My thought was they just don't want you hooligans causing mischief in the hallways so they want to make sure you're in the cafeteria by the time that lunch bell rings. Gtfo my lawn.
In my high school, lunch was split into three separate lunch periods and 5th period class went on while some students were at lunch. So there was a legitimate concern for students wandering the hallways and going to distract their friends who were still in class while they were at lunch. But they didn't take attendance or anything, and we had no fancy swipe cards. Or cellphones or iPods. Or electricity, cars, or indoor plumbing. Actually the cafeteria was just the back of the cave.
In MY day, we had to walk 40 miles to school, in the snow, uphill each way. Without shoes.
I kinda get the crowd control bit, keeping people in the cafeteria or whatever, but taking attendance? Seriously? That's really a worthwhile use of your time and the taxpayers' money? =/
On my tits today:
-People in general
-My roommate (can't fucking WAIT to gtfo of here)
-Lack of communication with the person I talk to EVERY day at great length. Call it what you want, but I felt lonely, stfu
-Crazy fogging of the inside of my windshield, intensifying glare from lights x10
-Plain ol' shit days