Elem school -sack lunches in classroom from now on!

[LuvCuteBoys]

You should see what BVSD has been doing for the past 2 years - only in crunchy land.

Hot lunches are now ALL organic, including the milk and all food. There is no processed food, all is made from scratch. No white flour anywhere, all whole wheat. So, whole wheat pizza crust, whole wheat tortillas, whole wheat buns, etc.

And every school has a salad bar that the kids are required to select 2 things off of.

All pop machines are gone.

The lunch program is in the red, but wth, it is beyond healthy. Oh, and it is in the red because the kids won't eat it

Yeah, I wouldn't be eating it either. And I'm 39. LOL.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Seriously? Really glad I decided against moving there when I was considering it a couple years back. I really like the state, but that's obnoxious. I'm in New York and I have no idea what the law is for salaried employees, but non-salaried employees most definitely are required to take a meal break.

I can't remember what the requirements are, and I'm too lazy to look it up. But I am legally entitled to a lunch break every single day. Blessedly... or I'd never survive.

But we're talking about teachers, who are pretty much always salaried employees.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

But we're talking about teachers, who are pretty much always salaried employees.

I'm aware of that. I was responding to the person who posted.

Edited... I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for that to sound snarky.

 

[NHdisneylover]

You should see what BVSD has been doing for the past 2 years - only in crunchy land.

Hot lunches are now ALL organic, including the milk and all food. There is no processed food, all is made from scratch. No white flour anywhere, all whole wheat. So, whole wheat pizza crust, whole wheat tortillas, whole wheat buns, etc.

And every school has a salad bar that the kids are required to select 2 things off of.

All pop machines are gone.

The lunch program is in the red, but wth, it is beyond healthy. Oh, and it is in the red because the kids won't eat it

Sure beats the Dunkin Donuts eclair and Dr Pepper I bought and ate at school for lunch both years I attended Boulder High

My kids go to a crunchy German school. Eating the school provided lunch as a class is mandatory. It is all vegetarian and organic and whole grains as well. Last year they had a great cook and DD loved it and DS (pick eater anywhere) was iffy about it. This year the cook is terrible and thinks adding spices or sauces takes away from nature's tastes so he serves things like pasta or potatoes with no sauce, butter, oil, etc. Even DD, who eats all kinds of things, hardly ever eats. This cook is not returning next year In the meantime all the kids are bringing very large morning snacks and picking up sandwiches from the bakery on their way home

 

[tvguy]

Is that even legal? I thought all workers working a certain time period were entitled to a meal break. Is that just in my state? I was under the impression it was federal law.

As for lunch in the room for kids, I suppose it will save a fair amount of money and yet still qualify the school for federal dollars tied to school lunch programs. I think most states are balancing their budgets with education cuts and this may be the lesser evil of many other possible cuts.

Lunch breaks are state law, not federal. So it varies from state to state. And a union contract can overrule meal breaks laws.
I worked 8 straight for over 25 years without a lunch break, until my current employer discovered under California law we HAVE to take a meal break, and if we don't they have to pay us an hour pay as a penalty. So now I HAVE to work 8 1/2 hours with a 30 minute break...HATE it. My wife works in a union shop, their contract says a meal break can be waved and employees allowed to work 8 straight if they want.

 

[rt2dz]

That's interesting, because I see our Aspie kids and similar kids benefiting more than anyone from lunch in the classroom

Lunchrooms are loud and overstimulating. Yes, some places let kids talk, but then the volume gets so loud that kids with disabilities seem to shut down. Even if they stay engaged, you rely a lot on facial cues to make up for the meaning you lose due to background noise in an environment like that.

In the classroom there are fewer kids, and more space betwen kids usually, and so it's quieter even if all the kids are talking at the same volume. So to me, there's way more opportunities to socialize when the kids eat in their classroom.

Best of all is when they eat lunch at the picnic tables on the playground, but that's not always a realistic option.

