My school used this as a punishment when the kids were not listening in lunch. We had a few kids that caught on quick that if you acted out, they would have a silent lunch or the entire grade level had to eat by classroom. It created a situation where these kids were doing it to have a good laugh.
Parents spoke out against this and to send the kids acting out to the principal or have them sit separately from the others. Lunch is a time for the kids to relax, have some fun, talk to friends, etc. Having them stiffled for over 6 hours a day is not healthy or good for the children.
Our school does not have a quiet lunch hour but the children only are able to sit on one side of the table. Does any other school do this? So much for face to face interaction. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw it. I like the incentive idea...any others out there!
Glad (or sad) to know that our school isn't the only one with this issue. I can not understand how teachers can expect kids to sit during their lunch time and be "quite". It bugs me like nothing else. We have parapros that moniter our lunch times and will make whole classes write spelling words for talking. Makes me nuts. I just can't comprehend and I'm not alone. I hear parents complaining abou this all during the school year. I certainly do not think kids should be allowed to act like wild animals during lunch, but please, they are kids, please let them eat and enjoy their meal time a little. Just my opinion
I agree with OntheGo that it isn't a PTO issue. But as a parent issue, I'd definitely give my opinion. My son's k-5 school had, more or less, a silent lunch requirement. I hated it and so did my son! Luckily he only went there for K and 1st grade.
The teachers actually had to sit and eat with their classes and maintain order. If there was any noise at all the asst principal would fly across the hall, shut off the cafeteria lights and give a 5 minute lecture. It was awful. These are little kids. Sure, they can't act like a bunch of zoo monkies but some sort of activity and noise levels have to be allowed.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
One more thing....your post didn't mention but if the PTO is thinking of making a statement as a group, you might want to be careful.
Our PTO bylaws prohibit interfering with school policy "The organization shall cooperate with the school to support the improvement of education in ways that will not interfere with administration of the school and shall not seek to control its policies."
Of course individual parents have lots of rights to free speech
nope, never heard of it, sounds kind of extreme..what is their reasoning behind it? are you a public school? are the adult monitors also held to the same rule (tongue in cheek)?
maybe the kids will turn to IM'ing at lunch time, to communicate. in any event, i think they will find more downsides to whatever perceived upside they made this rule for.
maybe even it violates the kids right to free speech? shawn, where are you (he is a regular poster)
