twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,975 
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Sept 27, 2023 2:19:35 GMT
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Post by kenziekeeper on Sept 27, 2023 2:23:17 GMT
This is local-ish to me. If read the full district statement, you’ll see that it was a statement reiterating an existing policy.
If a kid has a negative balance, they still can buy lunch - just not an extra like ice cream. This seems logical - you can’t continue to run up a negative balance on non-necessities.
They did apologize for the lack of empathy in the way the original message came across.
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Post by lucyg on Sept 27, 2023 2:40:00 GMT
This is local-ish to me. If read the full district statement, you’ll see that it was a statement reiterating an existing policy. If a kid has a negative balance, they still can buy lunch - just not an extra like ice cream. This seems logical - you can’t continue to run up a negative balance on non-necessities. They did apologize for the lack of empathy in the way the original message came across. But if the post is correct, the school DID attempt to punish kids with negative balances, by refusing to allow them to buy ice cream even if they bring the cash to pay for it. This isn't prison. It’s children who are already downtrodden, being exposed to additional unkindness and humiliation. I don’t really care if it was an “existing policy.” It still sucks. We used to have ice cream days at the 14yo’s grade school, and no one was checking lunch balance logs before selling ice cream to a kid with $1 in his grubby little hand.  |
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,937
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Sept 27, 2023 2:51:59 GMT
This past election, our state voted to have 100% free lunch to all students. Great way to eliminate the type of policy that is causing concern. The parents are the ones that may need to be punished, not the child.
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Post by kenziekeeper on Sept 27, 2023 2:53:08 GMT
This is local-ish to me. If read the full district statement, you’ll see that it was a statement reiterating an existing policy. If a kid has a negative balance, they still can buy lunch - just not an extra like ice cream. This seems logical - you can’t continue to run up a negative balance on non-necessities. They did apologize for the lack of empathy in the way the original message came across. But if the post is correct, the school DID attempt to punish kids with negative balances, by refusing to allow them to buy ice cream even if they bring the cash to pay for it. This isn't prison. It’s children who are already downtrodden, being exposed to additional unkindness and humiliation. I don’t really care if it was an “existing policy.” It still sucks. We used to have ice cream days at the 14yo’s grade school, and no one was checking lunch balance logs before selling ice cream to a kid with $1 in his grubby little hand. So, if my family has a bill that I don’t pay… Can I continue to use the service? I’m not seeing the difference. I agree with you that it isn’t the kid’s fault. There is ample opportunity to apply for free/reduced lunch if the bill truly can’t be paid. |
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Post by freecharlie on Sept 27, 2023 2:57:03 GMT
But if the post is correct, the school DID attempt to punish kids with negative balances, by refusing to allow them to buy ice cream even if they bring the cash to pay for it. This isn't prison. It’s children who are already downtrodden, being exposed to additional unkindness and humiliation. I don’t really care if it was an “existing policy.” It still sucks. We used to have ice cream days at the 14yo’s grade school, and no one was checking lunch balance logs before selling ice cream to a kid with $1 in his grubby little hand. So, if my family has a bill that I don’t pay… Can I continue to use the service? I’m not seeing the difference. I agree with you that it isn’t the kid’s fault. There is ample opportunity to apply for free/reduced lunch if the bill truly can’t be paid. There aren't adults, they are children and shouldn't be punished. As another posted said, all lunches are free in my state now. |
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Post by Lexica on Sept 27, 2023 2:59:40 GMT
These kids are being made to feel less than over something most likely not in their control. It is their parent’s responsibility to make sure their lunch money account is paid up. And given the current economy, there may be parents that are truly struggling and barely making it each month. So yeah, let’s make these kids feel even more ostracized than they already may feel and create shame over their difficult circumstances. That policy sucks. When my son was in school, If a child didn’t have a lunch ticket that day, they were given a free peanut butter sandwich. My own son lost his lunch ticket more than once during his elementary school years. I appreciated that the school gave him a sandwich and he didnt go hungry. It also taught him to put those lunch tickets in a safe place in his backpack. What do other schools do if a child has no lunch ticket for the cafeteria?
