This has nothing to do with the band, but I wanted to see what you guys thought about this. I know some of you are teachers on here, so maybe you can tell me how it works at your school.

I went to my son's school today to take him his inhaler, they told me he was at lunch and I could find him in the cafeteria. The volunteer who told me this said it was very quiet in there because no talking was allowed...I said hmmm...really...none? Anyway I went to the cafeteria, and you could have heard a pin drop. Not only was it it silent they were all sitting on the just one side of the tables, they couldn't even face each other. It was bizarre if you ask me....in the past they have had a red, yellow, green system where if the kids got too out of control they were put on red and no talking after that. I understand they need control of the kids but this seems extreme, there is absolutely no talking in the hallways, bathrooms and in some areas the playground as well as the gym.

I have great respect for educators my two best friends are teachers and I am even in school completing my degree to teach. How does it work at your local schools, does this sound too extreme or am I overreacting? It may have to do with the size of our school...approx. 600 students in K-5....what do you all think?

I'm so glad you aren't letting this go! Thanks for updating and best wishes on your continued search in to what the heck is going on around there.

It all just sounds so weird!

It's kind of "1984 meets Children of the Corn" or something. Very unnatural. Poor kids! I'd have hated school, too.

Yes! Freaky...avoid any child name Molakai...

Talk to a local jailer, I bet even in a county lock up they get to talk!

Really, they do! (Um, I mean, I have no experience with this, but I think you may be right....)

I have been looking more into the whole 'no talking' at lunch thing. My daughter who is in 1st grade says they are allowed to talk as long as they don't get too loud, so I'm thinking that maybe it's the older kids? I don't know,I am looking into other schools in the district but am finding out that they usually don't allow talking either...wth? We live on the border of two states and I talked with a teacher last night about the policy at their school that is across the state line and just this year they have started to let kids talk at lunch. It is so bizarre, but then again I'm not there all day to see why the rules are so extreme. I looked into private schools but sooo can't afford that. Next step I am talking with other parents and our new principal...wish me luck!

Good luck! This is so weird. I would understand if it were a one time "punishment" thing, but omg...they'd have kicked me and my kid out by now. lol

DD is upset b/c this year the new principal put into place assigned seating at lunch, but you can at least talk! geesh... Not natural!

Glouc (love the name btw!!) you crack me up!

I live across the street from a teacher, and she said they have a quiet corner. It is a punishment corner. Kids caught throwing food or messing with another students food, or yelling after receiving a quiet countdown card..which is like the red, yellow card, they get warned, and get a countdown card, and if they have to be spoke to again--then they are escorted with their tray to the quiet corner.

She said it is noisy, but only because dozens and dozens of conversations are going on, and laughing, she said it is happy time.

She also said she HAD heard of this, and she understood the reports and results were not positive, and said she would ask around and see if anyone remembers where they saw it or what brought up the discussion with them-------in the teachers lounge----where THEY too were talking!

The woman I work with is one that gives the silent treatment, or won't speak if she is in a bad mood for whatever reason (and that is often)--and if I didn't have patients to speak to I'd go crazy!

I would be letting the PUBLIC know, that I think is going to be your best ally. Here we are a diverse group of people, some with kids grown (me) others with kids not in school yet (Heart)--some with kids that age----and we ALL find it disturbing, and NO ONE has stood up for the practice. We all come from different areas of the country, and different backgrounds and none of us finds it a healthy atmosphere. So my way of thinking is if you bring public outcry over it---your results would fall like ours here. Sure there will be supporters, but I am betting a lot more will be aghast over it as we were....as YOU were!