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

[Katy Belle]

One of my kids' 3rd grade teachers sent home a note about "only healthy food" in her classroom at snack time. No contract though, that would have bugged me too. My ds always took his lunch to school. He would eat 1/2 his sandwich in her room for snack and save his cookie for the cafeteria. She thought he was the healthiest eater

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We have always had "healthy" snacks only. It doesn't bother me cause that is what I'd send in anyway, but then again I guess people might not think what we give is healthy. Most days it is a piece of fruit or veggies, but on the days I need to get to the store, we have fruit cups (in juice, not syrup, never buy those) or fruit leather (the fruit ones,) or nutrigrain bars. But to say we will always have fruits and veggies on hand is not realistic. I mean we do most days, but some days I go to the store as soon as the kids go to school. Having said that we hae never gotten the call that our snacks were not OK.

As for no snack, no I didn't have it as a kid, but we had lunch at a normal time. My then 5th grader last year had lunch at 10am (thye had an afternoon snack) and my then 2nd grader had it at 1pm they had morning snack.) That is a very long day when they leave at 8:15 and get home at 4:15. So for them to go so long without a little something they start to think about how hungry they are and not their school work I'd rather see a 5 minute break (which is all they are allowed) then be hungry all day.

 

[mherb]

I teach a first and second grade combined class. I allow a light afternoon snack as an energy boost. I ask that parents don't send in junk food. The kids usually bring in pretzels, cheerios, yogurt, fruit, string cheese, graham crackers, goldfish crackers etc. I have very rarely had a parent send in anything junky. Our school district strong recommends healthy items due to wellness and various food allergies. I also have two diabetics in my class. It would be tough to explain to them why kids can eat candy in the classroom but they can't.
I am amazed at how selfish some people can be. I had a parent want to pull her child from my room when she found out we were a peanut free classroom. She was "horrified" she would not be allowed to occasionally send a peanut butter snack with her daughter. Nevermind that the other little girl could die if she came in contact with nuts

ETA: I honestly don't understand the need for a contract. While I am a big advocate of making good food choice, I would not make parents or students sign something like that.

 

[Belle5]

I just wanted to say that I think snacks are a terrific idea during the school day. When I was in elementary school, I would have such a difficult time focusing on school beginning around 10:30 am and continuing until lunchtime. I vividly remember shaking life a leaf all the time (I am suspecting some kind of drop in blood sugar...not sure) between 10:30 am until I would get my lunch. I remember my stomach just roaring all the time during the hour or so before our mid-day meal. The sensations I had seemed to consume my attention--I couldn't stop thinking of how weak I felt or how hungry I was. A mandated snack-time would really have helped me so much. Any snack at all would have helped me--healthy or otherwise.

All this to say, I can understand why there would be a necessity for snack-time!

I am sure the intentions of the teacher are good...but, wow, has she overstepped her boundaries!

 

[descovy]

our school does snack too... lunches span from 10:20 am to 1:40 pm... so they either snack in the morning or afternoon to make up for an odd lunch hour.

It's healthy snacks only too... and a peanut free school. As well, the teacher requests nothing messy or requiring a spoon (often eating on the fly)

My girls bring fresh fruit, nutrigrain bars, sun chips, fruit leather, cereal, granola bars, raisins, cheesy crackers, popcorn, string cheese. All that is considered healthy. They are in grade 1, 3, 5 and I keep a snack bucket within reach in the pantry. Whatever I buy (on sale) I add to the bucket. THEY pick their daily snack. We also keep a fruit bowl stocked on the counter. House rule is that I buy fruit at $1.00/lb or less... so we're always eating something seasonal.

