OT - Vent - Teacher's Version of School Wellness Policy

[3boymthr]

Well, slightly on topic as I get to at the end...

My younger two children started school yesterday. Both children brought home the same packet of papers with piles and piles of forms for me to sign and return. All the usual stuff medical forms, emergency contact forms, school handbook, free lunch forms, etc. The usual back to school homework for Mom.

However; in the packet of papers that the older child brought home to be completed and filled out was a slightly modified version of the school wellness policy which is usually in the school handbook. It was modified by the teacher to be specific to her class. I'm having trouble coming up with a precise description of the policy she sent home without spelling out the whole page of language but basically it boiled down into a contract the teacher wanted me and DS to sign stating I wouldn't send/he wouldn't bring any snacks or lunches to school that weren't healthy and nutritious (it defined these as things like fruits and veggies). Don't get me wrong, I'm all for healthy eating but boy did it make me mad. What right does she have to tell me what to send to school with my DS to eat - especially for a snack? And to make it a contract so my child will feel guilty if I send something else? For that matter her definition of healthy and nutritious may be completely different from mine (I'm good with flavored yougurt as a healthy snack but I know some think it's junk as it's got sugar in it). Plus, (here's the budget part) I'd be wasting my money sending in fruits and veggies as my child won't eat fruits and veggies without direct supervision and you know she's not going to make him eat those fruits and veggies and they'd be coming home inedible from being banged around in his lunch box or going in the trash because he took one bite and decided he was done.

I've decided I'm not signing her contract because I don't feel like getting called on the carpet because I send my kid with a muffin or crackers or heaven forbid, a cookie. I feel like she is being more than just a little to intrusive into how I raise my family. I know this went out to everyone in the class but still

I can't complain about these things to DH as he just shrugs it all off so thank you for reading - I feel better now.

 

[luvmy3]

I don't have a problem with a teacher requesting healthy snacks over non healthy snacks but until the school itself offers ONLY healthy lunches to my kids then nobody there has the right to demand me to send in only healthy snacks and lunches for my kids

 

[Tiger926]

Well as a teacher, I can tell you that the junk that kids are bringing in from home is getting to be problematic. Now, as a highschool teacher, I can't really control this, but my elementary teacher friends are struggling big time: pop, candy and gum are sent in as snacks. Ummm....none of that is food, first of all.

Your snacks sound just fine, it's the candy, pop and chocolate bars that schools are needing to get away from, for many reasons:

1. Sugar crashes/hyperactivity - try teaching a room full of kids all with varying degrees of intellect, as well as special needs kids. Then throw in a bunch of kids who have had nothing to eat all morning, except Fruit Loops and a chocolate bar. It is not pretty. Kids need protein in order to fuel their brains, and when they don't get that, they crash. They become unmotivated and tired, so good snacks are essential for them to stay alert and focused the whole day.

2. Messes - Some of my friends have to deal with classroom messes as parents send in ridiculously high maintenance or messy snacks that are full of sugar.

These are the two main reasons my friends are having with the snack issue. But, we are in a different position here as in my Canadian city, no elementary schools provide lunches. And, starting next year, the government will be banning all sugar/processed foods be sold or given out in schools. No more hot dog or pizza days, no more school stores or vending machines that sell pop and candy. Our schools don't really provide this stuff, so it's easier to work good and healty snacks into the school day. Many schools have already started to enforce healthy snacks and breakfast programs for years already around here. Highschools are the bigger issue, so cafeterias have been busy working on this all year, and will continue to do so as our government has passed it as law.

I would ask for more clarification from this teacher on her policy, and if you don't like the answer, get more clarification from the principal. We aren't really allowed to do private contracts like this around here, but perhaps she got principal permission? In which case, the principal's signature should be on there as well. I wouldn't sign it right away though, until I got further clarficiation, and that is coming from a teacher!

I understand that you might feel it is intrusive, but since some parents have no idea about what snacks actually help their kids get through a busy school day, schools have no choice but to make new rules surrounding snack periods. So, I would do a bit of research and see exactly what this entails.

