To whom it may concern,
On Friday, the 7th of September of 2007, I sent a lunch to school with my daughter. This lunch contained: Snackables (pre-packaged cheese, crackers, ham & a miniature KitKat), raisins, applesauce, mini rice-crisps, and pure juice (NOT fruit drink). Arrangements have been made with my neighbour who works at the cafeteria to provide my daughter with plain milk every day at lunch and NOT chocolate milk. It has been explained that she is not to have chocolate milk as it causes her stomach upset. She is not accustomed to sweets in abundance, and can only have them on rare occasions and in very small portions. Chocolate milk served at home would be ½ teaspoon of Quik powder to 1 cup of milk. Barely even changing its colour. An amount sufficient enough only to add a small bit of flavour. A treat served perhaps once every month or two?
In our home it is our habit to serve plain milk at every meal. Fresh fruit and/or vegetables are also served at every meal including breakfast except for one evening a week when we order take-out for my night off from cooking.
There are no cookies in our house. No cake. No junk food of the sort. No fruit leather which is packed full of sugar, etc
Snacks/deserts are: yogourt, fruit, veggies, apple sauce, granola bars, raisins, dried cranberries, and that sort of thing. Treats are very rare, once a week or every 2 weeks. Our only regular treat is ice cream which is served a couple of times a week. And its always Neopolitan, not some fudge chocolate concoction.
We are very conscientious about teaching our children good eating habits, which is why I am very angered by a situation that took place today at school.
My daughters lunch was a treat today. A reward that was well deserved. And she was punished when Mme ****** promptly removed Mereenas miniature Kitkat from her lunch. Mereena returned home wondering what she did that was wrong. She was rightfully upset.
In my daughters agenda, it was written, There is a school policy of No chocolate in the cafeteria. I have removed the kitkat bar and stored it in the front pocket for her to have at home. What Mereena said to me when she got home was I was saving it to eat after my applesauce. That statement alone speaks volumes for her eating habits.
First let me point out, the statement regarding the policy is false. Trying to enforce that statement/policy is hypocritical. Particularly given what is listed on the cafeteria menu for the month. Items such as: Chocolate milk, Cake, Pudding, Brownie. I am also well aware that Chocolate muffins, and chocolate chip cookies are also available. I am most certain that my daughters miniature kitkat had far less calories/sugar than any of the aforementioned. (Miniature, like the ones given out at Halloween).
And pray tell, what nutritional value does jello offer?
Secondly, what I choose to feed MY child is my business. The schools business is education. With all due respect, while I appreciate that the school promotes healthy eating habits, I deeply resent the interference. PARTICULARLY given that Mereena is a child that loves her fruit and vegetables and would gladly choose yogourt over a piece of cake. I appreciate that in todays society, many children are short-changed while their parents are too lazy to cook, living on junk food, instant food and fast food from McDonalds. Its truly unfortunate. However, that is not the case in my home. And should I choose to treat MY child, it is NOT the place of Mme Leger to take her treat from her.
I have also been made aware that not all teachers/monitors remove said treats or enforce this policy.
Given the facts regarding this situation, I would appreciate that in future, my daughters lunch be left alone for her to consume in its entirety.
If such a policy does indeed exist, then it should be enforced to the fullest extent; removing chocolate in its entirety (including chocolate milk) from the cafeteria kitchens and also from childrens lunches of other classes.
To do otherwise is hypocritical, unjust, and discriminatory.
I regret commencing the year on such a poor note, it most certainly was not my intention. While I welcome any advice or assistance in helping my daughter to get the most of her education, the energy wasted on the incident today would have been better directed at a child who truly does need to learn better eating habits.
Sincerely,