My kids are good about self regulating. One day I had Kudos bars in the pantry box. One girl took them to school and was told "not allowed" so she stoppped packing it for snack herself. Good at self regulating... No tears or hissy fits. They just choose a more proper snack. And I don't have to fight battles with their teachers on their behalf

They also pack their own lunches. They follow my rule... one "protein" (lunchmeat, tuna, or almond butter sandwich or hard boiled egg) and only one "treat" (cookies, kudos bar, pudding,or potato chips, etc...) they can fill out the rest of their lunch as they see fit. (fruit cup, string cheese, carrots, whatever they find... )

I guess I'm pretty lucky to have such responsible girls. I've brought them up this way, though. And I know if they make the choices (within my "guidelines") they will eat what they pack.

So I guess I don't see this a battle worth fighting with the teacher. Just pack a healthy snack and be done with it. Let kiddo pick it out from healthy options.

BTW... as my kids get into 3-5th grade +, "contracts" (for grades, homework, attendance, etc...) are becoming more frequent. I see it as a way to get students to take on more personal responsibility. (and I see that as a good thing! )My kids and I sign contracts that agree to signing conduct cards, how to handle missed assignments, etc... all the time. Legally binding? No. But it says, "yes! We are on the same page. We understand the expectations in your class." I have yet to find one I find so objectionable that I refuse to sign or want to go toe to toe with the teacher. That's just me though....

 

[blanq]

I have not read anything but the first page of this thread, so have no clue where people are falling on this topic.

If this situation happened to me, I would not consider it my issue to take on. I would sit my child down and explain what the teacher is requesting. I would ask him how he feels about that and I would ask him if he wanted to make a commitment to do what the teacher is asking. I would remind him of the importance of eating a healthy and balanced diet regardless of what his feelings are. If he believes in it and wants to sign a contract about it, I would support him by signing it as well. I would then support his decisoin by asking him, when I make my shopping list, what healthy snacks he would like to try that week for his snack period. If my son did not want to make a commitment via a "contract" I would hear him out about his reasons why and I likely would not require him to sign it and would send it back to the teacher unsigned and with a note. We have a good balance of some treats that are less than healthy and healthy options in our household, and I would likely continue with a philosphy of balanced eating with a treat once in awhile.

I am guessing that the purpose of this is to get kids,when they are younger and before they commit to a lifetime of unhealthy eating, to understand the importance of healthy eating and taking good care of their precious bodies with exercise, good sleep, etc. With the rising cost of health care related to obesity related illnesses, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc and the known impacts that unhealthy choices can have on our lives, I think that starting the message young, both at home and in school is key. I think introducing kids to the concept of a contract is not a bad thing either...they will have a lifetime of needing to sign them in their future anyway.

I totally get the irony of a school making this request of kids and then opting to serve unhealthy lunches...it's a good way to give kids whiplash.

 

[ajh88]

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.

I agree with the idea that pop, candy, and gum are not appropriate snacks - and perhaps the teacher would have been better off to state that these specific items are not allowed as snacks rather than dictating what IS allowed. My DD's 2nd grade teacher was big on "healthy" snacks, which I didn't have a problem with, but she didn't make it a huge issue (like a contract).

As much as it seems to be common sense, there really are people who just don't get it...or there are kids whose parents don't care/aren't there/don't know (aren't involved, or whatever) and the kid grabs what they want for a snack, or they grab whatever is in the house.

I don't think I would sign the contract either and I'd probably email or call the teacher to clarify exactly what the intention is.

 

[design_mom]

Our school also requests "healthy" snacks -- fruit, veggies, cheese, granola bars, crackers, etc. No candy, soda, potato chips, cookies, etc. I don't really have a problem with that.

Perhaps "contract" was a bad word for the teacher to use. However, my kids have been asked to sign things at school and in sports. DD is in 1st grade and we just signed something (both of us) that said we understand the classroom rules. DD and her classmates helped come up with the rules and we discussed that signing the form meant that she was making a promise to do her best to follow the rules. I don't really have a problem with that.

DS is in 4th grade. He had to sign a "computer use policy" at school, and he signs one for his hockey league saying that he will play fair, won't berate other players/coaches/refs, etc.

At some point, I do think it's good for kids to "buy in" to the rules. If you disagree with the rules, I suppose that would be different.

