Hi Chrystal, Our school uses aides from kindergarten and various classes that are taken for lunch time duty. They also do indoor and outdoor recess. No spanking or swatting would ever be tolerated. We also have a volunteer form that goes out to the parents in the beginning of the year for various functions, and cafeteria is one of the items on the form. We try to have atleast two parent volunteers per lunch time. It doesn't always work out, but it is worth a try. You made it sound like kids were watching kids, and I don't think that would ever work properly.
Good luck!

I know I have read here before some great tips for lunchtime order...does anybody have any suggestions?? Our problem is not in the cafeteria per say, it is when the kids can't go outside and we have 5th grade classroom watchers. It has never been a problem before but with this specific group of 5th graders it is getting tough. They are not watching the kids, they are going through the teachers personal belongings, punishing kids who don't listen in a humiliating...in my son's class two boys (including mine) were "spanked" yesterday and sent into the hall...I think it was more of a swat on the butt...but still it was quite embarrasing for the kids and the teacher has complained to the principal many times because the kids are afraid of their watchers...but the principal has no more kids to use...Any ideas???