One thing *we* battle every day is the assumption that all ASD kids are HYPERsensative. The majority are--~80% according to our therapist. But 20% (including mine) are HYPOsensative. Meaning, they need more action going on to take it.

The thing I'm talking about (and it does vary from school to school) is that when ours have lunch in the classroom, they are in desks, not near other kids in the class necessarily. They can't get up and move. At least in the cafeteria, he can sit by the kids he gets along with (which, granted, can vary slightly day to day depending on the day he is having) and pay attention to them. Sometimes, those aren't the kids in his class.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Sure beats the Dunkin Donuts eclair and Dr Pepper I bought and ate at school for lunch both years I attended Boulder High

I use to have a Kit Kat, Coke and an order of fries for lunch everyday in High School. Then on the way home we'd stop at McDonald's.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

I have not read all 6 pages, but I will tell you that my kids eat in their classrooms every day. The school that they attend is blessed with parents who really want to contribute, so there is a parent in the classroom for lunch daily and the teacher goes to the lounge to eat. They have the option of purchasing a hot lunch monthly and there is a milk option every day. For instance, every Monday is Salsarita's day. So as a parent, you can purchase Monday lunch from Salsarita's for the month and that lunch is delivered to the classrooms via parent volunteers, or they can bring their lunch. This year mine had lunch from home every day, but next year maybe they will want a day or two of hot lunch. I don't mind this at all. With volunteering in the classroom a couple of days a month I really get to know the other kids and interact with them.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

One thing *we* battle every day is the assumption that all ASD kids are HYPERsensative. The majority are--~80% according to our therapist. But 20% (including mine) are HYPOsensative. Meaning, they need more action going on to take it.

The thing I'm talking about (and it does vary from school to school) is that when ours have lunch in the classroom, they are in desks, not near other kids in the class necessarily. They can't get up and move. At least in the cafeteria, he can sit by the kids he gets along with (which, granted, can vary slightly day to day depending on the day he is having) and pay attention to them. Sometimes, those aren't the kids in his class.

Hmmm, I would say that the majority of ASD kids have mixed sensitivities, sensory seeking for some things (often proprioceptive) and hyperreactive to others (often noise or touch). Of course there's variation from child to child. Having said that, that's why I put other examples of other ways that I think classroom lunches are better.

It's very rare, in my experience, for a school to allow kids to sit with other classes for lunch. If your school values those cross class connections, it won't be hard for them to come up with them when they eat in the classroom. In my son's elementary school kids could invite guests from other rooms. They also changed seats for lunch. Sometimes it was randomly generated (e.g. kids draw a card and then sat at their table so they could make new friends) and other times they kids got to pick.

 

[princessmom29]

Seriously? Really glad I decided against moving there when I was considering it a couple years back. I really like the state, but that's obnoxious. I'm in New York and I have no idea what the law is for salaried employees, but non-salaried employees most definitely are required to take a meal break.

I can't remember what the requirements are, and I'm too lazy to look it up. But I am legally entitled to a lunch break every single day. Blessedly... or I'd never survive.

No manditory break in Alabama either. Teachers here eat lunch with the students until they are in 9th grade, and only get 30 min "plannig" time in which they are supposed to be working, not eating or doing personal business ect.

You should see what BVSD has been doing for the past 2 years - only in crunchy land.

Hot lunches are now ALL organic, including the milk and all food. There is no processed food, all is made from scratch. No white flour anywhere, all whole wheat. So, whole wheat pizza crust, whole wheat tortillas, whole wheat buns, etc.

And every school has a salad bar that the kids are required to select 2 things off of.

All pop machines are gone.

The lunch program is in the red, but wth, it is beyond healthy. Oh, and it is in the red because the kids won't eat it

Our lunch porgam can no longer serve white flour or items with sugar listed in the first 4 ingredients statewide. There is no requirement that things be organic however. They buy the cheap whole wheat pasta and rolls that taset like paste, and the kids don't eat them. Heck, I won't eat them either, and we don't buy white bread or pasta at home, only whole wheat

 

[NHdisneylover]

I use to have a Kit Kat, Coke and an order of fries for lunch everyday in High School. Then on the way home we'd stop at McDonald's.

