European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 18, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 12 the stars and stripes education monday january 18,1993 by controversial quiet program by Jim Jones education writer Mannheim Germany a a quiet lunch policy at Mannheim elementary school criticized by some parents for creating a restrictive atmosphere is necessary to avoid a chaos Quot at the second largest such . School in Germany officials said last week. A chaos was the Basic reason Quot behind the program which requires pupils to eat quietly in the lunchroom and sends them to a a timeout table Quot for infractions said the school s principal Joan Wilcox. Before the policy was implemented at the Start of this school year lunch a was unmanageable Quot she said. The problem has stemmed at least in part from the draw Down which has limited the number of Volunteer maj Milors at the 1,750-Pupil elementary school she said. But some parents have called the quiet lunch degrading. In a letter to the stars and stripes one Parent noted a a nazi Type Quot atmosphere in the lunchroom and said children Are being deprived of time to improve social skills and to become aware of the Many cultures and diverse backgrounds within the Community. Another Parent sat Down at lunch one Day and told children they did not need to obey the rules As Long As she was there. Wilcox describing herself As a a controversial principal Quot said she believes the program is Best for children. Many schools in the department of defense dependents schools have similar policies she said. And such rules Are set at the school level based on what works Best locally. A we will take the heat Quot Wilcox said. Quot you have to have some limits some boundaries for your children and some Way to manage Large groups of  at lunchtime last week youngsters filed into the cafeteria watched by a handful of monitors and directed by a lunchroom Leader using a Public address system. Whispered conversations among the 350 to 400 children brought no reaction but loud outbursts earned a trip to the timeout table. That scene contrasted with lunchroom activities before the program started according to school nurse Verlayn Sulzer. A discipline was a problem Quot she said. A it was loud it was confusing and Chil. Dren were throwing plates full of food into the garbage can. Children at this age if Given the Opportunity will socialize and not  at that time Selzer said she was concerned at the number of children complaining of headaches and stomachaches shortly after lunch. Since quiet lunches were instituted the number of children she sees with those same ailments has a dropped to Zero she said Theriault Todd a practising child psychologist who has taught for the University of Maryland said Sel Zeps observations a certainly Are consistent with my experience  some children would feel stressed by the commotion she said. A in theory it certainly seems a Good program Quot Todd said. A in practice it would depend on How its  the local Parent teacher and student association passed a Resolution supporting the quiet lunch. A the people who have objected the strongest have not brought it to me Quot said Victoria Tomlinson left attends to youngsters who must raise their hands to get her attention during the no Talkun lunch la and Helm elementary school in Germany. Y what three fifth graders have to say Alk try the quiet lunch policy at Mannheim elementary. Michael Brown a its better than when i was in third Grade. Really you had to yell to talk to somebody. It seems to be  Romondo Porchia Jordan Hulett Quot sometimes we Don t Quot people still talk. It s even get recess. It would quieter. It would be Nice be a Good idea if we could talk after we get through eating. It s not a Good Rule to be quiet All through lunch. If we could talk but since we can to we just have to live with  s4s a pair of Mannheim elementary children seem to be going by the lunchtime rules. The association s president Jackie whig Ham. And what about the children reviews were mixed wednesday. Fifth grader Michael Brown who was seated at the a timeout table Quot wednesday for laughing had no problem with rules. The a quieter Quot lunch period is a definitely Quot better he said. Some of his classmates called the policy a stupid a Michael said although he did not know Why. A most of them Haven to been sent to the timeout . Children Are sent to the table for infractions such As sticking a child with a Fork taking food off another a plate or throwing food. A i done to like it because you can to talk to your friends Quot said 11-year-old James Zar Gan. A and during school we done to usually have time to talk to our friends because we Are always doing work. Its not fair that we done to get to talk during  a they always give out awards for the quietest lunch table a another child said. Quot that is a bribe. Its  principal Joan Wilcox. Quot we will take 1 the  school nurse Verlayn Selzer. A discipline was a problem