When should a school intervene? Never? (school lunch issue)

I have a student (2nd grader) who usually comes to school eating from a gigantic bag of Doritos and drinking a brightly colored energy drink. That's her breakfast. Sometimes she has Cheetos instead.

I don't intervene. Would you?

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unknown

I work in administration for an independent school district. My advice is that you should not take any action on your own. You should share your concerns with a school social worker or at the very least go up the chain of command within administration. Document the concern along with your actions and any follow up. Many schools have free/reduced breakfast and lunch programs which provide very nutritionally balanced meals. The social worker could make sure the parents are educated on this process if they are simply unable to provide more nutritious meals for the child without feeling chastised or shamed. By no means should you ever intervene without going through the proper channels. That's a liability concern for you and your school district.

unknown

chrisskellinton wrote: »

It's not your business........I wish teachers would stop trying to be doctors, therapist and social workers.

They barely have control of their class.

Hardly any wonder if kids are allowed to consume energy drinks. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

unknown

trivard676 wrote: »

I grew up eating Lunchables and a not-actually-milk milkshake for most of Kindergarten, and that was it. No apple or celery for a snack, no carrots or salad, nothing else. Would you call that healthy? Would you talk to my parents face to face about how you disapproved of their food choices for their child? Or would you silently thank them for feeding me at all? Is this a child that is being abused or neglected otherwise? Does the family not have enough money to spend on other, healthier foods? I know, that sounds ridiculous, but junk food is often times less expensive than healthier alternatives. Are there any other indicators of abuse or neglect?

If not, I'm afraid that you're going to have to educate on healthier alternatives during (if you have one) a food and nutrition course. If this is something that really bothers you, talk to the principal about implementing policies about no energy drinks at school. Energy drink aside (because kids shouldn't be drinking those), this could be an instance where mom and dad are doing the best they can and giving them a breakfast and little Janie decided that she wanted some Cheetos before school.

I would only intervene if there were indicators of abuse or neglect. We all want the best for future generations, but sometimes we have to pick our battles.

I had a foster child whose mom got free chips and doritos when they were out of date. It was the best she could do with no income and her lack of financial planning. At least they didn't starve. I would only do something if it appeared to be severe abuse/neglect.

unknown

BinkyBonk wrote: »

chrisskellinton wrote: »

It's not your business........I wish teachers would stop trying to be doctors, therapist and social workers.

They barely have control of their class.

Hardly any wonder if kids are allowed to consume energy drinks. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

nods.
I honestly don't see any issue with a "no soda/no energy drinks" rule imposed for like for a certain age group- but not hiding behind the pretense of health- it's a reality if you giave a 30 pound child 12 oz of red bull - odds are it's going to be a distruption.

I'd put that in the same bucket as "don't bring those noise clappers people use at hockey games to class" and that goes for everyone- only because it's a distraction.

Ah, didn't say they were, read again please. Comment not directed to you btw. Entitled to my opinion. Thanks anyway.

no you didn't- but you laid on the "my kids need to understand what healthy is" BS pretty thick. And much like you're entitled to your opinion- given that it's an open forum- I'm free to comment on your entitled opinion.

Don't like it- take the conversation into a private message. And you're more than welcome- I aim to please.

unknown

Gotta jump back into the convo now that I'm back from school.

I teach children and young adults age 10 to 18 and I don't just see myself as being the person who talks to them about history and literature but also as another person who cares for them. I know "my" kids. When one of them looks upset, I'll ask what's wrong. They tell me about poor grades or heartache or trouble with their classmates. I want them to grow up into healthy, happy adults. I give advice on how to study and - if they ask - about how to deal with situations in their person lives. One part of their life is how they eat. At my school, we don't ban candy bars etc and since I know how horrible it is to be fat-shamed, I don't talk to kids who are overweight about why they really shouldn't be having so much chocolate. And that's even though I see them eating it almost every afternoon. But when we're all at lunch, I encourage them to help themselves to some more salad or vegetables instead of only having meat and carbs. I do the same to normal-weight kids because healthy food matters. It's important for kids to eat a balanced diet so they can concentrate.

But sometimes you DO have to step up as a teacher. It's not just my MORAL duty but where I live I have a LEGAL duty to inform my superior if I think one of my pupils has health issues such as substance abuse or eating disorders. One of my older girls fainted on me TWICE and had already tried to take her life once. I sat down with her and a colleague and talked with her, again and again until she admitted she was starving herself and that she'd been abused and that she was depressed. The support she got from us teachers and the headmaster helped her talk to her parents and they sent her to a hospital. She's back now and she's not yet healthy and happy but she's doing better.