I used to stop at the gas station for a cranberry seltzer and Milky Way Dark on the way home (or before play rehearsals) I did that so much that the owner of the small station would keep a stash for me behind the counter so I would not be out of luck if they ran out (which they often did).

What I don't understand is ow I was i such good shape at that age--man I would love to have HALF that metabolism back now

 

[ameraumi]

While I see this as a way of cutting expenses, I really do not agree with it. And it is still going to cost them money in the long run.

Like a PP said, someone is still going to have to make the sack lunches and serve them. Someone is still going to have to be in charge of purchasing/receiving. And how are they going to know how many lunches to have ready? Will there be an order for each week/day before? So someone will have to take those orders.

Another PP mentioned those on Free/Reduced lunches. While it sounds like in the OP's area there will not be too many, we all know there will be a few in the school in need of it. The USDA is very strict on the components that are served and the amounts (not the actual food, but that all components are there). This means a bread, protein, 2 fruits/veggies (can be 2 of one or 1 of each), and a milk. Hearing what is in this sack lunch it will not meet those requirements. Even if there are no free/reduced kids, if the school is wanting reimbursement from the USDA they will have to meet the requirements.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Another PP mentioned those on Free/Reduced lunches. While it sounds like in the OP's area there will not be too many, we all know there will be a few in the school in need of it. The USDA is very strict on the components that are served and the amounts (not the actual food, but that all components are there). This means a bread, protein, 2 fruits/veggies (can be 2 of one or 1 of each), and a milk. Hearing what is in this sack lunch it will not meet those requirements. Even if there are no free/reduced kids, if the school is wanting reimbursement from the USDA they will have to meet the requirements.

I am not sure why you think these lunches will not meet USDA guidelines:
They will sell a sack lunch with a sandwich bread and protien, fruit1 fruit/veggie, milkthere's the milk and a "savory treat"If this is a fruit/veggie based treat then there is #1

I think figuring out how much to make or taking orders is no more difficult than it is with hot lunches. It take less time to make sack lunches and they can be made in one centralized place with just 1-2 staff members and delivered at any time during the morning to the various schools. I would think it could potentially save a huge amount of $$ in a school district.

 

[aprilgail2]

Received notice today that they are doing away with the cafeterias in all elementary schools in our district starting this fall.

They will sell a sack lunch with a sandwich, fruit, milk and a "savory treat"---no more "hot" lunch, no more cafeteria.

The children will eat these sack lunches in their classrooms with their class at their desk instead of the cafeteria. They will be allowed to schedule a "lunch date" with a child from another class provided they get approval from both teachers.

Am I alone in thinking this is ridiculous!?!

Do they get a choice of this sack lunch? I know in our school there are always 2 or 3 hot lunch options and also 2 cold lunch options and also a salad option. The only type of sandwich my daughter would eat would be plain peanut butter-if they didn't havea choice of sandwich then I would still have to send in cold lunch. Oh wait-- I just read that that get milk with it to-is there an alternate choice if your child doesn't like or can't have milk??

 

[FayeW]

Coming from a country where a cafeteria/lunch room in an elementary school is virtually unheard of (I am sure there are some, but they would definitely be the exception rather than the norm) I have to say I don't understand the American fascination with lunch programs. Bringing a lunch from home and eating at your desk is not a big deal. I would much rather that, and then have time for outside play/socialization than have them spend all their break time lining up/eating/cleaning up.

My kids are in high school now, and they both still pack their lunch most days.