 

[annsteere]

I can hardly believe this thread is on page 5 and I'm the first bad mother to chime in.

Yes, I occasionally sent candy with my kids. Neither of them were over responders to sugar. And, generally, they ate their sweet stuff at lunch time.

We also eat a home cooked meal for dinner about 5 out of 7 nights per week and my definition of a real meal is carbohydrate, protein, veggies followed by dessert. And dessert preferably means "item-with-chocolate."

DS graduated from the honors program at the University with a perfect 4.0 so apparently his academic progress was not horribly marred.

 

[Aurora D]

As a second grade teacher I ask my parents to send in "healthy" snacks. I provide a suggested list including yogurt, sugar free pudding, crackers, fruit, veggies, cheese, pretzels,etc. I ask that sugar not be listed as one of the first 3 ingredients. I also request beverages be 100% juice, water or milk. Last year I had a child whose mother went to great lengths to allow her son to bring Hi-C. She called the nurse and principal before discussing it with me. This year I've decided to not allow beverages. We have a water fountain in our room. The juice boxes are full of sugar and create a sticky mess when the kids squeeze them.
In addition, I believe if you tell your child it's ok to disregard a teacher's request you are kind of saying your child doesn't have to follow the rules. In second grade, unless a rule is dangerous or harmful, all rules should be followed. This attitude helps explain the entitles attitude many kids grow up with.

 

[3boymthr]

Wow! What a lot of responses. I left the computer and came back to 5 pages DS is in 5th grade. There is one school in town for the whole elementary grades Pre-k to 6 (@1,350 students) then the kids transition to Jr. HS at 7th. At our school snack is every grade - PreK thru 6th. My child is definitely on the skinny side (he weighs just 60 lbs - and altough he eats like a horse every bone in his body shows) so I'll probably keep sending in that snack even in 6th.

I'm definitely not signing the contract. I'm not sending in a note either. I signed a note that i received the contract and all the other papers. I'm going to return the papers the school sent home, including the school handbook - which has their version of the wellness policy in it and just leave it at that and see what happens.

This teacher is definitely into contracts - tonight we got a "behavior contract". Again, not happy, and again, not going to sign it. It's mostly the basic stuff like walking in the halls and not talking in class. But seriously a "contract"?!??

 

[Mouse House Mama]

As a second grade teacher I ask my parents to send in "healthy" snacks. I provide a suggested list including yogurt, sugar free pudding, crackers, fruit, veggies, cheese, pretzels,etc. I ask that sugar not be listed as one of the first 3 ingredients. I also request beverages be 100% juice, water or milk. Last year I had a child whose mother went to great lengths to allow her son to bring Hi-C. She called the nurse and principal before discussing it with me. This year I've decided to not allow beverages. We have a water fountain in our room. The juice boxes are full of sugar and create a sticky mess when the kids squeeze them.
In addition, I believe if you tell your child it's ok to disregard a teacher's request you are kind of saying your child doesn't have to follow the rules. In second grade, unless a rule is dangerous or harmful, all rules should be followed. This attitude helps explain the entitles attitude many kids grow up with.

Sugar free pudding is not a healthy snack. The fake sweeteners are not good for children (or adults). Also- nutri grain bars have hfcs in them so not so healthy there either. (others have mentioned them)
Sorry but it is none of the teacher's business what I send in for my kids to eat. Sugar does not make kids hyper. That is a myth. While I will agree that proteins are better I don't think that a child is going to go bonkers from eating some chips or fruit snacks. I also don't agree with a no beverage rule. So the kids can eat but can't have a drink? I don't know any adult that eats like that. The water fountain is not a suffient replacement imo. If you (a general you) don't want anything but water in your classroom because of the sticky mess then I would say that makes sense and have no issue there. Banning drinks imo is cruel.
I am a rule follower and teach my kids to follow rules but there is no way I would sign any contract telling me what my kids can eat or not eat. I would throw it away.

