mind to new ideas.

After some research, it appears as though a hot lunch program is not mandatory for any school. A school district actually has to make application and pass certian standards for Federal assistance with the program. My recollection of the beginning of the hot lunch program in Miles City was because a small group of people began to research the number of children in Miles City that were going to school hungry. If I recall right the number was larger than a person might expect. This group than began to push hard for a hot lunch program. When the school board begrudgingly started the program it began as a contract at the Holy Rosary Hospital kitchen. This was before the new kitchen was built. My first year in high school, I did not have a car, so either went home and fixed my own lunch or went hungry. I did not live close as my be suggested in a later comment. I was too cool for a bike too. I was very fortunate that this was actually a choice for me. I know of kids that dont have that choice. They go to school hungry and come home hungry. I agree that it might not hurt to have lunches dropped at the high school just like all other schools. I am not sure how many high school students would take advantage.

There were higher participation rates when a sack lunch was offered to the High School students, vs. the hot lunch at Lincoln idea. It is more work for the kitchen staff to build cold lunches, but it was done previously for a whole school year and seems to be better received by the high school population. There are alot more kids going hungry at lunch time than people realize. There are also a fair number of students who go eat at the Methodist Church every Wednesday for free!!

Mule, my friend, you need to do some actual research.

It might be that in other states a majority of highschool students don't drive, but this is Montana. Kids get their licenses as soon as they can, and others carpool. Most students prefer the break from the school.

When else are you going to get your smoke break during the school day, amirite?

It sounds like CCHS lunch has improved since I was there. We were allowed to sit in the auditorium and eat our cold sack lunch. There were no microwaves or tables. At least now lunch could include warmed up leftovers or a can of soup. Not so bad.

Custer County District High School - Lunch
One and two percent white and one percent chocolate milk are offered daily.
Monday - Ham sandwiches, Romaine salad, Mandarin oranges and juice bar.
Tuesday - Fish, Potato Smiles, fruit mix and Go-gurt.
Wednesday - Fried rice, one egg roll, oriental veggies and pineapple.
Thursday - Beef barley soup, whole wheat roll, celery with ranch dressing and banana chips.
Friday - Chicken Alfredo, whole wheat roll, peas and apple slices.

So they obviously have a lunch program or they wouldn't run a menu.

Potato Smiles and Gogurt.


I think my soggy PB&J with chocolate milk in a Star Wars lunchbox is sounding better than ever.

When I was in high school we just piled 7 people in the cab of a chevy S-10 and drove to Hardee's for a student combo which was a double cheeseburger, small fries, and a coke for like $2.50.

Amorette yes, you have to walk to Lincoln to get it.

That is one block. I would think a kid who wanted a hot lunch could get one. I suspect someone told their Mom that there was NO hot lunch because said kid didn't want to eat a school lunch. Let's face it, even the best hot lunch is still institutional cooking. Although I am told the egg rolls are pretty impressive.

Let's face it, even the best hot lunch is still institutional cooking.

I have fond memories of the great hot lunches at Sacred Heart High School. Nothing "institutional" about it. We had cake and pie.

Richard, we still have cake at Sacred Heart! White Texas Sheet cake or chocolate.

Sacred Heart has awesome hot lunches!

The high school doesn't offer hot lunches AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. Don't blame any kid who won't go over to the elementary school to eat. It WOULD be embarrassing and frankly, the kids would probably rather not eat at all.I have no problem with kids leaving the area for lunch. However, I was thinking about the expense, the terrible winter roads at times, the health value of the lunch, and etc. Bet not too many get milk and fruit/veggie with their lunch (and french fries don't count LOL)I don't know any place that offers a student discount. I was just wondering WHY no lunch program at the high school. I am not being accusatory. I still don't know why...this is one of the few towns of this size I've ever known that doesn't.

Are you familier with how mill-levies are thought of in :mc There is the answer to your question. There aren't too many towns this size that have used a split-shift school day either.

The school lunch program at the high school was dropped because not enough students used it and the school was losing money. So many sudents drive out to Haynes Avenue for fast foods. Student nutrition was never a great priority when I was on the board. As I said before, if it is important to you, talk to the superintendent. There may be a new mind set and the administration may be more receptive to a hot lunch program.

I wasn't a cool kid. I would walk a block for lunch and not worry about my social status. Pity that coolosity is more important than food.

I don't see how walking a block makes it a big deal. But, you have to remember after 8 years I believe of eating the same food, wouldn't you rather have fast food or go home for the last 4?