In our school, fourth and fifth graders are in combined classes, and four to five of these classes all share lunch together in the cafeteria. For all of us, the cafeteria is the main hub of the day—a place where we finally get to eat, breathe, and catch up with friends from different classes during occasional free seating.

Recently, a strict rule has been introduced by Ms. Sullivan regarding where we are allowed to sit during these occasional cafeteria free seating times. Students are being penalized with "refocuses" simply for sitting at the same tables or trying a different table together. This petition is a polite, student-led call to action asking Ms. Sullivan to reconsider and remove these unfair table restrictions during cafeteria free seating.

The Problem: Cafeteria Seating and Unfair Penalties
Because our classes are mixed with fourth and fifth graders, the cafeteria lunch period is the best time for friends across these different classes to see each other. Free seating doesn't even happen every single day, so when it does happen, we naturally want to sit together at our regular class tables or try a table further down.

However, under the current policy, students are receiving refocuses for these normal seating choices. Even when we are just eating and hanging out without causing any trouble, we still get tracked and penalized.

Here is why this rule is unfair and needs to change:

The Setting Matters: The cafeteria is a large, shared space for four to five combined fourth- and fifth-grade classes—not a quiet, formal classroom test environment. Expecting strict, micro-managed seating charts during lunch defeats the entire purpose of a break.
Inconsistent Schedule: Because free seating doesn't happen every day, keeping track of hidden rules about who can sit where creates unnecessary confusion and anxiety for younger students.
Punishing Normal Socializing: Getting a refocus should be reserved for actual, serious behavioral issues—not for sitting at the "wrong" table with your friends while eating lunch.
What We Are Asking For
We deeply respect Ms. Sullivan and want to maintain a positive relationship with our teachers. We are not asking for chaos, nor are we trying to ignore school standards. We simply want a reasonable and fair policy for our occasional cafeteria free seating.

We ask that Ms. Sullivan:

Stop Automatic Refocuses: End the practice of giving out refocuses for table choices during cafeteria free seating.
Judge Behavior, Not Seating: If a specific group is genuinely being disruptive, address that specific behavior rather than penalizing students just for sitting together.
Restore Trust: Allow fourth and fifth graders to enjoy our occasional free seating periods in the cafeteria without the constant stress of an unfair disciplinary mark.
Sign the Petition
Lunch should be a time to recharge, not a time to stress over where you are sitting. By signing this petition, you are supporting a respectful conversation with Ms. Sullivan to bring fairness back to our cafeteria free seating. Let’s work together to fix this rule!