How could I ignore if one of "my" children is harming themselves? Parents don't always see these things and some don't want to see them.

I only get involved in such extreme cases but I'm sad for some of my pupils who are on their way to obesity because their lunchboxes are filled with snickers and cola. They're so often not in the middle of the games, enjoying themselves because parents either didn't care or gave in to their nagging instead of giving them healtheir options. And I don't want to hurt them more than they're already hurting by telling them what they shouldn't eat.

And to the guy who said teachers should stop trying to be a doctor, therapist or social worker. We would love to! Trust me. But if we don't reach out, nobody will. We owe it to the kids to try to help them, even if it's not strictly our line of work.

unknown

MikaMojito wrote: »

Gotta jump back into the convo now that I'm back from school.

I teach children and young adults age 10 to 18 and I don't just see myself as being the person who talks to them about history and literature but also as another person who cares for them. I know "my" kids. When one of them looks upset, I'll ask what's wrong. They tell me about poor grades or heartache or trouble with their classmates. I want them to grow up into healthy, happy adults. I give advice on how to study and - if they ask - about how to deal with situations in their person lives. One part of their life is how they eat. At my school, we don't ban candy bars etc and since I know how horrible it is to be fat-shamed, I don't talk to kids who are overweight about why they really shouldn't be having so much chocolate. And that's even though I see them eating it almost every afternoon. But when we're all at lunch, I encourage them to help themselves to some more salad or vegetables instead of only having meat and carbs. I do the same to normal-weight kids because healthy food matters. It's important for kids to eat a balanced diet so they can concentrate.

But sometimes you DO have to step up as a teacher. It's not just my MORAL duty but where I live I have a LEGAL duty to inform my superior if I think one of my pupils has health issues such as substance abuse or eating disorders. One of my older girls fainted on me TWICE and had already tried to take her life once. I sat down with her and a colleague and talked with her, again and again until she admitted she was starving herself and that she'd been abused and that she was depressed. The support she got from us teachers and the headmaster helped her talk to her parents and they sent her to a hospital. She's back now and she's not yet healthy and happy but she's doing better.

How could I ignore if one of "my" children is harming themselves? Parents don't always see these things and some don't want to see them.

I only get involved in such extreme cases but I'm sad for some of my pupils who are on their way to obesity because their lunchboxes are filled with snickers and cola. They're so often not in the middle of the games, enjoying themselves because parents either didn't care or gave in to their nagging instead of giving them healtheir options. And I don't want to hurt them more than they're already hurting by telling them what they shouldn't eat.

And to the guy who said teachers should stop trying to be a doctor, therapist or social worker. We would love to! Trust me. But if we don't reach out, nobody will. We owe it to the kids to try to help them, even if it's not strictly our line of work.

People like you are the ones who have obviously found your calling as a teacher. It's a tough job, one I could never do. Thanks for caring so much!

unknown

BinkyBonk wrote: »

chrisskellinton wrote: »

It's not your business........I wish teachers would stop trying to be doctors, therapist and social workers.

They barely have control of their class.

Hardly any wonder if kids are allowed to consume energy drinks. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Then establish an official school policy. Inform the parents of the policy. Enforce the policy.

That's the right way to do it.

Onesie, twosie ad hoc "enforcement" is a recipe for disaster.

unknown

If you have any other concerns you could have a parent/teacher conference and then bring it up at that time. Otherwise I would just document it.

unknown

I wonder if all the people crying "nanny state" would object to an 8 year old taking OTC diet pills every morning at school, unsupervised? Adding carbonated water to the same ingredients and calling it "energy drink" doesn't magically transform those unregulated, excessive doses of caffeine and other herbs into Capri Sun.

unknown

draznyth wrote: »

However, none of the above has anything to do with someone stepping in and parenting other people's children for them. It's nunya. Take care of your own kids.

Excuse me but I do take care of my kids and some that don't have food to eat. I take care of their parents too. Where I am the people still believe that it takes a community to raise a child. I share my food with the less privileged so as not to waste it. I give water to those I see nearby who are thirsty and don't have any money to buy for themselves. I am no Mother Theresa but I try my best to help out especially with the kids in the school my kids attend. Sometimes other parents need a hand sometime and helping is not illegal, that's why there are social workers and councillors.

unknown

jorinya wrote: »

I share my food with the less privileged so as not to waste it. I give water to those I see nearby who are thirsty and don't have any money to buy for themselves.