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Post by femalebusiness on Sept 27, 2023 3:01:39 GMT
I don't give a rat's ass whether a child's bill is paid or unpaid. You don't single out and humiliate a child because their parents haven't paid their lunch bill. Figure out a different way to get your money. There are truly some sickos that should not be in charge of anything concerning children.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,505
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Post by pinklady on Sept 27, 2023 3:13:37 GMT
So, if my family has a bill that I don’t pay… Can I continue to use the service? I’m not seeing the difference. I agree with you that it isn’t the kid’s fault. There is ample opportunity to apply for free/reduced lunch if the bill truly can’t be paid. That you think this let alone write this down tells me all I need to know about you and it isn’t good. These are fucking children! What the hell is wrong with you! |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Sept 27, 2023 3:13:37 GMT
But if the post is correct, the school DID attempt to punish kids with negative balances, by refusing to allow them to buy ice cream even if they bring the cash to pay for it. This isn't prison. It’s children who are already downtrodden, being exposed to additional unkindness and humiliation. I don’t really care if it was an “existing policy.” It still sucks. We used to have ice cream days at the 14yo’s grade school, and no one was checking lunch balance logs before selling ice cream to a kid with $1 in his grubby little hand. So, if my family has a bill that I don’t pay… Can I continue to use the service? I’m not seeing the difference. I agree with you that it isn’t the kid’s fault. There is ample opportunity to apply for free/reduced lunch if the bill truly can’t be paid. No, the kid holding a dollar should be allowed to buy the ice cream. On second thought, NO kids should be denied the ice cream treat for any reason!! |
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Post by kenziekeeper on Sept 27, 2023 3:25:47 GMT
I can see I’m going to be in the minority here as far as understanding the system for buying extras at lunch. Nobody is being denied an actual lunch. They don’t even take cash at the register, so no kid is standing there with a dollar asking for ice cream. If you want to consider the full picture, here’s a local news article. www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/lebanon-school-apologizes-for-controversial-ice-cream-post/amp/ Backing out of this thread now. Enjoy your evening. |
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Post by AussieMeg on Sept 27, 2023 3:27:13 GMT
This is local-ish to me. If read the full district statement, you’ll see that it was a statement reiterating an existing policy. If a kid has a negative balance, they still can buy lunch - just not an extra like ice cream. This seems logical - you can’t continue to run up a negative balance on non-necessities. So, if my family has a bill that I don’t pay… Can I continue to use the service? I’m not seeing the difference. I agree with you that it isn’t the kid’s fault. There is ample opportunity to apply for free/reduced lunch if the bill truly can’t be paid. I'm sorry, but fuck that noise! What a heartless response x 2. This was clearly a way to force parents into paying their outstanding bills, by guilt and shame. Well shame on the school! |
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Post by Lurkingpea on Sept 27, 2023 4:06:36 GMT
But if the post is correct, the school DID attempt to punish kids with negative balances, by refusing to allow them to buy ice cream even if they bring the cash to pay for it. This isn't prison. It’s children who are already downtrodden, being exposed to additional unkindness and humiliation. I don’t really care if it was an “existing policy.” It still sucks. We used to have ice cream days at the 14yo’s grade school, and no one was checking lunch balance logs before selling ice cream to a kid with $1 in his grubby little hand. So, if my family has a bill that I don’t pay… Can I continue to use the service? I’m not seeing the difference. I agree with you that it isn’t the kid’s fault. There is ample opportunity to apply for free/reduced lunch if the bill truly can’t be paid. It is not the same thing. If parents can't afford school supplies at the start of the year do you think they should just go without? And not do their school work? Granted this is ice cream and not a necessity. Why shouldn't all children be given ice cream if they have their dollar? And charging a dollar for an ice cream that likely costs 25 cents rubs me the wrong way anyway. It is not the children's fault their parents are behind on their lunch bill. What a callous way you view things. |
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Post by lucyg on Sept 27, 2023 4:34:31 GMT
