Take Note

When students at two Wayne County, W.Va., high schools were told that their lunch period would be cut back to accommodate more classes, they took to the streets. Apparently, a little civil unrest can go a long way.

When school officials at Vinson High School cut 15 minutes from the students' 45-minute lunch period, 80 students protested on the sidewalk outside the school, demanding more meal time. After a little negotiation, Principal John Mullens decided last week to rejigger the schedule. Now students who don't have other lunch-period obligations--an appointment with a teacher or a test to make up--will have 50 minutes to munch their lunch.

"I'm satisfied. They're satisfied. Everything is...