School Project (vent)

[RitaZ.]

My kids have never been assigned "cooking projects", and I'm sure they never will. The schools in our county don't allow ANY homemade foods to be brought in to school due to the possibility of food-borne illnesses.

My DS (2nd grader) had to come up with his own original invention for a project last month. He did a really good job and did it on his own, I just helped him follow the order of directions. When we went to Academic Night at his school, the teacher had all the inventions displayed in the classroom. There were a few that looked like they were done by a child, many that were totally done by adults. I know that some of these projects are not within the child's ability and the parents need to help, but the bulk of the work should be left to the child.

 

[carole88]

I have a problem with the whole chocolate idea. These days too many children have peanut allergies. Most chocolate is produced in factories that also use peanuts in their products. Cross contamination can be very dangerous. My nephew has a severe peanut allergy and will never be able to eat chocolate. This project would not be very fair to him!

 

[Talking Hands]

Unfortunately not al projects are fair to every child. This project would not be fair to a diabetic child either because that child would not be able to eat it either. Sometimes we get stuck with things that aren't fair to us as an individual.
My oldest would be making it out of carob or white chocolate as she cannot have chocolate either.

 

[disneychrista]

I guess after a school year of my 5th grade DD having to do a reciepe evey 4 - 6 weeks I don't understand the big deal. A 9/10 YO 4th grader should be able to handle a simple reciepe. Of course it will require adult supervision but the child should be able to meaure, stir etc.

IMO it is the parents that make school projects into the big deal that they become. If left to the child they would be much simpler.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

Originally posted by carole88
I have a problem with the whole chocolate idea. These days too many children have peanut allergies. Most chocolate is produced in factories that also use peanuts in their products. Cross contamination can be very dangerous. My nephew has a severe peanut allergy and will never be able to eat chocolate. This project would not be very fair to him!

Life isn't fair. People are allergic to all kinds of things, does that mean that there should never be any kind of food project? I'm afraid that makes no sense. ETA, your nephew could easily tell the teacher he couldn't do it and why, I'm sure she would already know.

 

[Mermaid02]

Obviously the teacher's real dream is to be a judge in the Pillsbury Bake Off.

I wouldn't like this project.... I wouldn't want the expense (how many trials before they get a "yummy" one). And nope, I don't want my kids eating stuff other parents bring in.... some people aren't very clean even though they are supposedly responsible adults.

Bring your concerns to the teacher's attention- maybe she hadn't really thought this through. Just say "E coli" to her.

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

DD had to invent a dessert this year in 3rd grade. We were also asked to make enough to serve everyone. The teacher gave a special paper to write the recipe on and they made a classroom cookbook.

When the directions for this project came home, I decided that I would make it as easy as possible for DD. We bought enough Jell-o vanilla pudding snackpacks for the class. DD tested out what extra ingredients she wanted to add to the cups, she chose her favorite combination, recorded it and we were done. It was so easy. However, after dessert day, DD came home saying that kids didn't like most of the desserts. Most got tossed in the trash. This seems like a total waste of food and money. I spoke to the teacher a few days later and she said that she would never do that project again because there was too much food to possibly eat in one day.

 

[hydster]

I would be furious if that was sent to me as an assignment for my 4th grader! In our school system (may even be a state board of health requirement) it is against school policy no matter if it is a private preschool to high school for any food to be brought to class that is HOME PREPARED! It has to come prepackaged and unopened or the teachers must throw it away. I would have SERIOUS issues with this and in no way would my child participate no matter what the teacher, principal, or school board said! My child would be absent that day (although I would maybe send in a recipe for each child) but no way would I allow my child to participate! Maybe if they made the recipe IN school from ingredients that were sent in by each parent I could see it a little more but allowing people to cook food in their home EWWW!! My friend *whom I love to death* has the most disgusting kitchen I've ever seen. I won't eat anything from her, at her house and not even takeout just because I don't trust her plates! I wouldn't ever let my child eat something from another house...it's just too risky if you ask me.

I have my flame resistant suit on..but I would make a huge fuss and tell the teacher in no uncertain terms that your child will not be participating in this report no matter what the consequence is. I think it is a teacher's way to get some "science education" without having to lift a finger *except to stuff her mouth with dessert* and I wouldn't allow it.

Heidi

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by hydster
I think it is a teacher's way to get some "science education" without having to lift a finger *except to stuff her mouth with dessert* and I wouldn't allow it.

If the teacher wanted to get away with as little work as possible, she would assign reading out of the textbook and a worksheet or the questions at the end of the chapter. So many parents complain that their children get bored because their teacher doesn't have enough "hands on" learning experiences. You can't please everyone.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Don't stress this can actually be done very easily. Mind you not that I would think it fun at the end of the year either. But you could do it really easily and let the child do the majority of the work. As another suggested get some of the Wilton or AC Moore chocolate wafers. A package of the large dipping strawberries. ands some wax paper. Melt the chocolate, dip the strawberries. It will be colorful so call it the (Rainbow strawberry patch.) ALL you will have to do is melt the wafers.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Originally posted by hydster
I think it is a teacher's way to get some "science education" without having to lift a finger *except to stuff her mouth with dessert* and I wouldn't allow it.