Hopefully you get some answers that are acceptable to you, and that you are able to work with this teacher on making her classroom function more smoothly, but ultimately, it is to help your child, and the other children have a successful day in school. Pop and chocolate bars does not equate to a good day, trust me on that!

Tiger

 

[3boymthr]

I don't have a problem with a teacher requesting healthy snacks over non healthy snacks but until the school itself offers ONLY healthy lunches to my kids then nobody there has the right to demand me to send in only healthy snacks for my kids

Yeah, the lunches they serve aren't exactly healthy - and my DS buys lunch every day - usually he skips the main lunch gets the alternate which is either a hotdog or pizza - so there was that irony as well.

And truly, I don't have a problem with the requesting healthy snacks, but to make it what is essentially a contract - that's what I have a problem with.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I'd send her a note letting her know you will abide by the school's policy.

 

[Ava]

I would not sign that either. I'd either contact the teacher to discuss your objections, or write a note & attach it to the unsigned contract to send back with the rest of his forms.

 

[dhdozier]

Wow! I am a teacher and mother of 2 and have found out in my journey that everyone has their own style of raising kids which doesn't make one way better than another. I find this contract to be very overbearing and I hope her teaching style doesn't reflect this type of attitude. Spelling out in fine print what you expect behavior wise is one thing, specifying the menu that kids can bring is ridiculous. And she better be careful with her wording because I can see just the right parent challenging her to provide these things for their child since she makes it a "contract" that other items are not acceptable. Hope you have a good school year despite this bump in the road.

 

[rileyroosmom]

I went through something similar when my son was in first grade. For every healthy snack he brought in, he got a sticker. After so many stickers there was a prize. I resented this. IMO - the teacher is there to teach, not monitor food. I understand there is an obesity problem in this country, my child is not one of them. I believe if we make "junky snacks" off limits, this only increases the desire to want it more and thereby over eating when given the opportunity. Finally, when I cook meals, my child eats healthy, if I want to give him some chips for a snack, my choice.

My son is now 17 yrs old, 6' 1", 185 pounds - and healthy! Those chips for snack didn't harm him. I have 2 other kids and through the years I've heard of plenty of wellness policies - I've ignored them all and send in what I want to. (In fairness, I don't send candy, juice or other sugary treats.) I have always sent chips, pretzels, goldfish, chex mix, cookies, cheez its. That type of snack is not going to kill them, IMO

 

[3boymthr]

Well as a teacher, I can tell you that the junk that kids are bringing in from home is getting to be problematic. Now, as a highschool teacher, I can't really control this, but my elementary teacher friends are struggling big time: pop, candy and gum are sent in as snacks. Ummm....none of that is food, first of all.

Your snacks sound just fine, it's the candy, pop and chocolate bars that schools are needing to get away from, for many reasons:

1. Sugar crashes/hyperactivity - try teaching a room full of kids all with varying degrees of intellect, as well as special needs kids. Then throw in a bunch of kids who have had nothing to eat all morning, except Fruit Loops and a chocolate bar. It is not pretty. Kids need protein in order to fuel their brains, and when they don't get that, they crash. They become unmotivated and tired, so good snacks are essential for them to stay alert and focused the whole day.

2. Messes - Some of my friends have to deal with classroom messes as parents send in ridiculously high maintenance or messy snacks that are full of sugar.

These are the two main reasons my friends are having with the snack issue.

I would ask for more clarification from this teacher on her policy, and if you don't like the answer, get more clarification from the principal. I understand that you might feel it is intrusive, but since some parents have no idea about what snacks actually help their kids get through a busy school day, schools have no choice but to make new rules surrounding snack periods.

Hopefully you get some answers that are acceptable to you, and that you are able to work with this teacher on making her classroom function more smoothly, but ultimately, it is to help your child, and the other children have a successful day in school. Pop and chocolate bars does not equate to a good day, trust me on that!

