1. The Value of Caring
Why the implementation of “Lunch partners” can dramatically improve student mental health, social skills, and school performance.

2. Introduction
Everyday students come to school carrying more than just a backpack’s worth of weight.
Student’s home life and life at school play a large role in their school performance.
Social Isolation is a dangerous thing for students who are significantly burdened

3. Advocacy
Here at our school, it is our mission that every child be successful
A key component of success is being able to maintain a healthy mind and body
Some students are experiencing tremendous amounts of stress which is effecting their social life and school performance
There is a system that we can implement school wide which can help elevate this issue

4. What is it? Lunch Partners
Some schools give this program different names, but the goal is the same:
Connect students together during the lunch period
Provide support for the student during a trying time
Potentially raise the spirits of the troubled student

5. What does it look like
Teachers play an very important role in identifying students in need
The teacher will notify a board of fellow teachers in charge of the program
The board will contact students who volunteer to be lunch partners and connect them with the student in question
The goal is to have lunch partners for any student in need with in the first 48 hours that they are brought before the board.

6. Testimonials
I have received multiple success stories from peers and students alike
“When I lost a family member, having those students next to me, supporting me… It made all the difference
“I was a volunteer for the lunch program and I learned so much from interacting with the various students we sat with.”

7. Why addressing it would help
Providing close support for students will improve their mental health
Relieving the stress of students needs to be a main goal of ours
Stress free environments promote learning
When students are freed of emotional weights, they are more likely to make better strides in their studies

8. how to implement
First, we will need to create a board of teachers who will over see the program
They will be in charge of investigating students who are made know to the board that are going through a hard time.
The board will also establish a volunteer base of students who they can contact to partner with the students in need

9. Benefits
Students who are volunteering for the service and receiving the service will both receive enrichment and insight into interpersonal relationships.

10. Outro/Final Thoughts
This program has worked in schools all over the country.
We have a responsibility toward students who are struggling both in and out of school.
This program will help students quality of life and education.