Looking back on some wonderful school meals

　　LUNCHTIME was my favorite subject when I was at school. I was really good at it. Plus, I loved school lunches.

　　Many students don’t share my love. A lot of students bring their own lunches to school. Their mothers might make them sandwiches or leftovers from last night’s dinner.

　　But not me! I couldn’t wait for the school’s hot lunch. At the beginning of each month a calendar (日历) was handed out. On it was the hot lunch schedule for that month. I used to circle the days I was excited for. Chicken fingers. Mexican casserole (焙盘). Every Friday they served pizza. With the lunches they sometimes had little potatoes we call tater tots.

　　I loved waiting in line and talking with my friends. For only $1.35, which is very cheap, you would get a tray (托盘) with different foods on it and a cup of milk. I always got chocolate milk. But don’t tell my mother, she didn’t know. Then you’d carry your food to your lunch table and sit down with your friends. Boys rarely sat with girls. We’d talk about sports and TV while we ate lunch. When we finished we usually played a game with a paper football until we got in trouble.

　　In school lunch was more than a time to eat. For me it was the best part of my day!