BELLE — A longer lunch period combining time to eat, study and participate in activities is among the ideas students are exploring through Belle High School’s student advisory committee.

The proposal, described as a “power lunch,” came up during the Maries County R-2 Board of Education’s Oct. 27 meeting. No schedule change was approved.

Belle High School Principal Kaci Jones said the advisory committee has 12 members, with representation from every grade. Jones accepted everyone who completed an application, saying their willingness to apply demonstrated an interest in participating.

The group is giving Jones feedback about students’ experiences and possible changes at the school.

During student representative Savannah LASTNAMEPLEASE report to the board, the power lunch concept was described as moving time currently used for end-of-day advisory into an extended lunch period.

Students could use the additional time to study, eat or take a break. The discussion also included an example from another school where students with missing assignments would be required to spend part of that period completing schoolwork.

The committee has discussed different approaches, but details about how such a schedule would work at Belle remain under consideration.

Board members suggested obtaining feedback from administrators at schools already using the model. LASTNAMEPLEASE said Jones planned to contact other schools.

Students have also expressed interest in being able to visit different advisory classrooms during their eighth hour. According to the student report, Jones planned to review that possibility over Christmas break.

Jones said committee members have offered useful insights and plenty of ideas during their meetings.

The committee is also helping Jones consider a broader question: how to encourage students to take greater ownership of their academic performance.

During a separate discussion of state assessment results, Jones said she had asked members how the school could help students become more invested in doing well.

Jones described student motivation as an area she wants to address, including helping students understand the purpose of assessments and how the results relate to their goals.