[SoftballMominVA]

Did you notice that this is a Catholic school? I would have thought this would have always been the rule. Thought Catholic schools were pretty strict on the kids all the time, even at lunch.

Go figure

[Hoosier Catholic Momma]

We have our oldest (8 y.o.) in a Catholic school (pre-K through 6th), and I can assure you that they are allowed to talk during lunch (I volunteer to do recess duty once a week). When the bells rings to end lunch, everyone must get quiet. Then they are dismissed to quietly dispose of their trays and line up for recess (where I can assure all FReepers, they are allowed to play things like dodgeball and swing and slide and climb monkey bars like we used to do as kids). If they break the silence rule after the bell ending lunch rings, they get to wipe down the tables :)

I know to some FReepers, anything but homeschooling is unacceptable, but the school we have chosen for our daughter (after 3 years of homeschooling) is quite firm on discipline, but the kids are happy and well-taught. Their test scores prove this, and the parental involvement is very high at this school (when you're shelling out thousands of dollars a year on top of paying your taxes, you have a huge stake in what happens at the school).

As a kid growing up in Catholic schools, we were never made to keep silent at lunch. We were not disallowed from playing dodgeball, kickball, football, or any of those other 'dangerous' games. I received a top notch education with good discipline.

Bottom line...this school is nuts!!!!

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Thought Catholic schools were pretty strict on the kids all the time, even at lunch.

During my tenure (3rd-8th grade 1958-1964) that was the rule.

[Crolis]

Back when I was in Catholic grade school, our lunchroom had a device on the wall with three light bulbs: one red, yellow and green.

When green was lit, we were allowed to talk and interact, but we had to remain respectful and not become unruly. We were free to be kids though.

When yellow went on, that was a warning that we were getting loud. We could still talk, but we had to speak more quietly and generally use quiet indoor voices when it was on.

When the red light was on, no talking period. It went on for either announcements prior to recess, or if we didn't be quiet. This was enforced by issuing demerits to misbehaving kids. 5 demerits would warrant after school suspension, and all demerits would have to be signed by your parent and returned to the teacher/principal the next day.

We never really had any significant discipline problems as I recall.