GRRRR Beefy Snacks in afterschool program
So my son has to go to the school run after care program 2 days per week while I am teaching at another school. I send his own snack, because they usually feed them junk. NO problem.
His leader keeps giving him crap when I pick him up...oh, here's a cookie, here's a lollipop, etc.....I have let him have some of it because its too late by the time its in his hand and I don't want to make a big deal.
Well, I talked to her when he wasn't around about not doing this because we are vegan (although I didn't use the word vegan) and she was like, "oh, you are like me, vegetarian!" I can't believe that she is, but anyway, long story short, today she sends him with some gummy "teeth" candy....I read the ingredients, and the second one was "gelatin (beef)" . RIGHT ON THE LABEL! I walked across the playground like the badass mom that I am, and showed her and she was somewhat apologetic, but WTF! I already told her NOT to give him any junk food, let alone ones with animal products!
She also has it in her head that he is allergic to nuts for some reason. ::)
THEN another girl came up who overheard us and said, "Can I have it?" so the teacher gave it to her right in front of my son. Anyway, I was VERY proud of my 6 year old for NOT crying about this.....I think I would have cried if I were him! :-\ The teeth were really cool! We just walked off and I gave him a treat when we got home and he was fine.
There are times when I let minor things go when were not at home ( I am afraid of turning him off completely to vegetarianism if I am TOO strict) but this wasn't one of those times.
I just needed to vent!!! >:(
WOW! I can't believe someone would do that to your son. If I were you I would find a vegan babysitter. (IM FREE LOL) TO me that would be going up against my belief like ummm... maybe comparison to religion?
I can't believe that...maybe you can say he is allergic to not vegan stuff ::)
I would like to add that in art class today, they had to draw farm animals and his teacher was asking the kids "what kind of meat do we get from _______?" That was her way of teaching them about animals....how we eat them! I won't even tell you that she is hundreds of pounds overweight, is constantly sick, and has had tons of surgeries.
He did say he hated it at least, and he drew a horse (at least we don't eat THOSE here in the states, do we?). Next week he is going to turn his into an animal sanctuary.
My avatar is one of his drawings.
So my son has to go to the school run after care program 2 days per week while I am teaching at another school. I send his own snack, because they usually feed them junk. NO problem.
His leader keeps giving him crap when I pick him up...oh, here's a cookie, here's a lollipop, etc.....I have let him have some of it because its too late by the time its in his hand and I don't want to make a big deal.
Well, I talked to her when he wasn't around about not doing this because we are vegan (although I didn't use the word vegan) and she was like, "oh, you are like me, vegetarian!" I can't believe that she is, but anyway, long story short, today she sends him with some gummy "teeth" candy....I read the ingredients, and the second one was "gelatin (beef)" . RIGHT ON THE LABEL! I walked across the playground like the badass mom that I am, and showed her and she was somewhat apologetic, but WTF! I already told her NOT to give him any junk food, let alone ones with animal products!
She also has it in her head that he is allergic to nuts for some reason. ::)
THEN another girl came up who overheard us and said, "Can I have it?" so the teacher gave it to her right in front of my son. Anyway, I was VERY proud of my 6 year old for NOT crying about this.....I think I would have cried if I were him! :-\ The teeth were really cool! We just walked off and I gave him a treat when we got home and he was fine.
There are times when I let minor things go when were not at home ( I am afraid of turning him off completely to vegetarianism if I am TOO strict) but this wasn't one of those times.
I just needed to vent!!! >:(
WOW as well...... :(
I think you need to explain to the teacher the difference between your own concept of being vegan.....(and what you wish for your son).......compared to her own beliefs (with regards to her being vegetarian).....
I know you have mentioned before that you will try to raise him vegan and let him make up his own mind when he is older.....a very "wise decision".....
I'm not sure what more you can do....... :-\
I would like to add that in art class today, they had to draw farm animals and his teacher was asking the kids "what kind of meat do we get from _______?" That was her way of teaching them about animals....how we eat them!
