http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1162172/Sandwich-box-Stasi-Parents-fury-school-inspects-lunches-confiscates-junk-food.html
Parents' fury over school which inspects lunches and confiscates junk food
Nazi UK???
A primary school has been accused of running a 'mealtime Gestapo' after insisting on inspecting children's lunchboxes for unhealthy food.
If pupils are found to have sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks or full-fat crisps, teachers confiscate them and hold them in the staffroom.
The snacks are returned at the end of the day but only if parents ask.
One parent, Magdi Cullen, said she was shocked when her nine-year-old daughter Maria told her about the policy at Danegrove Primary School in Barnet, North London.
Mrs Cullen, 34, of Cockfosters, said: 'When I found out about what they were doing, I thought, "This is a primary school, not Guantanamo Bay".
'I can't believe that teachers go through their lunchboxes because there might be something like a small chocolate bar.
'My daughter has a sandwich and an apple as well, but now she has to hide a small box of Smarties I give her. It's just not right.
'The school is very good apart from this and we can't fault it in any way academically.'
Her husband, wine vendor Jerry Cullen, 51, said: 'The whole situation is ridiculous and the teachers are acting like the mealtime Gestapo by going through their lunchboxes. The crisps have to be approved healthy ones and they can cost a small fortune.'
Parents were sent a letter informing them of the strict meal searches. The letter warned: 'Lots of unsuitable items have been sneaking in lately. Therefore, we will have to look after such items until the end of the day in order to be fair to everybody.
A hot dog
Danegrove school confiscates any junk food it deems unsuitable and holds it in the staffroom
'So chocolate and other unhealthy foods found in packed lunch boxes will be taken to the office for collection by parents at the end of the day.'
The school said in a statement-At Danegrove School: We are following the Government's healthy lunches guidelines for school meals and packed lunches.
'We advise that that all pupils consume a well balanced meal at midday in order to promote healthy eating and maximise the children's potential learning in the afternoon sessions.'
Headmistress Deborah Metcalf said: 'We were finding that some children could be bringing in crisps, a Mars bar and can of Coke with their lunches. This stance is trying to work with parents to provide a healthy meal for their children.' Danegrove is not the first school to cause controversy with its healthy eating policies.
In 2007, Standish High School in Wigan banned pupils from leaving the school grounds at lunchtime, stopping them from going to fast food outlets.
Some children phoned a local sandwich delivery man who came to the school and passed his wares through the gates.
However, teachers complained and the sandwich seller was asked to move on by police.
Anna~Anna
"Flintville Annie"
© 2006-2015
Ridiculous isn't it?... and a bit scary too! It's becoming more and more like a nanny state in this country. I know schools need to do what they can to make sure children are eating healthily but surely this is going too far. They've introduced a break-time policy in Wales (not sure about England) where snacks have been banned altogether but they sell a large selection of fruit instead, very cheaply (for less than the cost of a chocolate bar). I think that's a good idea because it's a positive action that encourages children to get at least one of their six-a-day by substituting a healthy snack. Still, sneaking in a box of Smarties is pretty irresponsible for a parent who's aware of the school's policy and does nothing to reinforce the healthy eating message the school's tryingto promote. It does say something when having sweets, chocolate has become a necessity for a child, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteMy own parents had us take "hot lunch" but that was back in the day that hot lunch was actually good, and GOOD for you!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, there was always 15 cents for a can of Dr. Pepper during study hall as well.
The article above implies that *all* parents are idiots and do not know how to feed their children.
A soda, or a candy bar, mid afternoon, will do no harm if the kids are eating right to begin with.
We ate right.
The article also implies that the school is willing to deny diabetic children what they need in the event of becoming hypoglycemic.
Or would this be singling out one group of children over another?
Because if that is the case, then it becomes a civil right matter for everyone.
XOXO
Me
I read this yesterday but didn't have the chance to comment. So I will do so now.
ReplyDeleteThis is wrong on so many levels. If they want to mandate what the SCHOOL serves the kids is one thing but to decide what parents can or can not pack in their child's sack lunch is outrageous!!! I see nothing wrong with allowing a child to have a "treat" in their lunch. That's what makes having a sack lunch fun. I say all parents should throw in a bar of dark chocolate. The school can't take that away from them because studies/doctors have said that dark chocolate is GOOD for one's heart. While it may be wrong judegment on the parent's part to pack a can of soda, it is NOT up to the school to decide what is and is right.
I say the school has overstepped its bounds in a big way. Maybe if the schools served more of the things that kids like instead of "yucky stuff", maybe then parents wouldn't have to pack lunches for their kids. What's next? Banning parents from even sending sack lunches to school for their kids. I just wonder how many of the confiscated "bad food" actually makes it back home. Just wonder how many of the teachers just help themselves to what is sent.
I think the parents of these students need to take a stand against this school for infringing on their rights as parents to make decisions for the kids. I know if I were one of those parents I sure as heck would be right up in their "business" and giving them all a piece of my parental mind.
ReplyDeleteRight Sweet Pam;
It IS wrong every which way...
And as I said, it sure becomes a civil rights matter all too quickly.
I giggled at the teachers jacking the leftover yummys. One could surmise that they take it home for their own kids...
XOXO
me