Reply #25: It's more today, and school's harder.

[knitter4democracy]

School lunch is $1.95 every day, with another dollar for a doubled main dish. I forget how much milk is if you bring your lunch, but it's included in the school lunch.

The kids are doing far more, curriculum-wise, in the elementary than ever. Algebra's introduced in first or second grade at the latest (balancing equations, variables, you name it), science is a huge part of the curriculum with lab reports and experiments on a regular basis, and the teachers barely have the time for the fun things that kids love anymore. They need those lunches to keep going, as well as snack time, recess, and the rest. Too many kids aren't eating breakfast anymore (though our school provides it for a cost), so it's the only meal some kids get.