Lunches seized from Utah schoolkids because of unpaid bills

[billisonboard]

Feb 10, 2014 12:57:59 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

Maybe it isn't a "big deal" to the kids. ...

I was referring only to the two kids I helped develop. We gave them a way to deal with having imperfect parents that was lighthearted.  I have no doubt that the kids who had parents who made a big deal out of this situation were seriously traumatized by it.  Living a dramatic life is typically taught by parental example.

[Green Eyed Lady]

I can't argue with you, bill, as I have no practical experience.   Perhaps all of this outrage is misplaced.  I think everyone who is offended by this is offended for the children - not the parents.  Maybe they shouldn't be. 

I don't think that forgetting something once in awhile makes a person an irresponsible parent anymore than I think a typo makes a person stupid.  I suppose it is how we are taught to roll with it.  Seems yours were taught well.  I'm probably worrying for nothing - as usual.

[billisonboard]

I come down in the middle on this one.  It is difficult to get the full picture from media stories.  We are talking about half way through a school year.  How delinquent are accounts?  How many notices have been sent?  If we are talking about accounts with nothing added since October, if we are talking a minimum of three notices sent, then I am good with what happened.  Less than that, I think the school over reacted.  It is always frustrating to me when dealing with government/private citizen issues that one side is free to speak and the other is limited by confidentiality. 

[grits]

A man who mentors at a school in Texas saw the story. He took it upon himself to find out how many kids accounts were in arrears, and paid them off. One little boy he mentored started crying. The boy had been too embarrassed to go to the cold sandwich line. He had been skipping lunch for who knows how long.

I still remember seeing kids tormented at school over things their parents had done. The kids were deeply wounded, and I wished I could have helped.

[billisonboard]

Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the National School Lunch Program. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced‐price meals, for which students can be charged no more than 40 cents. (For the period July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014, 130 percent of the poverty level is $30,615 for a family of four; 185 percent is $43,568.) www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/NSLPFactSheet.pdf

So are we talking $.40 a meal kids or kids who have parents making more money? At $.40 per day, half way through the school year means that they are owing about $36.00.

[grits]

It has to be for parents making more money. Why people don't keep up with their kids is beyond me. If I let that happen to my kid because of my own carelessness, I'd have to sneak off and shed a tear or two.

[workpublic]

I didn't see in the story where it mentioned poor/disadvantaged kids. maybe it's arrogance or a sense of entitlement on the parents part.

It was however very dramatic and sensational.

Many of the complaints accused officials of being bullies — an assessment shared by state senators who showed up at the school Thursday to insist that no Utah schoolkid should ever go hungry.
"To me this rises to the level of bullying," Republican Sen. Todd Weiler said. "Children were humiliated."

"I think it's an abuse of power," Weiler said.

Bullies -

"No child should go hungry" (for what two hours til they get home?)

the comments were even more ridiculous.

Peoples heads should roll for that decision. Fire them

.

WOW! I am wondering if they took lunches away from children with medical issues. They can get the balance of their children's school accounts online is ridiculous. If they can't afford to keep money in the child s account, more than likely they won't have internet or computers

[Lizard King]

"No child should go hungry" (for what two hours til they get home?)

Speaking of kids and hunger:

www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/at-hunger-games-camp-children-want-to-fight-to-the-death/2134621

[billisonboard]

Feb 21, 2014 16:38:21 GMT -5 Lizard King said:

"No child should go hungry" (for what two hours til they get home?)

Speaking of kids and hunger:

www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/at-hunger-games-camp-children-want-to-fight-to-the-death/2134621

This type of activity should clearly be reserved for MBA candidates.

[zibazinski]

Oh, do make sure our resident Florida hater sees this. He's been so ignored lately. Or she? Or whatever story it s this week.