Opinions on this school lunch matter

[castleview]

My DD is in first grade. Just last week she told me how a classmate's mom brought him McDonald's for lunch because it was his birthday. Ok, fine - didn't know that was allowed. I've known that parents are allowed to go in and eat lunch with their kids - not something I do, but it seems like a nice idea especially if kids are going through some tough times. But ever since she told me that, I've learned that some parents bring their kids a Happy Meal at least once a week. Our school does serve hot lunch, fyi.

Well today was the kicker. I was helping out at the book fair and as I was leaving I see another mother (who I'm very friendly with) bringing in a pizza. We chit chatted and she said she was bringing a pizza to her daughter and some of her friends. That's seems so...encouraging a clique to me. Plus, I looked at the lunch menu when I got home and the cafeteria was serving pizza today!

I love DD's school, but I'm sort of stunned that people do this. Yes, I buy McDonald's and I could bring in a Happy Meal for my DD once in a while. But it just doesn't seem right to me. Any other thoughts?

 

[Aimeedyan]

This was allowed at my school when I was in 1st grade over 20 years ago. It was always fun when a friend's parent brought me something special or when my parent brought us something special.

Matter of fact, it's so common here that I do it regularly for work now. Going to meet a kid for lunch and picking up their favorite fast food meal on my way.

I never really thought about it, really, I guess since it's so common here? Perhaps I should duck and cover now LOL

 

[Ariel Mae]

I know they didn't allow it in the high school I went to, but it surely didn't stop people from having their moms bring them food via the back entrances. Sure beats cafeteria food! I see no problem with it. *shrugs*

 

[diznygirl]

Happens a lot here. I guess we are all going straight to hell.

 

[castleview]

I know they didn't allow it in the high school I went to, but it surely didn't stop people from having their moms bring them food via the back entrances. Sure beats cafeteria food! I see no problem with it. *shrugs*

For some odd reason, it doesn't bother me that this would happen in a high school. But in an elementary school, it just doesn't seem necessary.

 

[cybrkitn]

I can see once in awhile, but not weekly. DS4 will bring in McDonalds for breakfast during Before Care at school every once in awhile, especially when I need to go shopping and there is nothing in the house for breakfast.

DS4 goes to Pre-school at our church. I brought in brownies one day for his class on his Baptismal Birthday - the date that he was baptized on. I'd love to do this for his birthday, but that falls on June 22 and school ends on the 19th. Since he will be back in Daycare for the summer, I'll do it then.

 

[Karel]

when I was working as a lunch aide, it started becoming a big deal. We don't have a cafeteria and everyone packed lunch everday.

For us lunch workers, it was becoming a real headache. We had kids standing at the front door waiting for mom . We had several moms form a 'run for lunch' co - op and go and buy lunch for a group of four or five kids. We even had one kids take someone else's lunch.

You kind of felt bad for kids whose parents had to work every day and could not run and get them something every week.

It was a special treat a few years back when my son was in elementary school but then it started to be an every week thing. I think that is too much.

 

[momto2girls]

I think it is nice. Elementary school kids have so many extra pressures these days. I think this is a nice treat for them.

 

[Buckalew11]

I've never done that either and moms do it at our school also. I am not sure how often. We do not a regular cafeteria but have assigned foods (pizza, Chickfila, Subway, etc. on certain days of the week)

I agree with your thoughts on the clique thing. It must feel awful not to be asked to have Pizza Hut with "Jane" and her 3 closest friends that day.
If I was taking pizza, I would do it for the class, but then again, DD's school is very small so things like the clique thing would get noticed and also I could afford to feed the entire class pizza one day.

 

[castleview]

I think it is nice. Elementary school kids have so many extra pressures these days. I think this is a nice treat for them.

I understand that it would be nice for DD. Yet for all I know the kid sitting next to her is on free lunch and/or his parents are working. I'm afraid seeing my daughter eat a Happy Meal would be an extra pressure on him.

 

[lemondog]

I don't like the idea of parents being allowed to bring in fast food/pizza to their kids at school. My DD is in kindergarten, and parents are allowed to eat with their children as often as we like. However, no fast food is allowed, nor are sodas. That goes for moms and dads too. I always just buy lunch there, or bring a sack lunch and bottle of water when I eat with DD. Personally, I think a visit from mom or dad is treat enough, without needing McDonald's, pizza, etc. too. JMHO.

