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Wednesday, July 05, 2017

US schools rethink meal-debt policies that humiliate kids

SANTA FE, N.M. —Teaching assistant Kelvin Holt watched as a preschool student fell to the back of a cafeteria line during breakfast in Killeen, Texas, as if trying to hide.

"The cash register woman says to this 4-year-old girl, verbatim, 'You have no money,'" said Holt, describing the incident last year. A milk carton was taken away, and the girl's food was dumped in the trash. "She did not protest, other than to walk away in tears."

Holt has joined a chorus of outrage against lunchroom practices that can humiliate children as public school districts across the United States rethink how they cope with unpaid student lunch debts.

The U.S. Agriculture Department is requiring districts to adopt policies this month for addressing meal debts and to inform parents at the start of the academic year.

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Grow food as part of the curriculum. Everyone helps, everyone eats...level playing field with no free rides (lunch). Also, encourage farmers of tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

So gonna raise more taxes to pay for the welfare babies lunches? Or take away from the real purpose of educating kids? How about not funding or supporting unwed wefare baby factories.

Anonymous said...

Too bad Santa Fe and every other big city doesn't have a Lunch Account Santa like Joe Albero. I remember your generous holiday gift to our community when you paid off the outstanding lunch balance of EVERY student in Wicomico County. Your generosity was amazing and hungry kids benefited. Thank you Joe!

Anonymous said...

At the end of the day, the leftover will be tossed in the trash anyways, so what difference does it make. A child shouldn't go hungry. Feed the child and handle the parents bill later.

Anonymous said...

Parents need to be held accountable. Little Johnny can't eat but mommy has a $400. Cell phone, and a new car.

Anonymous said...

4:46 don't forget her new nail job and hair extensions.

Anonymous said...

So, they rather throw away (waste) the food tray rather than let the kid eat?!?! Talk about humiliation :( At the end of the day they throw all of the food away (waste it).

People, you are rude..........It is not the kids fault for their parents actions! Kids don't ask to be brought/born into these situations.

Anonymous said...

Is it not sad how grown-ups have turned into the spoiled kids of today. To throw away a perfectly good meal and embarrass a child should have that supposedly adult fired!!!!This is a sick society anymore.

Anonymous said...

We live in a great Country.
Go Trump!

Right.

Anonymous said...

Children don't deserve to go hungry. When it comes to small ones, especially...choose kindness.