For a lot of children, lunchtime is a chance to spend time with friends and take a break from school work. But for others, the **cafeteria** can be a lonely place.
"If you are a new student at school, the most frightening part of your day is finding a place to sit at lunch," says Mr. Smith, an official at Parker School. To make sure that no one eats alone, school officials assign (分配) students seats in the cafeteria on certain days. Smith says this gives students a chance to get to know more classmates.
Many schools across the United States have similar sitting rules. Some school officials say assigning seating can prevent bullying (霸凌). Others point out that it also makes the lunchroom more organized, since students aren’t racing in to get the best seats.
But some people say assigning seating doesn’t settle any problems. They argue that forcing children to sit together won’t make them become friends. It could bring about more problems if these students don’t get along. And many people point out that lunch is one of the few times when children can have some freedom in school.
At Gardener School, students can sit wherever they want at lunch. “Letting students have a choice is important,” says a fifth-grade teacher at the school. “It keeps students interested in learning.”
What does Gardener School do about lunchtime seating?