I’m feeling pretty anxious about school tomorrow. How can I avoid embarrassment?
Just to give some context, I’m in the UK, so things might work differently here than in the US or other countries.
At my school, we have accounts for lunch payments. I’m new, and on my first day, I got a free lunch because my account wasn’t set up yet. Unfortunately, nothing was prepared, including my books and timetable, but that’s not the main issue.
On my second day, while waiting in line for lunch, I didn’t realize I needed to pay. My account was empty, and when I mentioned that I qualify for free school meals, the lunch lady deducted £2.75 from my account. Now I’m in the red at -£2.75. If my balance goes below £5, I’ll only be offered a basic sandwich instead of the regular meal. As a picky eater who doesn’t eat meat (and is particular about chicken), I fear the sandwich will contain something I won’t eat, and I could end up going hungry.
My mom has applied for free school meals, but we’re still waiting on a response. The issue is that I go back to school tomorrow, and if the approval doesn’t come through by then, my balance will drop to -£5.50. I’m worried whether I’ll get a normal meal or just that sandwich since it exceeds £5.
To complicate matters further, I’ve asked my mom to add some money to my account. She can do it, but she prefers to speak with the school and the borough first, which likely won’t happen until after lunch.
What should I do?
It sounds like you’re in a bit of a tough situation, but it’s understandable and others might have found themselves in similar positions too. Here are a few ideas on how to handle this:
Talk to a Teacher or Staff Member: It might help to explain your situation to a teacher or another staff member you trust. They can often intervene or give you advice on what to do next. They might even be able to help you get the free meal or find a temporary solution.
Communicate with the Lunch Staff: If you’re comfortable, you could speak directly to the lunch staff when you get there. Explain your situation and let them know you’re waiting on the free school meals application. They might have a way to give you a meal without going straight to a sandwich.
Ask a Friend for Help: If you have made any friends at school, consider asking one of them if they can lend you a little money for lunch. You can pay them back once your situation is sorted out.
Prepare Some Snacks: If it’s possible, bring some snacks from home to eat during lunch. This way, if you do end up with a sandwich you don’t like, you’ll at least have something to eat.
Keep Checking in with Your Mom: It might help to remind your mom about the lunch money situation closer to your lunchtime, in case she has an update or something changes.
Stay Positive: Remember, schools are used to students having hiccups like this, especially at the beginning of the school year. It’s okay to feel embarrassed, but try to stay positive—most people will be understanding!
Hopefully, this will get sorted out quickly so you can enjoy your lunches at school! Good luck!