 

[Pigeon]

In addition, I believe if you tell your child it's ok to disregard a teacher's request you are kind of saying your child doesn't have to follow the rules. In second grade, unless a rule is dangerous or harmful, all rules should be followed. This attitude helps explain the entitles attitude many kids grow up with Unless otherwise stated, most assignments are due at the start of class the day after they were assigned.

No, it's saying to the teacher, mind your own business and keep your nose out of my family's decisions, where it most assuredly does not belong.

 

[Pigeon]

Sugar does not make kids hyper. That is a myth.

You are absolutely correct. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52516

Nobody is saying sugary snacks are desirable, but there simply is not the connection with bad behavior that many people would claim.

 

[badblackpug]

Sugar free pudding is not a healthy snack. The fake sweeteners are not good for children (or adults). Also- nutri grain bars have hfcs in them so not so healthy there either. (others have mentioned them)
Sorry but it is none of the teacher's business what I send in for my kids to eat. Sugar does not make kids hyper. That is a myth. While I will agree that proteins are better I don't think that a child is going to go bonkers from eating some chips or fruit snacks. I also don't agree with a no beverage rule. So the kids can eat but can't have a drink? I don't know any adult that eats like that. The water fountain is not a suffient replacement imo. If you (a general you) don't want anything but water in your classroom because of the sticky mess then I would say that makes sense and have no issue there. Banning drinks imo is cruel.
I am a rule follower and teach my kids to follow rules but there is no way I would sign any contract telling me what my kids can eat or not eat. I would throw it away.

Thank you! I have been saying this for years! As a graduate of the Feingold diet I will tell you that it had absolutely no effect.

We are in a "fighting childhood obesity" district. My goodness the list of things that are not healthy and are not allowed are a good majority of what people think are healthy snacks. granola bars, nutrigrain bars, fiber one bars, cheese crackers, muffins, dried fruit, fruit yogurt, sun chips, popcorn. Juice is limited to the toddler sized box only. I am seriously tired of people telling me what I can and cannot feed my kids. We eat healthy as a general rule, with a home cooked meal 6 days a week. My kids are good eaters and will eat fruits and vegetables and do every day, but I seriously doubt my child is going to run amok if he/she has 2 chocolate chip cookies, or a brownie, or some chips with their lunch. Nor will they knock over a liquor store if the day after Halloween they have a snack sized candy bar in their lunch.

I think the teacher need to deal with this on an individual basis. If a child is showing up with a mountain dew and a king sized snickers every day, then deal with that parent, but the average child that has a small treat every once in a while....no.

 

[Tiger926]

You are absolutely correct. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52516

Nobody is saying sugary snacks are desirable, but there simply is not the connection with bad behavior that many people would claim.

What it does is cause kids to crash, and they then become unmotivated, tired and unfocused.

I can set my clock to about 9:45 am, when my highschoolers start to crash bigtime, because most of them have only consumed Big Gulps, Coke or sugar laced coffee concoctions from Tim Hortons or Starbucks for breakfast. It is a big problem...

Tiger

 

[ajh88]

Badblackpug - your last post really struck a chord with me. I've been hearing about districts like yours (I assume) and I usually don't get too worked up about stuff - but my opinion on this matter is that when the school district starts buying my groceries, they can tell me what my kid can eat (or can't eat). I've been making a concious effort to shop healthier - less processed food, lower sodium alternatives, fewer "snacks", more fruit, and so on - it is MY fault if my kid is stuffing junk in her mouth all day if I don't have a healthy alternative. However, I've also noticed my grocery bill eeking up ever so slightly each trip. It is worth it to me (just like it is worth it to some people to pay the premium for organic food), but it is an extra cost just the same.

And now I guess I need to go read the label on my Fiber One bars...I have one for breakfast every day because I wanted to increase my fiber intake, but maybe I'm being bad and don't know it!

OK, I'm off my soapbox now...

