Silence at school has parents talking

The State ^ | Jan. 11, 2004 | GINA SMITH

[Between the Lines]

Meadowfield Elementary’s new quiet rule gets mixed reviews from parents, teachers

At Meadowfield Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina, silence among students isn’t a preference — it’s a requirement.

When the school’s 600-plus students returned from winter break Tuesday, they couldn’t banter in the hallways or swap stories in the cafeteria, thanks to a new silence policy.

Instead, students read books while waiting for the school day to begin and listen to classical music in the school’s corridors and cafeteria.

The change has parents talking; some say the policy goes too far. They’ll discuss the new policy with school leaders at a meeting Monday.

“This is going overboard,” said Billy Smith, a father of two Meadowfield students. “I grew up talking to my friends during lunch and using those socialization skills. Kids need that.”

Smith and others say their children don’t like the policy either. It was all they could talk about when they got home.

A committee of parents and teachers came up with the idea to thwart bad behavior and inappropriate conversations among students.

“I don’t know why, but during the last few years, they (students) haven’t had as much control of themselves,” said Meadowfield teacher Lisa Curtis, who chaired the committee.

“Even parents were saying that it seems a little more chaotic in the halls. You could tell the climate was changing and we needed to change with it.”

So the group decided silence was the best policy.

But it’s not a permanent change.

If students do a good job of keeping mum, they’ll soon be allowed to whisper. They’ll also get lessons on what’s appropriate conversation for school.

“Not everyone knows what it means to whisper,” said Paula Stephens, the school’s principal. “But everyone knows what silence is. We’re starting with that as our baseline.”

Stephens argues the policy is not as restrictive as critics think. Lunch is only 20 minutes. And most schools require silence in the hallways, she said.

Eventually, Meadowfield will install a traffic light in the cafeteria. A green light will mean students can talk freely.

But it will change to a yellow warning light if the talk gets too loud.

And if students don’t get the message, the light will turn red, requiring silence.

For now, many of the teachers are loving the silence policy, Curtis said.

“It’s amazing how well it’s working,” she said. “The learning environment is better. The students are being more polite. There’s no bickering. I’m so proud of them.”

But some parents say it’s unfair punishment.

“I’m surprised at how inclusive the rule is,” said Lee Crabtree, mother of a Meadowfield fourth-grader. “What about the ones that do their work and behave appropriately in school? They’re being punished, too.”

[Joe Boucher]

In Germany they used to be called the brown shirts.
What nazi came up with this policy?
Simply let the kids be kids for goodness sake.

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[sauropod]

"But some parents say it’s unfair punishment.

“I’m surprised at how inclusive the rule is,” said Lee Crabtree, mother of a Meadowfield fourth-grader. “What about the ones that do their work and behave appropriately in school? They’re being punished, too.”

I'm in favor of the silence rule. If some parents like you Lee had been doing their job, this would not be necessary.

There should be an expectation of good and civil behavior in school. I wish my grade and secondary school education had this requirement.

[Mark was here]

A committee of parents and teachers came up with the idea to thwart bad behavior and inappropriate conversations among students.

Everyone has their monitors... the difference is the Free Republic is voluntary, while the state forces attendance in their schools.

[jigsaw]

Just doin' the kids a favor by gettn' 'em ready fer that new-fangled Campaign Reform.

[fml]

I don't know, but I like it.

[4mycountry]

>>>>Instead, students read books while waiting for the school day to begin and listen to classical music in the school’s corridors and cafeteria.


Silence? Maybe.
Books? Sure!
But classical music? Are they NUTS?!

[cubreporter]

We had to be silent going to lunch and before and after lunch. Once it was time to eat all hell broke loose (in a good way) We appreciated it when we could do something. Today kids can do anything at anytime. Where is the fun of "getting to do something?" Being silent isn't going to hurt them. We all need silence now and then. Certainly the teachers appreciate it I am sure and if the truth be know...there are probably a lot more students who like it than there are those who do not! Silenceis good for the soul now and then...even if you are a kid!

[M Kehoe]

In Germany they used to be called the brown shirts.

They are called green skirts now.

What nazi came up with this policy?

The Catholic Church

Simply let the kids be kids for goodness sake.

They usually do when behaving. Heck, I got kicked out, twice (4th and 5th grades).

Ya, I know the school is public in the article. And no one is calling the Church a nazi.

8^)

5.56mm

[M Kehoe]

Ya=Yes

Sheesh. More coffee...or maybe not?

5.56mm

[NTegraT]

I think it's GREAT! That's the way it was when I was in school 50 years ago. (we could talk in cafeteria but couldn't get up). Couldn't talk in class, study hall or homeroom. But we could study or read. Who's being punished. My kids had the traffic light in the cafeteria and that worked fine. Now my granddaughter (5 yrs old) has learned about male anatomy in the cafeteria.

[PistolPaknMama]

They’ll also get lessons on what’s appropriate conversation for school

Appropriate according to who?

[PistolPaknMama]

There should be an expectation of good and civil behavior in school

I totally agree, but we're talking about banning ALL behavior. These kids are expected to get through the day behaving as drones.

[mtbopfuyn]

Our schools have that cursed signal light in the lunch room. The school claims they want (not) parental involvement but a parent who eats lunch with their kids can't even visit because the lunch monitor is screaming to hush up and flashing the red light.

Kids can't be kids any more. They can't talk at lunch. They can't talk in class. They can't talk in the halls. They can't talk in the restrooms. The school has eliminated art, music, and even recess so when does a child learn to interact with others?

[ladylib]

Well, there goes the argument that homeschoolers don't get to socialize because they don't go to public school.

If I had a kid in this school, I'd pull him out pronto.

[ladylib]

Public schools are set up for the benefit of the adults.

[ladylib]

They don't. Your school has turned into an employement center for teachers/administrators and a test center for kids -- the absence of art, music, and recess makes it easier for teachers to drill the kids for their high-stakes tests. High-stakes tests are important for school administrators because if students do poorly, administrators are penalized (might even lose their jobs).

It must be a joyless place to be. It probably won't be remembered fondly by its little inmates when they decide where they want their children to go to school. Bet they can't talk on the bus either.

[skepsel]

Darn, and I thought you were from Minnesota!

skepsel

[zook]

Bump!