At Meadowfield Elementary School in Columbia, [S.C.] silence among students isn't a preference - it's a requirement.

When the school's 600-plus students returned from winter break Tuesday, they couldn't banter in the hallways or swap stories in the cafeteria, thanks to a new silence policy.

Instead, students read books while waiting for the school day to begin and listen to classical music in the school's corridors and cafeteria.

The change has parents talking; some say the policy goes too far. They'll discuss the new policy with school leaders at a meeting Monday.

"This is going overboard," said Billy Smith, a father of two Meadowfield students. "I grew up talking to my friends during lunch and using those socialization skills. Kids need that."

Smith and others say their children don't like the policy either. It was all they could talk about when they got home. A committee of parents and teachers came up with the idea to thwart bad behavior and inappropriate conversations among students.

"I don't know why, but during the last few years, they (students) haven't had as much control of themselves," said Meadowfield teacher Lisa Curtis, who chaired the committee.

"Even parents were saying that it seems a little more chaotic in the halls. You could tell the climate was changing and we needed to change with it." So the group decided silence was the best policy.

But it's not a permanent change.

If students do a good job of keeping mum, they'll soon be allowed to whisper. They'll also get lessons on what's appropriate conversation for school.*

"Not everyone knows what it means to whisper," said Paula Stephens, the school's principal. "But everyone knows what silence is. We're starting with that as our baseline." Stephens argues the policy is not as restrictive as critics think. Lunch is only 20 minutes. And most schools require silence in the hallways, she said.

Eventually, Meadowfield will install a traffic light in the cafeteria. A green light will mean students can talk freely. But it will change to a yellow warning light if the talk gets too loud. And if students don't get the message, the light will turn red, requiring silence.

For now, many of the teachers are loving the silence policy, Curtis said. "It's amazing how well it's working," she said. "The learning environment is better. The students are being more polite. There's no bickering. I'm so proud of them."

But some parents say it's unfair punishment.

"I'm surprised at how inclusive the rule is," said Lee Crabtree, mother of a Meadowfield fourth-grader. "What about the ones that do their work and behave appropriately in school? They're being punished, too."

Reach Smith at (803) 771-8378 or gnsmith@thestate.com.