The last bell prior to the lunch period rings five minutes prior to the time the students are eating lunch. Time for lunch cannot be added into the total number of hours of instruction. Time scheduled in addition to lunch may count as recess time if all students participate in the activity. If the period of time scheduled is only for the students to take a mid-day meal, it may not be added to the total. The maximum time counted as recess is 30 minutes per day.
Some schools have a staggered starting and ending schedule for the students.
Yes, as long as each student's instructional schedule meets the required time. Some students are dismissed two periods prior to the end of the school day to participate in practice for sports or other activities. Because sports or other extracurricular activities are not considered a part of the instructional day, these students would not be provided the mandated time allocation. In some districts, students in lower grade levels may be picked up ten minutes earlier than the usual dismissal time so that they can be moved to another location for transportation purposes. No, this situation does not meet the requirements of the standard.