That reminds me of when our youngest was being evaluated by a psychologist to see if she was ADD/ADHD. He gave her some tests, talked with her, etc., then spoke with us with concern in his voice because "she didn't know what kind of animal bacon comes from." We got a kick out of that. We were "right proud." She'd never had bacon; we'd never discussed bacon. Ha! ;D
I would like to add that in art class today, they had to draw farm animals and his teacher was asking the kids "what kind of meat do we get from _______?" That was her way of teaching them about animals....how we eat them!
That reminds me of when our youngest was being evaluated by a psychologist to see if she was ADD/ADHD. He gave her some tests, talked with her, etc., then spoke with us with concern in his voice because "she didn't know what kind of animal bacon comes from." We got a kick out of that. We were "right proud." She'd never had bacon; we'd never discussed bacon. Ha! ;D
;D That is definitely something to be proud of, bookmama! And that's really cute.
In regards to you, little2ant, that is very frustrating. I often think about facing things like this if I have children (because I would definitely want to raise them vegan)... I think you're doing all that you can. And I agree that disrespecting this lifestyle decision of yours is comparable to disregarding someone's dietary choices because of religion. It doesn't matter why you do it--it's that you do it, and it's something that needs to be respected & followed by those who you trust to take care of your son. :-\ I know you don't want to make a big fuss, but is there someone else at the after-school problem who you could talk to about this stuff? Even if kids aren't veg*n, it's gross that the leader is teaching them about animals in this manner. "What kind of meat do we get from this animal"?!?!?! :o I'd think that even meat-eaters should learn about animals as living beings as not "what our meat used to be." It's just irresponsible.
Are you guys noticing that the education is not only churning out dumber kids (though not any of your children, of course -- home learning ftw -- I'm just making a generalization), and has frighteningly dumb teachers? My dad's theory is that once women were allowed into the work force, and had options beyond being a teacher or a nurse or a wife, it meant that the majority of teaching positions were left to less than intelligent people. It may well be true, though neither he nor I are by any means suggesting that women should be restricted to those career paths anymore.
Maybe it's time we started focusing on making careers in education more appealing?
what a dumb teacher.
that's just un called for.
ugh. people. >:(
it meant that the majority of teaching positions were left to less than intelligent people.
I know that it was your father that said it, but I wish you wouldn't repeat it. I honestly think that, unless you have some statistics that say teachers less intelligent now, it is absolutely not true. It is personally offense because my own mother taught in the public school system since the early 70s. She did her best to accommodate families different religious/cultural beliefs. She was not the exception. One bad experience doesn't mean all educators are like that.
the issue-- i think -- is that the standards have changed some. underfunding and "teach to test" really seem to have changed the classroom enviroment. shorter times for PE, creative outlets (art, music) that help with intellectual development. teachers are almost forced to just "funnel the kids though" and aim for high enough test scores so that the darn school gets $$$. it's sad because you can't teach children that way.
teaching is HIGHLY undervalued in american society (why the $*&% do kids have to bring in ALL SORTS of basic classroom supplies (tissues, craft paper)... wait, it is because the gov'ment here would rather blow stuff up). as a teacher at the university level, i get students who can't write sentences. can't use basic words correctly. a friend of mine taught at a local school with a "known" education program and many of those students (private school) couldn't write. and they are going on to teach? it's a viscous cycle. but part is also, i think, that we tend to romanticize the past. i know a lot of teachers who really care, but when one doesn't get the best educational chances from day one it really trickles down.
i started schooling in germany and remember clearly the difference in my expirance when i came to the states. i had been learning reading, numbers and here it was all play.... it seems like we should start a lot of things earlier so it can be more spread out. then again, it might be regional so i don't know how much my life holds up with other's experiances. all i know is that when i have students who are all "i'm premed" and whatnot but can't pass a basic course i teach it really worries me about how they get these ideas into their head... if you can't read and pass my class, how the heck are you gonna get into med school?
i definitely agree about the test scores (no child left behind, anyone?), but i don't think we start anything too late. if anything too early. i am a big believer that kids should go at their own pace and learn what they are interested in. i was personally home schooled and am so thankful for that now. i think i would have hated the traditional schooling system, being that it is all about producing the same things at the same times from very different minds. who knows, though, maybe i would have turned out to be just another of those people caught up in the activities of the masses :-\.