 

[badblackpug]

Badblackpug - your last post really struck a chord with me. I've been hearing about districts like yours (I assume) and I usually don't get too worked up about stuff - but my opinion on this matter is that when the school district starts buying my groceries, they can tell me what my kid can eat (or can't eat). I've been making a concious effort to shop healthier - less processed food, lower sodium alternatives, fewer "snacks", more fruit, and so on - it is MY fault if my kid is stuffing junk in her mouth all day if I don't have a healthy alternative. However, I've also noticed my grocery bill eeking up ever so slightly each trip. It is worth it to me (just like it is worth it to some people to pay the premium for organic food), but it is an extra cost just the same.

And now I guess I need to go read the label on my Fiber One bars...I have one for breakfast every day because I wanted to increase my fiber intake, but maybe I'm being bad and don't know it!

OK, I'm off my soapbox now...

I know, it's very frustrating. Like I said, we do try to eat healthy food for the most part, but I, honestly, have no problems with my kids having treats. Like I said, I don't think a couple of cookies or chips or the occasional piece of candy is going to lead to their demise. They really are good eaters, and will eat almost any fruit and most vegetables. I do think the schools are overstepping by policing my child's lunch. I try to pack a decent lunch. Again, if they were coming to school with nothing but junk on a daily basis, then the teacher or lunch monitor should speak to the parent, but a couple of cookies or crackers is no issue. My sister sent a snack pack of Doritos with my nephews lunch, on his birthday, and the teacher took it away!

We live in an area with a lot of farm markets, and I have a vegetable garden, so in the summer we get nice fresh produce at a reasonable price, but being in the northeast, our grocery bill is insane in the winter, so I feel your pain.

The basics are whole grain nothing with more than 9g of fat (unless it's nuts) and nothing with any type of sugar in the 1st 3 ingredients (which BTW is the case with the Fiber One bars)

 

[MoniqueU]

I would be ticked big time. My kids are all thin and active and don't reat all that healthy. I have neighbors that come over and complain to me about not cooking a 4 course meal for my kids. Well the two that do it the most have overweight kids. One in particular started pretty much force feeding her daughter when she was an infant. The whole eat everything even if you don't like it and eat everything on your plate mentality. I have too many food issues from childhood to try and force my kids to eat something. Strangely they all have better diets then I do. But if they want chiprs for a snack at lunch so be it. And I bet if anyone took a close look at some of the school lunches they aren't that good either.

I see alot of teacher bashing this time of year but you are dead on being pissed. I would not sign it and just leave it at that. No use even calling and complaining, the administration rarely listens to you anyhow.

 

[mumto3girls]

I would feel uncomfortable with the contract also, but on something like this I would probably sign it and move on. I suspect the reason for the contract is that many parents do not follow the wellness policy guidelines that are already in place. While I do think that parents should be allowed to decide what is best for their own children to eat, I do get that some of those choices may cause problems in the classroom. I have two children currently in elementary school and depending upon the timing of their lunches, they get either an afternoon or a morning snack. Those snacks are supposed to be healthy, but my girls tell me that the majority of kids bring things like chips, cookies, candy bars, fruit rollups etc. I think that many parents don't really distinguish between treats and snacks. My oldest told me that in her first grade class one child brought a full size candy bar every day. They ate snack while sitting on a rug listening to a story and she said finally the teacher had to call the parents and ask them to not send something so messy as she was getting chocolate all over herself, the rug and even other kids.

I try to send a healthy snack for my kids that contains a little bit of protein---a few pretzels and bit of cheese (Laughing Cow cheese wedges are great) or some hummus with a few crackers--to keep them going for the next few hours. I have nothing against treats though and often include something like a cookie or a small candy bar in their lunches when I know they will have some protein to balance it out.

Having said that, if its a party day in the school (they only have 3 or 4 a year), I think they should be allowed to have cupcakes and cookes and juice etc. To me, that is part of what makes it a party. I think the wellness policy can be taken too far.