Tiger

Oh, I'm not sending in pop or candy (well, the day after halloween I might include a small piece with his other snack). For my kids most days they get water (sometimes with a propel or crystal light packet) with the occaisional juice box or sometimes chocolate milk or a yoohoo. And I try to send things like pudding, jello, crackers, yogurt, mini-muffins, possibly a pop-tart, etc.

And I totally respect and try to adhere to the whole healthy snack policy that the school has and publicizes as a whole which is included in the school handbook. I think that's one of the reasons the whole classroom specific wellness "contract" thing rubs me wrong.

 

[luvmy3]

Yeah, the lunches they serve aren't exactly healthy - and my DS buys lunch every day - usually he skips the main lunch gets the alternate which is either a hotdog or pizza - so there was that irony as well.

And truly, I don't have a problem with the requesting healthy snacks, but to make it what is essentially a contract - that's what I have a problem with.

Thats what I would have a problem with too. I make sure that my kids have healthy snacks and lunches because thats what I would do normally, it has nothing to do with the fact that it is requested. If they expected me to sign a contract then I would expect them to do the same, and if they weren't providing only healthy options I wouldn't sign it out of principle.


I also wouldn't have a problem with a teacher instiututing a rule for her classroom like "no candy, soda, etc" but I would have a problem having to sign a "contract" even though its essentially the same. It still about the do as I say not as I do mentality that I have a problem with.

 

[Tiger926]

I went through something similar when my son was in first grade. For every healthy snack he brought in, he got a sticker. After so many stickers there was a prize. I resented this. IMO - the teacher is there to teach, not monitor food. I understand there is an obesity problem in this country, my child is not one of them. I believe if we make "junky snacks" off limits, this only increases the desire to want it more and thereby over eating when given the opportunity. Finally, when I cook meals, my child eats healthy, if I want to give him some chips for a snack, my choice.

My son is now 17 yrs old, 6' 1", 185 pounds - and healthy! Those chips for snack didn't harm him. I have 2 other kids and through the years I've heard of plenty of wellness policies - I've ignored them all and send in what I want to. (In fairness, I don't send candy, juice or other sugary treats.) I have always sent chips, pretzels, goldfish, chex mix, cookies, cheez its. That type of snack is not going to kill them, IMO

I will disagree here...my kids don't eat candy, and never ask for it. They know we don't eat it. It's not in the house, so they don't ask for it. I also don't expect them to go nuts one day on candy...that doesn't make any sense to me. It was like this for me growing up as well, and I can't stand candy, nor pop. I have never had any desire to eat candy, nor pop, depsite the fact that they were not allowed. We have taught our kids about portion control and self limiting, and they don't overindulge on anything - we don't either, so they see good role models in front of them, who eat healthy as well. I would hope that the OP's teacher isn't bringing candy and pop to school for snack, as that would be a bad thing indeed!

I totally get what you are saying, but kids really don't need candy at school. Not to mention the nasty stuff it does to teeth. You wouldn't believe what some parents send for their kids under the label of snacks!

Tiger

 

[Tiger926]

Oh, I'm not sending in pop or candy (well, the day after halloween I might include a small piece with his other snack). For my kids most days they get water (sometimes with a propel or crystal light packet) with the occaisional juice box or sometimes chocolate milk or a yoohoo. And I try to send things like pudding, jello, crackers, yogurt, mini-muffins, possibly a pop-tart, etc.

And I totally respect and try to adhere to the whole healthy snack policy that the school has and publicizes as a whole which is included in the school handbook. I think that's one of the reasons the whole classroom specific wellness "contract" thing rubs me wrong.

Yup, as I mentioned, your snacks sound good. But, for every 1 of you, there are 5 other parents who are sending in candy and pop as daily snacks for their kids.

Like I said, you should really find out more about this particular classroom policy. Not sure if teacher has permission for this or not? That would be my first step in the process.

Good luck and happy school year to you and your children, Tiger

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I would never sign a contract like that and would most likely send off a copy to the superintendent and school board.

My kids are both at or under their weights for their height. Both are extremely active. They eat tons of fruit and veggies in their day and also have a juice box, cookies, chips, granola bars with *gasp* chocolate, poptarts, and more at times during snack or even with their lunch. They are healthier than the majority of kids in their schools and friend cirlces.

