posted August 28, 2008
I wonder how many others are facing the new policy by the school system of denying food to our children for the current year. My son was not allowed to eat because he had a $1.25 balance on his food account. He was not told yesterday that his account was close to being overdrawn and, since he is like most kids, he doesn't keep track of how much he has left.
So he wants to eat today and could not because of the new policy of denying any credit. He asked for at least a peanut butter sandwich and they pay up the next day and was denied by all the school leaders.
This is another policy that is zero tolerance and is carried to the extreme. The other side effect is that if a child has some money, they go to the vending machine to get something that is even less healthy. If they can't eat they will be more likely to be sleepy after lunch and thus not paying attention. This should be an area where compromise should be possible. I would like to hear if other parents are also finding this policy affecting them.
Bruce Caldwell
Signal Mountain
sarmatt25@comcast.net
* * *
Mr. Caldwell's point was made very well. I've discussed this recently with other mothers. My child is in ninth grade and I can only assume the schools assumes the kids are responsible enough to keep up with their lunch balances. Speaking for my family, I can tell you that is not the case! Maybe I could understand denying a child lunch if he was about $25 in the red. The school system only seems to see thinks black or white with no in between. Does anyone have any common sense anymore?
I'm also surprised that there is not any better accounting of the numerous checks I send for lunch money. I find myself thinking I cannot believe he's already gone through that $30 check I just sent! Sure, you can request a print out of the daily lunch purchases, but can your child remember what he ate and how much he paid last week? I had a situation last year where my daughter's check was posted to the wrong child and she was embarrassed by the cafeteria lady who told her that if she was lying about bringing a check on last Monday, she was going to get in trouble.
I would guess that most everyone either has a computer at home or has access to one. A simple solution would be when the child's lunch balance gets below a certain amount, the parent receives an email or even better set up pass codes, similar to www.yourhomework.com and put the responsibility back in the parent's hands for checking what their child is purchasing and what the remaining balance is.
Ann Williams
Chattanooga
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