"He's very hyper. He takes medicine for it but that doesn't control all of his energy," says Melissa Woodyard, an Abilene ISD parent.
Which is why Woodyard says it's so important for her son who has ADHD, to get that freedom to interact with his classmates during lunch..
"Lunch time and recess time are the only times our kids have to socialize with each other because when they talk in class, they get in trouble," says Woodyard.
However, if they get too loud at lunch, disciplinary actions are still enforced.
"Most of the time when you bring it to their attention that they need to be a little quieter they'll quiet down pretty fast," says Darlene Ritchie.
Ritchie is the cafeteria manager at Allie Ward Elementary and says there has to be some sort of way to control the students, or else it would be a zoo.
"If you turn it on green, it's kind of like cars, they're going to go 150, but we turn it on red occasionally just to kind of get things evened out," Ritchie explains.
She says for the most part students in her cafeteria maintain a yellow status.
It allows kids to socialize, but know if they get too loud, they will be punished.
"I realized they're cooped up in a classroom, but then again, it's just a discipline thing we have to teach them to discipline," says Ritchie.
Woodyard understands discipline, but thinks this restriction has gone too far.
"It's taking away from our kids and it's not right," says Woodyard.
Which is why Woodyard says it's so important for her son who has ADHD, to get that freedom to interact with his classmates during lunch..
"Lunch time and recess time are the only times our kids have to socialize with each other because when they talk in class, they get in trouble," says Woodyard.
However, if they get too loud at lunch, disciplinary actions are still enforced.
"Most of the time when you bring it to their attention that they need to be a little quieter they'll quiet down pretty fast," says Darlene Ritchie.
Ritchie is the cafeteria manager at Allie Ward Elementary and says there has to be some sort of way to control the students, or else it would be a zoo.
"If you turn it on green, it's kind of like cars, they're going to go 150, but we turn it on red occasionally just to kind of get things evened out," Ritchie explains.
She says for the most part students in her cafeteria maintain a yellow status.
It allows kids to socialize, but know if they get too loud, they will be punished.
"I realized they're cooped up in a classroom, but then again, it's just a discipline thing we have to teach them to discipline," says Ritchie.
Woodyard understands discipline, but thinks this restriction has gone too far.
"It's taking away from our kids and it's not right," says Woodyard.
Comments
My daughter is a student at Ward Elementary. I had lunch with her in Oct. The cageteria lady in this video is full of [censored]. I witnessed the cafeteria monitors yelling at the kids. They were not allowed to talk for the 30 minute duration of lunch. I was disgusted. I have had several problems with the staff at Ward Elementary. I am glad this story was brought to light. I believe it needs to be followed up with the district. The children get very little social interaction during the day. It saddens me that they are not allowed to socialize during their lunch time. Good job Ms Woodyard for bringing this to light.
Brenna C.
February 16, 2012 at 8:47 am