I didn't mean to offend anyone; there absolutely are some fantastic, brilliant teachers. They're also usually getting the short end of the stick, which isn't fair, and is hurting our kids. It's not easy teaching children these days, but it's a lot harder when you're pretty much on your own, with an education system that will not stand by you. My experience with education was woeful. A lot of the problem too, as it's been mentioned is administration. It's very difficult for even good teachers to teach well when the school board (normally staffed, at least in the various districts I've lived and worked in, by corrupt citizens and parents), is dictating what needs to be on the lesson plan, and what can't be on the lesson plan.
I've had a fair share of excellent teachers (albeit in a very rich school district) in the public education system who were so frustrated by how things worked. They couldn't teach us what they wanted to teach, and what we wanted to learn, because they had a different curriculum to follow.
Going to college and seeing people in the education school, it's really scary to see a lot of people say, "well, math is hard, so I'm going to teach kindergarten." Have the standards changed to let people who can't even do basic math functions teach in public schools? Or have they always been that way? It gives me fears.
The standards for becoming a teacher have been lowered to help with the teacher shortage. In some states, if you have a 4 year degree, all you have to do is take (and pass) and teaching test and you can teach. I have my degree in art education and taught art for 10 years. I recently took the K-6 exam in 2 states and passed, which means now I can teach any subject K-6. I have no experience or schooling behind me, but I passed, so now I can teach! I don't think that makes me qualified....but the state does! I did it more for a resume builder than anything. Both tests in both states were embarrassingly easy.
On a side note, I am not teaching regular ed, but art again part time (which I am highly qualified to do).
Oh, and the standards for students have been raised, which makes the gap even worse.....unqualified teachers trying to raise the bar. Of course I do not think all teachers are bad and unqualified, but they are making it easier for anyone to get into the field.
Oh, and the standards for students have been raised, which makes the gap even worse.....unqualified teachers trying to raise the bar. Of course I do not think all teachers are bad and unqualified, but they are making it easier for anyone to get into the field.
Yes, exactly! I was an elementary education major for one year (but volunteered a lot at schools outside of this one year), and it was embarrassing to see how some of the teachers behaved & taught... A lot of them treated it like glorified babysitting. And don't get me wrong--teaching is one of the MOST important professions out there. Some of my childhood heroes were teachers I had had. When they're good, they're great. But when they're bad, it's dangerous. And it does make it hard to get qualified people into the profession because it is so under-appreciated. When compared to all the work involved, it usually pays fairly poorly (not that money is everything, but I think that plays into the decision-making process when choosing a career). Plus, I have talked to NUMEROUS teachers who say that teaching isn't very fun anymore, and there is no room for personal ideas or creativity when teaching because of all the standardized testing.
Personally, one big reason that I changed my major is because generally, class-sizes have become way too large. I student taught in a first grade classroom with 38 kids in the class! :o One teacher to 38 students?! There is no way that each kid is getting the individual attention they need, and I bet a lot of learning disorders are not being noticed. Even different ways of learning... Surely these can't all be nurtured when the teacher spends half the class time just trying to get the students to sit down & listen.
i definitely agree about the test scores (no child left behind, anyone?)
And >:( is all I have to say about "No Child Left Behind."
This is totally true. I teach music in an elementary school. The teachers teach to the test because the principal says they have to. When the kids come to my class (once a week), they have absolutely NO imagination. They can only spit back what I've already told them. Basically, they are learning to fill in bubbles on a test, not learning to think.
Another reason people don't go into teaching or leave teaching, is the parents. An increasing number of students in my school are becoming behavioral problems. When I call or conference with the parents, they blame me!!! They won't punish the child if I send a note home, and then defend the child in a conference. It's very frustrating..."you won't discipline your child, you blame me when he/she becomes a behavior problem, then you get angry because I discplined your child." Someone has to do it!!!