 

[ameraumi]

I am not sure why you think these lunches will not meet USDA guidelines:
They will sell a sack lunch with a sandwich bread and protien, fruit1 fruit/veggie, milkthere's the milk and a "savory treat"If this is a fruit/veggie based treat then there is #1

I think figuring out how much to make or taking orders is no more difficult than it is with hot lunches. It take less time to make sack lunches and they can be made in one centralized place with just 1-2 staff members and delivered at any time during the morning to the various schools. I would think it could potentially save a huge amount of $$ in a school district.

I know for a fact that the fruit/veggie component must be a whole one, not a fruit/veggie based item. I took part in the CACFP program (USDA program for daycares that mimic the school lunch program). It has to have the required amount of fruit/veggie in it and if it does not it will not count. They also limit the times you can have certain items (lunch meat comes to mind). I know there are plenty of other choices for protein but I threw that out as one example. Plus if they still participate in the school lunch program then they will still have to have staff to file paperwork.

I just do not see this as a HUGE cost savings like they think it will be.

 

[shaylyn]

OP here

Even though I'm not as mad as I was at first, I'm still not happy with it at all.

It's not like this is something that has gone on for generations, no cafeteria & sack lunch at your desk.

They gave parents no say or control over this, they just took it away and then told us what they have done.

I am going to talk to the principal and other parents on Monday to see how everyone else is feeling about it. Ironically it's the day Kindergarteners are eating in the lunch room to practice for next year, lol. They didn't cancel it.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I know for a fact that the fruit/veggie component must be a whole one, not a fruit/veggie based item. I took part in the CACFP program (USDA program for daycares that mimic the school lunch program). It has to have the required amount of fruit/veggie in it and if it does not it will not count. They also limit the times you can have certain items (lunch meat comes to mind). I know there are plenty of other choices for protein but I threw that out as one example. Plus if they still participate in the school lunch program then they will still have to have staff to file paperwork.

I just do not see this as a HUGE cost savings like they think it will be.

I found this unusual since when my kids were in school in the US there as virtually never 2 whole fruit/veggie items in the provided lunches (and when I worked at a daycare which received food and funds to feed the children we did not have that either), so I looked it up. I am guessing your district or state has different rules than the federal guidelines as here is what the USDA website has in the FAQ about the National School Lunch Program:

School lunches must meet the applicable recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend that no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories come from fat, and less than 10 percent from saturated fat. Regulations also establish a standard for school lunches to provide one‐third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories. School lunches must meet Federal nutrition requirements, but decisions about what specific foods to serve and how they are prepared are made by local school authorities.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/AboutLunch/NSLPFactSheet.pdf

 

[luvmy3]

While I see this as a way of cutting expenses, I really do not agree with it. And it is still going to cost them money in the long run.

Like a PP said, someone is still going to have to make the sack lunches and serve them. Someone is still going to have to be in charge of purchasing/receiving. And how are they going to know how many lunches to have ready? Will there be an order for each week/day before? So someone will have to take those orders.

Another PP mentioned those on Free/Reduced lunches. While it sounds like in the OP's area there will not be too many, we all know there will be a few in the school in need of it. The USDA is very strict on the components that are served and the amounts (not the actual food, but that all components are there). This means a bread, protein, 2 fruits/veggies (can be 2 of one or 1 of each), and a milk. Hearing what is in this sack lunch it will not meet those requirements. Even if there are no free/reduced kids, if the school is wanting reimbursement from the USDA they will have to meet the requirements.

I'm sure the school will still follow the requirements, all they have to do is throw some lettuce on a sandwich and serve another fruit (or fruit juice) or veggie with it.
Also, if its a distrcit wide change then it would save money in the long run.

NH, my kids are served only 1 veggie/fruit component on some days.

 

[bicker]

Actually, it would be more efficient to clean one cafeteria-set up to handle food spills then it would be to clean however many classrooms with food spills.

That isn't true. The cafeteria would need to be cleaned by extra staff, while classrooms are going to be cleaned anyway, and extraordinary messes would be cleaned by the teachers and students, to some extent. With a frugal perspective, this approach saves more money.