I can see I’m going to be in the minority here as far as understanding the system for buying extras at lunch. Nobody is being denied an actual lunch. They don’t even take cash at the register, so no kid is standing there with a dollar asking for ice cream. If you want to consider the full picture, here’s a local news article. www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/lebanon-school-apologizes-for-controversial-ice-cream-post/amp/ Backing out of this thread now. Enjoy your evening. OMG, it’s the school itself selling ice cream and then publicly turning away children whose parents haven’t paid their bill? Even worse. That’s not how our ice cream days worked. The parents association sold the ice cream after school as a fundraiser and never turned away any kid who offered them $1. As far as I know, there was no issue with buying multiples to share. I myself paid for ice cream for my kid’s friends who hadn’t brought $1 several times. Not a big deal at all. Again, this is not the way to treat kids. Especially at a government-run facility. Want to cut off adults who don’t pay their bills? No problem. I won’t argue that one. Deliberately and publicly punishing children whose parents aren’t as comfortable as their friends’ parents? No way. Red states. Things never seem to change. (shaking my head) |
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Post by Basket1lady on Sept 27, 2023 4:35:04 GMT
But if the post is correct, the school DID attempt to punish kids with negative balances, by refusing to allow them to buy ice cream even if they bring the cash to pay for it. This isn't prison. It’s children who are already downtrodden, being exposed to additional unkindness and humiliation. I don’t really care if it was an “existing policy.” It still sucks. We used to have ice cream days at the 14yo’s grade school, and no one was checking lunch balance logs before selling ice cream to a kid with $1 in his grubby little hand.  So, if my family has a bill that I don’t pay… Can I continue to use the service? I’m not seeing the difference. I agree with you that it isn’t the kid’s fault. There is ample opportunity to apply for free/reduced lunch if the bill truly can’t be paid. I can see why you might say this, but I think there’s a larger issue at play here. The adults are responsible for keeping the account up-to-date and funded but it’s the child that is being denied the ice cream. Maybe the child is using their allowance, grandma gave them a dollar, or mom had an extra dollar that week because that child has been really good and decided that they were going to reward the child. This is why school lunches need to be federally funded. We think that we’re teaching the adults how to handle their money and take care of priorities, but it’s the children that suffer when the adults either can’t pay or make poor decisions and don’t pay. It’s just one more thing to take out of the equation so that one child doesn’t lord it over another child. |
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Post by lucyg on Sept 27, 2023 4:37:35 GMT
So, if my family has a bill that I don’t pay… Can I continue to use the service? I’m not seeing the difference. I agree with you that it isn’t the kid’s fault. There is ample opportunity to apply for free/reduced lunch if the bill truly can’t be paid. I can see why you might say this, but I think there’s a larger issue at play here. The adults are responsible for keeping the account up-to-date and funded but it’s the child that is being denied the ice cream. Maybe the child is using their allowance, grandma gave them a dollar, or mom had an extra dollar that week because that child has been really good and decided that they were going to reward the child. This is why school lunches need to be federally funded. We think that we’re teaching the adults how to handle their money and take care of priorities, but it’s the children that suffer when the adults either can’t pay or make poor decisions and don’t pay. It’s just one more thing to take out of the equation so that one child doesn’t lord it over another child. oh my goodness, you said that so much better (and more politely) than I did. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 27, 2023 4:44:15 GMT
This past election, our state voted to have 100% free lunch to all students. Great way to eliminate the type of policy that is causing concern. The parents are the ones that may need to be punished, not the child. Ours did this too, but it only covers the actual breakfast and lunch. If my kid wants an extra entree or one of the other extras the school cafeteria offers such as chips, Izze, a smoothie or even bottled water, she has to have money in her lunch account for that. Having said that, I think it’s pretty crappy to have an ice cream day where some kids / families are going to be singled out for their inability to pay. |
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Post by epeanymous on Sept 27, 2023 4:46:33 GMT
This is local-ish to me. If read the full district statement, you’ll see that it was a statement reiterating an existing policy. If a kid has a negative balance, they still can buy lunch - just not an extra like ice cream. This seems logical - you can’t continue to run up a negative balance on non-necessities. They did apologize for the lack of empathy in the way the original message came across. I don't think kids are much in control of their lunch balances. |
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,034
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Post by used2scrap on Sept 27, 2023 5:09:53 GMT
The you can’t buy a friend an ice cream renders the entire negative balance “point” moot. It’s just cruelty to children over freaking ice cream. Deplorable.
