Topical Teaching

It is my opinion that schools not only have a right but a duty to look after the welfare of their students.  Schools are well within their rights to impose sanctions on what foods are allowed and not allowed to be included in the children’s lunch boxes.  Yes, there are those who believe that being in a free country should give parents the freedom to do as they please.  I agree with that theory in part.  I think parents should be able to feed their kids whatever they want – in their own home.  At school, there is nothing wrong with imposing restrictions on sugary foods.  On the contrary, it’s commendable.

I am writing this in defense of Clifton Park Primary School, who are embroiled in a “Lunchbox War” with some parents over such a ruling:

A LOCAL school’s decision to monitor the contents of their students’ lunchboxes has sparked heated debate within the Bunbury community.

In last week’s edition of the Bunbury Mail, the mother of a Clifton Park Primary School student was outraged to learn her five-year-old son’s lunchbox snacks were being confiscated due to their sugar content.

The Bunbury Mail office was flooded with letters and Facebook posts from residents voicing their opinion.

Joy Whysall’s letter said it was an example of the world gone crazy.

“What gives others the right to choose what we eat?” she said.

“This is a disgraceful state of affairs when a teacher can go into a child’s lunchbox and take out what they feel is unsuitable for the child.”

I am sorry to disappoint the irate parents of Bunbury, but when they send their kids to a school, they are getting a lot more than a child minding service.  We teachers not only educate your kids, but we care for them and about them.  We educators strive to give your kids a safe, positive learning environment in which they can thrive.  Instead of seeing this as a violation of privacy, see this as a show of care and dedication.

I hope this exhibition of anger does not intimidate other schools from following Clifton Park’s fine example.