Centennial High School Implements Innovative Lunch Program

“From there they can go to the various connections.  What you see behind me is a flex learning space where kids can go to or they can stay in the cafeteria, they can go to the gym, play basketball, pickle ball, various activities.  We have yoga going on, we have a Harry Potter club going on, we have a Pinterest club, you name it we have it going on and it’s been really for kids to connect with staff and bring their anxiety and stress levels down.  So LEAP is really to work with the social/emotional aspects of students.”

In the first few months, LEAP Hour has been well received by students.

“We did a student survey and right now 90 percent of our students rated LEAP very high.  They like the hour during the day to do what they need to do, whether it’s doing homework, going to a teacher for help, or just being with their friends hanging out doing an activity of their choice,” said Breuning.

Teachers and administrators continue to get feedback from students to improve LEAP Hour. Parents also have given feedback on LEAP and so far the response has been positive.

“I’ve heard many testimonials on how parents were stressed because they thought their child wouldn’t have enough time to do homework and LEAP has given them that extra time,” said Breuning.

It took more than two years of research and planning to implement LEAP Hour at Centennial, but in just the first few months they are seeing some big changes.

“We’re only a semester in so we will definitely be looking at how kids have done grade wise.  What I can tell you up to this point is that our behavioral referrals are down.  Our mental health referrals are down.  Can we give full credit to LEAP? We don’t know yet, we’re doing the data,” said Breuning.

As LEAP continues to evolve Breuning hopes for more of a partnership with the community at large.

“Where I see LEAP evolving and what I’m excited for is community involvement.  Right now a lot of our connections are with the teachers.  We have some community members coming in, we’d like to see more community involvement with community members coming in offering connections for our kids,” said Breuning.

Administrators describe LEAP Hour as big kid recess. Giving these students a chance to just be kids again.

“Our kids spoke, their stress levels are high.  This is our way to try to lower the stress levels of our students and reenergize kids.  In my mind this is a game changer for Centennial High School,” said Breuning.