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 27, 2023 9:55:04 GMT
But if the post is correct, the school DID attempt to punish kids with negative balances, by refusing to allow them to buy ice cream even if they bring the cash to pay for it. This isn't prison. It’s children who are already downtrodden, being exposed to additional unkindness and humiliation. I don’t really care if it was an “existing policy.” It still sucks. We used to have ice cream days at the 14yo’s grade school, and no one was checking lunch balance logs before selling ice cream to a kid with $1 in his grubby little hand.  So, if my family has a bill that I don’t pay… Can I continue to use the service? I’m not seeing the difference. I agree with you that it isn’t the kid’s fault. There is ample opportunity to apply for free/reduced lunch if the bill truly can’t be paid. "Using the service", whatever that service may be, is totally different from "feeding our kids". In my opinion anyway. Food for children should be a given. It could be done by offering free meals to everyone, as districts are doing. Or doing their best to collect the lunch fees of those with low balances, but in the meantime still giving the kids lunch. Back when my now-adult kids were in elementary school any kid who didn't have money in their account had to go to the office for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then had a negative-balance note pinned to their backpack or coat.   This situation with the ice cream party is awful. Maybe a family who struggles to pay the reduced lunch fees could still scrape up an extra dollar for the kid to get some ice cream. And, that kids were told they couldn't even pay for a friend to have ice cream. wow. What happened to teaching kindness and empathy?  |
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Post by Tamhugh on Sept 27, 2023 10:11:58 GMT
I can see I’m going to be in the minority here as far as understanding the system for buying extras at lunch. Nobody is being denied an actual lunch. They don’t even take cash at the register, so no kid is standing there with a dollar asking for ice cream. If you want to consider the full picture, here’s a local news article. www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/lebanon-school-apologizes-for-controversial-ice-cream-post/amp/ Backing out of this thread now. Enjoy your evening. This isn’t about the rest of us not understanding the system. We understand it just fine. We just think it’s cruel. That’s not stupidity or lack of understanding, it’s empathy and human decency. |
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Post by cecilia on Sept 27, 2023 10:40:24 GMT
I can see I’m going to be in the minority here as far as understanding the system for buying extras at lunch. Nobody is being denied an actual lunch. They don’t even take cash at the register, so no kid is standing there with a dollar asking for ice cream. If you want to consider the full picture, here’s a local news article. www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/lebanon-school-apologizes-for-controversial-ice-cream-post/amp/ Backing out of this thread now. Enjoy your evening. This isn’t about the rest of us not understanding the system. We understand it just fine. We just think it’s cruel. That’s not stupidity or lack of understanding, it’s empathy and human decency. This. This sounds like something my alma mater would do. I hated that school. They are more concerned about keeping up with the Joneses and building new buildings to host events than the actual kids. Wonder if this school district is the same |
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,032
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Post by artbabe on Sept 27, 2023 11:16:14 GMT
I can see I’m going to be in the minority here as far as understanding the system for buying extras at lunch. Nobody is being denied an actual lunch. They don’t even take cash at the register, so no kid is standing there with a dollar asking for ice cream. If you want to consider the full picture, here’s a local news article. www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/lebanon-school-apologizes-for-controversial-ice-cream-post/amp/ Backing out of this thread now. Enjoy your evening. I've taught for 30 years in 3 school districts and I buy lunch from the cafeteria everyday. I absolutely understand the system for buying extras at lunch and there are a lot of school employees on this site so it isn't that we don't understand. Buying extra chips with lunch is absolutely not the same as the thing that is going on in this particular circumstance. This is an assh*le policy that punishes and singles out kids for their parents financial problems. The fact that another kid can't buy their friend an ice cream is also really cruel. Your lack of empathy is very off-putting. |
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,726