So, back to the original topic, I guess you just have to stress to the after school care giver that your child can not have any candy from school. Maybe discuss this with your son, send him with a snack (i think you said you do this), and let him know of all the healthy (ier) treats he can have when he comes home.
I know I bang this drum a lot, but have any of you read Food Politics by Marion Nestle? Among other things, it's a great expose of how food regulation and nutritional guidelines are derived... and, hint hint, it's not from unbiased biomedical research!!
Teachers are taught based on those guidelines, issued from the heart of the beef and dairy industries. And by the way, having gone to school with future teachers, I can tell you that their maturity and quality of mind vary from person to person; I avoided having kids for 10 years after meeting some "party-hearty," braindead education students about to graduate. Honest, it was the last straw and deciding factor!
I've had some thoroughly magnificent teachers. I have also had some stupid, venial, mean, childish, and criminal ones. Their level of consideration doesn't always fit on the same continuum, if you know what I mean... sometimes the brilliant ones are jerks, and sometimes the brilliant ones are treasured mentors. <shrug>
I wonder whose child is REALLY allergic to nuts, and has been confused with your son?
The best suggestion I have is to get familiar with the teacher, what she is teaching and telling your child. Get to know her better. Take her to coffee sometime and discuss your preferences for your child's diet... calmly, quietly, where you are the provider.
Sounds like this woman is just a major flake. I would think that as a vegetarian, she would at least know the differences between the diets. Even my meat eating family members know them! And wouldn't a vegetarian not eat gelatin anyways????Hello!!!!
The worst part is just the blatant disrespect to your parenting style. That is the major problem here. She probably isn't doing it on purpose, but she just is not listening to you. It is a constant challenge we go through as parents that do not do things in a conventional manner. Good luck with this and know that you aren't overreacting. You've really kept your cool in my opinion.
I know I bang this drum a lot, but have any of you read Food Politics by Marion Nestle? Among other things, it's a great expose of how food regulation and nutritional guidelines are derived... and, hint hint, it's not from unbiased biomedical research!!
That is on my Wish List on Amazon right now! It makes me sick to think of how our nutritional guidelines are set with (pardon me) f***ing money & profit at the bottom of it. We should be able to trust that the people who tell us what is healthy truly have our best interests at heart. Sure, there are people like us that go above & beyond to learn it ourselves & make sure we're eating healthily, but why shouldn't we be able to believe that what the government tells us is good for us actually, um...is?!
I wonder whose child is REALLY allergic to nuts, and has been confused with your son?
No kidding! Scary! >:(
The best suggestion I have is to get familiar with the teacher, what she is teaching and telling your child. Get to know her better. Take her to coffee sometime and discuss your preferences for your child's diet... calmly, quietly, where you are the provider.
That is a great idea!! :) I think the teacher would be really receptive & willing to learn more about you/your family/your choices in a situation like this... I'd hope so, at least.
Thanks guys for all the support. I really can't imagine asking this woman out to coffee, but who knows, it may help. I think I will just tell her to give him nothing at all (unless its a toy or something).
The after school leader is not the one talking about which animals give us which meat-that was the art teacher! Poor kids-this all happened in one day.
The art teacher is actually a sort of friend of mine, and I'm not sure she knows we are vegan. Its just not the kind of thing we talk about (we mostly talk because we are both art teachers).
Given a choice, I think I would rather him have Dave Warwack as a teacher!
(see below)
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=18645.0
AND I think I'm going to get that book.....I need a good food read right now.
Not that my daycare gives out candies when the kids go home, but I keep a sleeve of digestive cookies in the center console of my car. When I pick up the boys at 5:30 their blood sugar is a bit low and they are cranky and uncooperative until I can get dinner on the table an hour later. I find if I give them a cookie in the car on the way home we can get to dinner without the drama. Maybe this would be a good way for you and your son to politely decline the junk when there's an equally yummy treat already waiting for him. (plus its handy if you get stuck in traffic somewhere)
K^2