And I am sorry not all healthy snacks are healthy. For example salted almonds contain way too much sodium for your diet and most kids do not know that a serving size is very small. Just a little handful. They eat bags of them.

OP sorry you have to deal with this. I am counting my lucky stars that DD is off to college this year and DS (sophmore) is comfortable in his no contract school.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I think that goes way beyond the bounds of school/parent relationships and I would not sign it. It's great if schools want to promote healthy eating and serve healthier foods than they have in the past. And there is no question that there are a lot of children with weight issues walking around out there. But in the end it should be my choice what I pack in my child's lunch box.

My kids' won't touch school cafeteria food, so I have to pack their lunches every day. I pack things that I know they will eat (otherwise it will get returned at the end of the day or thrown away at school). I try to keep it balanced with a protein, milk product, fruit/veggie, and whole grain source. However, I also include a couple of homemade chocolate chip cookies that their nana makes for them every week. (I have two children that are well below average on the weight charts and one that is average, so I think what I have been feeding them works for my family).

 

[Pigeon]

I never sign anything the public school tries to pass off as a "contract." I send them a letter telling them why I won't sign it. I've been doing this for years with no ill effects.

First of all, it's not a contract. The school is obligated by law to provide my child a free and appropriate education. There is no exchange of value.

It is coercive to try to get children to sign.

Children cannot sign contracts.

I don't think contracts are appropriate subject matter for elementary school children, but if they are going to introduce the concept, they should do so correctly. The whole "we're going to make you sign this document that says you'll do what we tell you" is not the basis of a contract and I don't want my kid learning that it is.

You are entirely correct in that the teacher is overstepping. You are the parent and you decide what is an appropriate snack. I can understand the teacher not wanting messy items, but beyond that, it's not the teacher's call. It is one more effort on the part of the school to intrude on the family.

 

[ccgirl]

My DD7 started 2nd grade yesterday. I sent in a chocolate chip fiber one granola bar for morning snack. My DD told me when I got home that the teacher told her she couldn't have that for morning snack anymore because there was chocolate in it. She could have it with her lunch just not morning snack. I said, "no problem, thanks for telling me." I really didn't see a problem with it. I can send in apples with peanut butter or veggies with dressing. I really didn't see it as a big deal. My dd knows, eat healthy or go hungry. Your choice. Amazingly, she eats it. I guess I am just very careful where I pick my battles.

They also sent home a copy of the school handbook we were requested to sign. As part of that, it stated that teachers could come up with their own classroom rules.

I'm kind of a rule stickler and as long as the rules are consistent I do not have a problem with it.

 

[nchulka]

WOW! I am shocked by this! I would throw the paper in the trash. I have a real problem with someone who does not have the authority trying to tell me what to do. The teacher should absolutely not be in charge of what kids eat. Having said that I am the parent who sends grapes and apples. I don't even buy chips or soda or snack cake type things or even goldfish and animal crackers. I believe very strongly in eating good healthy food. I sent both of my kids this morning with raw mushrooms, yesterday they had cantaloupe. I believe in eating healthy of my own free will, it's no one's business to tell me to do it!

 

[Ava]

This is kind of OT, but I never remember having snacks in the classroom in grade school, unless it was someone's birthday & their parent sent in a treat for the class. Is morning snack in grade schools a new thing? As far as I can remember, we ate at lunch & that was it.

 

[wbn36]

I don't have a problem with a teacher requesting healthy snacks over non healthy snacks but until the school itself offers ONLY healthy lunches to my kids then nobody there has the right to demand me to send in only healthy snacks and lunches for my kids

I hear ya on this one. Our lunch for tne next 2 weeks consists of Nachos, Mac and Cheese with a breadstick (like I would ever serve the 2 together) and brunch for lunch. Totally poor.

 

[Purseval]

Make sure you don't let the kid bring in a Donald Duck letter opener, they'll have the police handcuff him, expel him and put him in a school for violent offenders.