Posts: 4,834
Threads: 3,566
Joined: May 2013
Reputation:
907
(CNN) — The Wyoming Valley West School District in Pennsylvania sent out hundreds of letters this week telling parents who had lunch debt to pay or their children could go into foster care.
The letter, which was reviewed by CNN, told parents that there have been "multiple letters sent home with your child" and that no payments had been made.
"Your child has been sent to school every day without money and without a breakfast and/or lunch," the letter read. It also said failure to provide children with food could result in parents being sent to Dependency Court.
"If you are taken to Dependency court, the result may be your child being removed from your home and placed in foster care," the letter read.
Joseph Muth, the director of federal programs for the school district, was identified by WNEP as the man who wrote the letter. Muth told the affiliate the letter was a "last resort" and that the district is owed more than $22,000 by roughly 1,000 students. Four accounts show parents owe more than $450 each, WNEP reported.
Muth also told the affiliate the school district was considering serving students with delinquent accounts peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/20/us/pennsy...index.html
The Pennsylvania district isn't the first state to face accusations of what's become known as "lunch shaming."
A school district in Rhode Island caused an uproar in May when it announced that any students with unpaid balances on their lunch accounts would receive a sunflower seed butter and jelly sandwich until their balance was paid. Yogurt company Chobani then stepped in and paid off a large part of the $77,000 debt.
Tough situation...School districts dont have this kind of extra $ around. You read all the time about teachers spending their own $$ to help kids in their classrooms with supplies etc...
I'm sure there are plenty of families who simply cannot afford lunch program menus - then the flip-side of that coin is...
Its tough because some families can't really afford it. But many others can, but their deadbeat parents spend their money on new smart phones, cigarettes, $60 a pop manicures, $100 haircuts, etc. I used to love to see the 1995 rusted out car and the $600 iPhone spending $6.00 a pack on cigarettes.
I guess my message is. Dont treat the public school systems like your own personal daycare parents. Get involved, stay involved volunteer even if you have time. The very least you can do is take the time to see your child has food or food money before you hop them on that bus. It literally only takes a few minutes to apply for free lunch. They literally almost never decline. If you are already on some kind of public assistance (food stamps) in my state you are automatically approved.
Public schools are not just a place to store your child while you go about your busy day.
...and I thought this was going to be about the kid with the Takis Fuego vs. the kid who brings the re-used bag of stale potato chips.
I fucking hate these types of articles... they try to paint the school system as the bad guy. before school starts every year there are forms sent to parents about going back to school and what their kids need... there are always forms on free and reduced school lunches, parents throw them away. once school starts there are orientation days that parents are invited to where once again forms and information are made available on the lunch programs, parents ignore them. once the schools see that the kids are suffering and the parents are delinquent with the funds... its brought to them again, but once again they dont fill them out. finally the school stops giving them hot lunches for free and its the schools that are at fault here? Fuck that noise.
trust me, as a former school board member, we want the people that qualify to fill out the forms. The schools typically make more money on the lunch program than what they charge for a full price meal. its in the schools best interest to have as many students on the lunch programs as possible. (although not good for the countries coffers)
If a parent is repeatedly sending their kids off without food or resources to obtain food then they should be hauled into family court to prove their worthiness as parents IMO.
Quote: @suncoastvike said:
I guess my message is. Dont treat the public school systems like your own personal daycare parents.
You say that like it's a bad thing. :-) School is very much a de facto daycare. Now, I make sure my kids have their lunches and have their homework done, and I do stay involved in what they're doing, as most parents do, rich, poor or otherwise.
However, as I write another 4-figure check for summer time daycare, where my kids learn "crafts," I'm again reminded what a great bargain public school is. Wait, you have them 7 hours a day, which allows me to go into work. You teach them math, science, English, engineering...and they learn social skills, play soccer and volleyball? And you charge how much for this camp? Sign me up.
I was a market researcher in big food for over 30 years before retirement. I'd consult with grocers all the time (i.e. Kroger, Publix, Walmart etc.) about consumers, shopping habits/practices etc.
Summer is a very difficult time for poor families.
Finding $$ to feed their kids 2 meals a day 5 days a week in the summer vs their food bill during the school year?
When the district feeds them 2 of their 3 meals a day Mon-Fri?
I suppose this can quickly pivot to a discussion on birth control and not having kids unless you can afford em...
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ suncoastvike said:
I guess my message is. Dont treat the public school systems like your own personal daycare parents.
You say that like it's a bad thing. :-) School is very much a de facto daycare. Now, I make sure my kids have their lunches and have their homework done, and I do stay involved in what they're doing, as most parents do, rich, poor or otherwise.
However, as I write another 4-figure check for summer time daycare, where my kids learn "crafts," I'm again reminded what a great bargain public school is. Wait, you have them 7 hours a day, which allows me to go into work. You teach them math, science, English, engineering...and they learn social skills, play soccer and volleyball? And you charge how much for this camp? Sign me up.
the key part of that being a win for the tax payer is you, the parent, staying involved with your kids (as I know you do) and making sure that they arent pissing away the opportunity that is given to them. unfortunately to many dont see it as an opportunity, they see it as a free day care and arent involved with their kids upbringing and activities.
everytime 4 day school weeks get brought up, the #1 talking point isnt whether is better for the kids or not, its always about the lack of day care for them on their day off, just like the year round school that is pushed, the #1 support arguement is that it would be better for the working parent. ( even though they still get long breaks, just not 3 months straight.
|
