Elgin school bans talking during lunch

September 17, 2009 (ELGIN, Ill.) District officials explain the reason behind the silent eating exercise is that the children have only 20 minutes to eat and many students haven't been able to finish their lunches while they've been talking.

School officials implemented the no talking policy for one day only.

They sent out a phone message to parents that said in part: "We have elected to institute a silent lunch. As a staff, we do not anticipate this being a permanent change, with the hope that the students will be more willing or able to demonstrate their understanding of the lunchroom expectations in the near future."