- November 19, 2024
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What are we feeding our children at school?
Dear Editor:
I'm a parent of a first-grader at Belle Terre Elementary School and a clinical psychologist. Last week, I went to eat lunch with my son for his birthday and was appalled at what I saw. I sent the following email to the principal, vice-principal and his teacher:
“I joined my son for lunch today for his birthday and would like to express my concern at what I observed. I watched my son, a first-grader, fill his tray with several items, including a bag of five cookies. He proceeded to eat one pepperoni from his salad, a bite from his pretzel stick, four cookies and an ice cream bar. We were surrounded by children who ate almost the exact same thing as he did — even a child who had brought his lunch eat one bite from his sandwich then go up to buy ice cream. The teacher on duty appeared to be doing paperwork until cleanup time; I then watched trays full of untouched and unopened food get dumped into the trash.
“I chose not to correct my son in that moment (although I plan to address it with him when he gets home) because I did not want to embarrass him in front of the other children.
“Several concerns are raised here. First, I have to assume my son is eating only cookies and ice cream (or other junk food) every day for lunch. He's 6, and if there is no one to supervise him, of course he will choose all of the junk food. Second, the variety of junk food offered to these children is appalling. Chips, cookies, ice cream — why would they choose anything else? And finally, the sheer amount of wasted food: unbelievable.
“I understand the child-to-teacher ratio eliminates the ability to personally choose each child's tray; however, I feel there are a variety of things that could help. For example, requiring the students to ask the teacher before they go up to buy sweets. I don't mind if my son has ice cream with his lunch, provided he has eaten a portion of his meal. A quick glance at the student's lunch tray would show if they have not eaten anything even remotely nutritious. Eliminating or regulating the fatty, empty-calorie snacks and sweets would be preferable. I would appreciate your attention on this matter. Thank you.”
I did not hear a word from either the principal or vice-principal, although I did receive an email back from his teacher assuring me that when she is on duty, she monitors what is being eaten. This is very concerning to me, and I feel other parents would be concerned, as well, if they knew that their children's lunches were not being properly monitored. I have spoken to a number of parents who were completely unaware of the amount of junk food offered to our children.
I am writing to you hoping something can be done to educate the parents of our community and make them aware of what I feel is an important issue.
Dr. Lindsay Dees
Palm Coast
