The Mean Girls movie provides just one example of the rigid social structure that decides which students enjoy companionship at lunch time and which don't. Since loneliness sometimes causes students to take out their resentment with violent measures or to turn inward with mental health problems, suggestions for improving social interactions at school lunch times merit attention.
I recall a TV segment that featured a student who took it upon himself to seek out those he saw eating by themselves during high school lunch periods. He sat with them, got to know them, and invited them to interact with him at any time in the halls and classrooms, not just at lunch. Soon, he had inspired other students to join him in being on the lookout for lunch time loners.
One of the best aspects of globalization is the opportunity it provides to spot innovations in one country that could be adopted in others. According to trendwatching.com, the Costa Coffee cafe chain in the UK places signs on tables to indicate reserved seating for customers who want to chat. Could schools do the same, and, maybe, often change signs to suggest conversation topics of the day that also could inspire discussions at other tables? Making table signs (with cartoons on them?) might be a great service project for a school club.
When I was in graduate school, a professor urged MBA students to avoid sitting by themselves or with the same people at lunch every day after they entered the business world. He especially urged marketing students to use lunches to get to know employees in finance, accounting, and other departments who will need to support new products that have no track record.
Also, it's always a good idea to get out of the building at lunch time, take a walk, and see what's happening in the neighborhood. Getting out is a reminder that there is more to life than school or a career.
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