School bans talking at lunch

WARWICK, R.I. (AP) -- Class, from now on there will be no talking at lunch.

A Roman Catholic elementary school adopted new lunchroom rules this week requiring students to remain silent while eating. The move comes after three recent choking incidents in the cafeteria.

No one was hurt, but the principal of St. Rose of Lima School explained in a letter to parents that if the lunchroom is loud, staff members cannot hear a child choking.

Well, there is a new approach.

Trains children to live in the new, improved United States sans the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

But it could help children concentrate on eating...

Private institution at their best.

I disagree with this ruling by the principal. The students probably have very little opportunity to talk with each other during classtime, so the cafeteria is where they can relax, speak casually, and spend time with their friends in a supervised setting.

Why not just require quieter conversation? Why not just require more supervision by those who are in the cafeteria with the students?

When students are properly supervised, choking can still occur, of course, but the supervisors should be close enough to make sure the choking student is helped immediately. Noise should have nothing to do with it.

Where is the staff / teachers during this time? Have some of the staff / teachers eat with them and their will be more people to watch! SILENCE !!

Lunch is one of the only times kids have to socialize. I think they will find that if the students can't socialize during lunch they will be more disruptive in class.

I have done my share of lunch duty and I can truly say it isn't fun... but hey, kids do NEED to have some time of their OWN.

Good points sadie, from the front lines...