That has nothing to do with the conversation.

unknown

jorinya wrote: »

draznyth wrote: »

However, none of the above has anything to do with someone stepping in and parenting other people's children for them. It's nunya. Take care of your own kids.

Excuse me but I do take care of my kids and some that don't have food to eat. I take care of their parents too. Where I am the people still believe that it takes a community to raise a child. I share my food with the less privileged so as not to waste it. I give water to those I see nearby who are thirsty and don't have any money to buy for themselves. I am no Mother Theresa but I try my best to help out especially with the kids in the school my kids attend. Sometimes other parents need a hand sometime and helping is not illegal, that's why there are social workers and councillors.

do you find the wind messes up your hair at that altitude?

unknown

ksy1969 wrote: »

Nope, but if I did, it is none of your business.

Actually my nose is right where it should be, on my face. So the nose you found ain't mine. Ain't going to be a scapegoat!!!!

unknown

JoRocka wrote: »

no you didn't- but you laid on the "my kids need to understand what healthy is" BS pretty thick. And much like you're entitled to your opinion- given that it's an open forum- I'm free to comment on your entitled opinion.

Don't like it- take the conversation into a private message. And you're more than welcome- I aim to please.

No thanks! And btw, I'm not the only one that thinks kids should be educated, that's what schools are for my dear.

unknown

My kids' school has policies in place.. no candy, soda, energy drink (seriously though, yikes), and parents are supposed to bring a 'nutritious' snack.

I'd think that in these conditions, the principal would just send a reminder to the parents in the kids' folder (although who knows if a parent that sends kids to school with that junk actually read the school' stuff). But if there's no policy, yeah, I can't see what could be done anyway.

unknown

JoRocka wrote: »

do you find the wind messes up your hair at that altitude?

You don't have to have a personal attack. Hello but this is about nutrition for children and last I checked this is MFP not Facebook!!!!

unknown

Mr_Knight wrote: »

That has nothing to do with the conversation.

Not directed at you and ah I am entitled to defend myself and to my opinion. Thanks for your comment but nutrition is nutrition.

unknown

jorinya wrote: »

draznyth wrote: »

The amount of nanny state replies in this thread is alarming. Apparently Doritos = throwing your kid down a flight of stairs.

Do you have any kids? If so, wouldn't you like them to be healthy? If not, wait till you do and then answer the questions.
I have four kids and try my best to teach them from a young age about healthy food and healthy lifestyle. Its never too early to start eating healthy and can prevent later health issues. I give them snacks too but in moderation.
Not having a go at you, just asking cos of what you commented.

How is whether or not he has kids of his own and whether or not he wants those children, or his yet to be born children to be healthy, relevant to whether or not the OP should intervene with the child in question?

From the discussion - I like the idea of sending a note home with an overview of how the child is doing over all, and mentioning the child's breakfast in the guise of, "just wanted to make sure you were aware". Only after making sure with school administrator that there is no liability or risk in this situation.

Although, given that it is the end of the school year, you are probably better off just letting this go and maybe putting a note in the girl's file for next year's teacher that you had some concerns about her morning nutrition but you hope that things improve next year.

Do you know if there is a concern about enough food at home, or just the choice of food? Weekends, summer breaks, winter breaks, even snow days can be a big concern if families are relying on school provided meals to keep the kids fed. We had a situation last year with an extended number of snow days at the end of winter holidays and I know there was a lot of concern about students on free/reduced lunch and how long they had been without that support.

unknown

Sorry I didn't know it was pick on people and try tear them apart day. Oh my God. What so people cannot have an opinion. Please check my previous post before you try to condemn me. I did give advise to the OP if you care to read through the thread. Sorry for breathing!!

unknown

JoRocka wrote: »

skinnyinnotime wrote: »

The school should have a policy on what foods are allowed to be eaten there.

If a child isn't fed a nutrional diet it is neglect.

you can tell an entire child's diet from ONE bag of doritos and ONE can of red bull?

I'm impressed- can you tell me the lotto numbers for next week too?

PS- don't look at my weekend. It pretty much looks like I straight up had a weekend fling affair with the Debil.

You know- because Sugar = Debil.

Sugar is not the Debil. Lack of insight is the Debil. Lack of insight by consumers allows the pushers of the Standard American Diet to ruin lives as it does.

There was a bowl of sugar on the table at lunch and I put it in the garbage. Let the ants get diabetes. It can't be the Debil. Would the Debil allow me to manhandle it like that? Surely the Debil would be much more powerful than to be defeated that easily.