Originally posted by hydster

I agree with Bojangles

I think you have the right to your opinion, but flaming rude comments about the teacher because of your opinions is completely uncalled for. People would be complaining if all their kids did was bring home worksheets every day too...everyone will not always be 'happy' with the way teachers run their classrooms. It seems as though it is a losing battle

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

it is against school policy no matter if it is a private preschool to high school for any food to be brought to class that is HOME PREPARED!

You've got to be kidding!!!! No homemade cupcakes from home on birthdays? No cookies? I can't believe that!! What is the point of that? For as long as I can remember Mom's have been bringing homemade cupcakes in for birthday parties, as far as I remember nobody died.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

I would have SERIOUS issues with this and in no way would my child participate no matter what the teacher, principal, or school board said! My child would be absent that day

Why? What is the big deal? What do you think would happen if he/she ate something prepared by another parent? I don't get it.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I would have SERIOUS issues with this and in no way would my child participate no matter what the teacher, principal, or school board said! My child would be absent that day

I have SERIOUS issues with the message that you are sending your child. I can understand if it was something that was against your religion or against a strong belief you had, but it's just fun food, come on people! Do you not realize what your children 'touch' on a daily basis? I'm sure whatever would be in something that someone made at home will be much less harmful than the playground equipment or the cafeteria tables or the water fountains in your child's school. Worst case scenario, send a note to your child's teacher that he/she is not permitted to eat anything that is brought in, but will still participate in creating a project. I think keeping your child home from school and complaining to ALL powers that be is sending a message to your child that he/she doesn't ever have to do anything he/she doesn't want to because mommy or daddy will always fix it. Once your child is past the age of 6 or 7 I think they need to start realizing that they can fix some of their own problems. There are ways to make your point calmly and rationally without making the school look like the bad guy in your child's eyes.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by gymnasticsmom68
You've got to be kidding!!!! No homemade cupcakes from home on birthdays? No cookies? I can't believe that!! What is the point of that? For as long as I can remember Mom's have been bringing homemade cupcakes in for birthday parties, as far as I remember nobody died.

FYI....
Here in our area there is NO HOMEMADE TREATS at all!!!
My dd is 13 and I have NEVER EVER been able to bring in ANYTHING homemade. It is because of Hepatitis C.

It sucks.

So in our school system that project could not be assigned. You are lucky (to the OP).

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

Originally posted by The Mystery Machine
FYI....
Here in our area there is NO HOMEMADE TREATS at all!!!
My dd is 13 and I have NEVER EVER been able to bring in ANYTHING homemade. It is because of Hepatitis C.

It sucks.

So in our school system that project could not be assigned. You are lucky (to the OP).

Is Hepatitis C a big problem imn your area, or is it a problem that somebody thought could arise? I am truly shocked by this, I've never heard anything like that in my life.

As for not letting a child eat anything from somebody else's home, that shocks me even more. I think we should just stick our kids in a plastic bubble and not let them touch anything. I can't imagine cupcakes from another Mother's house could be anywhere near as bad as what they touch every day of their lives. I wonder what you're afraid of.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

Another question...do your children go to birthday parties, restaurants?

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by gymnasticsmom68
I can't imagine cupcakes from another Mother's house could be anywhere near as bad as what they touch every day of their lives. I wonder what you're afraid of.

We go to church picnics and lunches where everyone brings a dish and have never given it a thought. Same with the Christmas dinners at work. My kids eat over at their friends houses and have cupcakes/cookies that the other moms bring in to school and I'm sure their kitchens aren't sterile. Think of all the fun they would miss out on if I were that germ phobic.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by gymnasticsmom68
Is Hepatitis C a big problem imn your area, or is it a problem that somebody thought could arise? I am truly shocked by this, I've never heard anything like that in my life.

It has been awhile but I think a LONG while ago they did have a Hep C breakout, I don't know if you remember the scare (on the news, 1989-90), when it was known that you could get it from food. Everyone was getting shots.

If you work at a food establishment around here you are required to get a Hep C shot/test. At least you used too. I don't know if that has changed.

All of the schools made a school policy of no homemade treats allowed. It really stinks as I love to bake and have never been able to share my "gifts" at school.

Also when we serve food (bought from the store) we are supposed to wear gloves.

Yippee....sounds like fun doesn't it. So enjoy your days of homemade treats because probably that will go away eventually for everyone I imagine.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

Originally posted by The Mystery Machine

Yippee....sounds like fun doesn't it. So enjoy your days of homemade treats because probably that will go away eventually for everyone I imagine.

That's just sad. I feel bad for the kids. How sad that you can't take your little ones cupcakes for their birthdays.

I'm sure you're right though, some 'well meaning' Mother will get it in her head that kids shouldn't eat other people's food and everything will have to be store bought. I can't imagine my kids would rather have a package of Oreos over something homemade.