On Thursday, Jan. 8, HHS students experienced quite a shock when hearing the news that Omelette Day was being removed from the school lunch schedule.

Every two Thursdays, HHS students had the choice to personalize their own breakfast meal at the do-it-yourself omelette bar, along with the choice of one or two pancakes, home-style potatoes, and maple syrup.

In response to the news of the cancellation, students took to social networks such as Twitter and Facebook, believing that the end of Omelette Day was a punishment for students.

However, that was not the case.

Glen Ritter, Assistant Food Service Director of HHS, explained that having the omelettes being cooked in front of students was a fire hazard.

“When you cook any [food] in the school’s kitchens, a hood or [protection] to cover the open flame is needed. [HHS] didn’t realize this would be a problem,” Ritter said.

Kathryn Hernke, dietitian, nutritionist, and mother to an HHS student, is working toward bringing Omelette Day back to HHS.

“[Hopkins Student Nutrition Services, provider of the school meal program,] has been working closely with the city inspectors to make sure safety standards are in place, including ventilation for gas burners and shields between the customer and the food being cooked,” Hernke said.

Hernke herself is a fan of Omelette Day and is looking forward to the return of the lunch.

“I like to hear positives about school lunches, especially when vegetables are included and it’s made fresh in front of students,” Hernke said. “If the school can afford to implement the solutions that were discussed, I’m sure omelettes will be back.”

Ritter, like Hernke, is working to bring back Omelette Day.

“Omelette Day was obviously a fan favorite among the food choices [at HHS]. If [HHS] can come up with a new solution to make sure that Omelette Day is no longer a fire hazard, Omelette Day will come back,” Ritter said.