R.I. School Bans Talking at Lunch

Joey Paone, 6, left, of Warwick, R.I., a first-grader at the St. Rose of Lima School in Warwick, departs the school with his mother, Thina Paone, center, and 1-year-old brother, Lorenzo, right, as classes let out Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007. The school instituted new rules this week that require students to remain silent during lunch following three recent choking incidents in the school cafeteria. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne - AP)

"It seems kind of ridiculous in our opinion," she said. "Kids need that social time, and they just need time to be kids at that age."

The principal's letter also spelled out other new lunch rules, including requiring students to stay in their seats and limiting them to one trip to the trash can. Any child who breaks the rules will serve detention the next day.

Paone's 6-year-old son, Joey, said he accepts the changes, but some of his classmates were having trouble obeying the rules.

Kara Casali, who also has a 6-year-old son at the school, said the rules against talking will be tough to enforce.

"I can't imagine having a silent lunch," she said.

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On the Net:

St. Rose School: http://www.saintroseschool.com/