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Post by purplebee on Sept 27, 2023 11:24:54 GMT
So, if my family has a bill that I don’t pay… Can I continue to use the service? I’m not seeing the difference. I agree with you that it isn’t the kid’s fault. There is ample opportunity to apply for free/reduced lunch if the bill truly can’t be paid. I can see why you might say this, but I think there’s a larger issue at play here. The adults are responsible for keeping the account up-to-date and funded but it’s the child that is being denied the ice cream. Maybe the child is using their allowance, grandma gave them a dollar, or mom had an extra dollar that week because that child has been really good and decided that they were going to reward the child. This is why school lunches need to be federally funded. We think that we’re teaching the adults how to handle their money and take care of priorities, but it’s the children that suffer when the adults either can’t pay or make poor decisions and don’t pay. It’s just one more thing to take out of the equation so that one child doesn’t lord it over another child. This. I am in my 24th year as a lunch lady in a rural district. All school lunches and breakfasts should be free to every child in America. I believe I read yesterday that John Fetterman has introduced a bill to achieve this very thing. |
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Post by Merge on Sept 27, 2023 12:29:37 GMT
I'd be tempted to show up at school at the end of the day with a cooler full of ice cream and hand one out to every kid who didn't get one at lunch. Fuckers.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 27, 2023 12:35:55 GMT
I'd be tempted to show up at school at the end of the day with a cooler full of ice cream and hand one out to every kid who didn't get one at lunch. Fuckers. That’s what I was thinking too. |
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Post by freecharlie on Sept 27, 2023 12:38:18 GMT
I can see I’m going to be in the minority here as far as understanding the system for buying extras at lunch. Nobody is being denied an actual lunch. They don’t even take cash at the register, so no kid is standing there with a dollar asking for ice cream. If you want to consider the full picture, here’s a local news article. www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/lebanon-school-apologizes-for-controversial-ice-cream-post/amp/ Backing out of this thread now. Enjoy your evening. I've taught for 30 years in 3 school districts and I buy lunch from the cafeteria everyday. I absolutely understand the system for buying extras at lunch and there are a lot of school employees on this site so it isn't that we don't understand. Buying extra chips with lunch is absolutely not the same as the thing that is going on in this particular circumstance. This is an assh*le policy that punishes and singles out kids for their parents financial problems. The fact that another kid can't buy their friend an ice cream is also really cruel. Your lack of empathy is very off-putting. 100% |
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Post by ihaveonly1l on Sept 27, 2023 12:56:27 GMT
This teacher would have bought a gallon of ice cream and our class would have "mysteriously" earned a treat day.
I would have said something at the staff meeting and to school and district admin. Using food to highlight the financial challenges of a child (who doesn't even have anything to do with the situation) is mean. School already naturally gives multiple opportunities for students to figure out who is a "have" and who is a "have not" that we don't need something as simple as ice cream adding to it.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Sept 27, 2023 13:05:30 GMT
Just take a look at the proposed budget cuts and witness the huge lack of humanity and empathy. There is none!!
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Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,973
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Post by Sarah*H on Sept 27, 2023 13:08:19 GMT
I can see I’m going to be in the minority here as far as understanding the system for buying extras at lunch. Nobody is being denied an actual lunch. They don’t even take cash at the register, so no kid is standing there with a dollar asking for ice cream. If you want to consider the full picture, here’s a local news article. www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/lebanon-school-apologizes-for-controversial-ice-cream-post/amp/ Backing out of this thread now. Enjoy your evening. I know you said you've bowed out of this conversation but I'm genuinely curious if you think there is any situation not appropriately managed by the free market? I'm intrigued by free market absolutists. It's certainly a very modern Dickensian take on the subject of child poverty! |
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