Silent Lunch has become a punishment that is used without documentation or definitive parameters. It is currently left up to the determination of individual classrooms and teachers whether they will use this measure, meaning that sometimes Silent Lunch is being used inappropriately or as a first course of action. Currently, Parents do not have to be notified if their child is required to sit through lunch at an isolated table under the watchful eye of peers, or if a child is required to stay silent through the duration of lunch.

We, the parents of Iredell-Statesville children, ask that Silent Lunch be defined within school documentation to fall into specific parameters and require documentation upon administration of the punitive measure.

1.  The handbook must specifically mention Silent Lunch as a punitive measure. Within the handbook Silent Lunch will be clearly defined as: Student will not be allowed to speak during the duration of lunch. Student will sit with the class or teacher to carry out this punishment. 
2. Steps must be taken before administering silent lunch. The student handbook will state these steps. (Examples: verbal warning, peer mediation, moving the student to a different location, classroom redirection.)
3. Never under any circumstance is Silent Lunch to include common space isolation.
4. Silent Lunch will be considered a detention and will be documented by the school.
5. Parents will be notified via documentation from the teacher or administration if Silent Lunch is administered.