 

[hentob]

I couldn't imagine bringing in a pizza for a few select children That seems mean. I could see bringing in lunch for your own child, but for a parent to encourage the "You are my friend today, you get pizza from my mom"

I dunno. I think allowing a parent to feed children that are NOT their own is opening the school up for a lawsuit or something. "Our religion doesn't allow Susie to eat meat. What! You gave him Pizza Hut!?!? Our family is boycotting them!" and so forth.

And, again, it seems cruel to the other children.

This wouldn't fly in our school.

 

[MzDiz]

That seriously can't be healthy. Then again, neither can the cafeteria food. I pack my daughter's lunch. I can't imagine bringing her fast food at school, for many reasons. Too much of a distraction, kids all jacked up on chemical laced chicken nuggets, so-and-so's parents love them more because they got McBurgerSwill, etc. Nu-uh.
I never saw it done when I was in school and none of my kids have mentioned it happening. So it must not be common here.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I couldn't imagine bringing in a pizza for a few select children That seems mean. I could see bringing in lunch for your own child, but for a parent to encourage the "You are my friend today, you get pizza from my mom"

And, again, it seems cruel to the other children.

I agree.

 

[castleview]

I dunno. I think allowing a parent to feed children that are NOT their own is opening the school up for a lawsuit or something.

.

Wow. I didn't even think of that.

 

[kathie859]

My kids are out of the nest so this isn't a personal issue for me; however, I really have to sympathize with the kids whose parents can't (for whatever reason) drop off a special lunch and for those kids who have been excluded from the group lunch run or pizza sharing. Under the guise of "it's something harmless we can allow" it seems like one more thing to add stress to a whole bunch of people---the kids (will Mom show/will I be the only one not having McDonalds) the parents (can I get this order straight/do I have enough time to get there) and school employees (how to supervise this entire food pass-off/ how to arbitrate hurt feelings).

 

[autumnbaby9]

I understand that it would be nice for DD. Yet for all I know the kid sitting next to her is on free lunch and/or his parents are working. I'm afraid seeing my daughter eat a Happy Meal would be an extra pressure on him.

I might get flames for this (and go ahead if you want ) but I'm more worried about being told I can't bring a treat for DD because it might upset some other child. Children need to learn that life is not always fair or they are going to have some major problem when they leave school.

If I want to bring DD a happy meal I should be able to. If DD wants to invite her best friend to her birthday party I shouldn't have to invite 21 other student as well. I'm not going to make DD do without because I can't provide for the whole school and the other student's parents may not be able to provide it for them.

While we shouldn't go out of our way to hurt others feelings we shouldn't have to contantly be asking ourselves "can the other student's parents buy the same stuff?"

 

[tiggger1]

the only time that our schools allow it, is when your child is student of the month. they have a special presentation right before luch and then you are allowed to have lunch with your child...if the parent cannot be there then they can have lunch with their teacher or the principal if they like...


also the parent must be cori checked or you are not allowed to particapate in any of the schools fieldtrips, classroom volenteers or any classroom parties...that way there all the parents in the building are considered "safe"

 

[solgent]

I don't think it's right in an elementary school. It is not healthy. It exaggerates financial and social differences between children rather than fostering community. I've never heard of this so I don't think it's permitted or common here. I would be very unhappy if it were happening. I think that by allowing these things into the school, the school is tacitly endorsing them, and that is not the message I want for my kids. These companies already spend millions marketing to children. I don't want the school helping them!

 

[castleview]

I might get flames for this (and go ahead if you want ) but I'm more worried about being told I can't bring a treat for DD because it might upset some other child. Children need to learn that life is not always fair or they are going to have some major problem when they leave school.

If I want to bring DD a happy meal I should be able to. If DD wants to invite her best friend to her birthday party I shouldn't have to invite 21 other student as well. I'm not going to make DD do without because I can't provide for the whole school and the other student's parents may not be able to provide it for them.

While we shouldn't go out of our way to hurt others feelings we shouldn't have to contantly be asking ourselves "can the other student's parents buy the same stuff?"

Not flaming you. But I guess I still have the words "have you brought enough for everyone?" going through my head. Flashback!