Be Informed!

The First Class Breakfast Program is being implemented in schools all over Houston. I am a very involved parent, but I have only one experience to share and one point of view. In an effort to share information and inform parents, I welcome comments and guest posts!


Forward this to all who might be interested. You need to be informed and aware of what is happening in your schools.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Day 5 - Gallons and Gallons of milk

Unopened milk from all 5 Kindergarten classes at Herod.  I don't know exactly how many children were served this morning, but the overall number of meals served is declining.  Only 14 kids in one classroom, the usual 8 in another.  This is not becuase parents are choosing to opt-out, but the kids are.  Perhaps the novelty and initial excitement of eating breakfast in the classroom is wearing off a bit, or maybe they really aren't hungry.  Teachers, and I'm sure the parents, are telling their kids that they don't have to take the food if they aren't hungry and want to eat.  

Even with fewer kids taking meals, there is still just as much waste.  I count 48 milks in that photo.  I wonder how much this number would change if juice were not also served with the breakfast.


3 comments:

  1. I am appalled by the waste that is involved with the First Class Breakfast program. Not only is this a waste of tax dollars, it actually undermines the science curriculum. The science TEKS for Kindergartners include the objective "learn how to use and conserve resources and materials" (K.1.B). By 3rd grade, the objective is a little more sophisticated: "make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials" (3.1.B).
    The most effective school districts have a laser-like focus on protecting instructional time and teaching the curriculum. I hate to see decisions made at the district level at HISD undermine the great work that schools are doing to educate children.
    Many of our children live in poverty, and it's important to make sure they get fed--but not at the cost of losing instructional time or being exposed to practices that undermine the learning objectives.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is absolutely disgusting and breaks my heart. HISD claims to be concerned about families who can't afford food and is then throwing away mountains of unopened food every day????

    And what kind of message is this sending the kids about waste, recycling, and conservation?

    Ugh.

    ReplyDelete
  3. First Class Breakfast works for many campuses, however, it may not be for all. Many children in poverty stricken areas may eat breakfast and lunch but go hungry to bed. This is a no cost program to all children in H.I.S.D. consider yourself fortunate to participate in the program. In some areas, more parents know what is on the menu, but don't the name of their childs teacher. Some schools have had the program for several schools and the children like it because there is not a stigma attached to eating breakfast, therefore, they eat. The menu does have some tasty items on it, however, there is a lot to be desired. I think they need to get rid of the animal crackers and poptart. Each menu it analyze according to standards that are the same from one state to another. Find out more information on squaremeals.com. H.I.S.D is on nutrient standard. If H.I.S.D changed from Nutrient Standard to Food Base, many of these issues would be addressed with the menu. Unfortunately, the items that are not consumed must be thrown away according to federal and state guideline. If H.I.S.D gets reimbursed for each meal served, how would it look if they served items that have been returned and collected a second reimbursement. Instructional time is effected for several reasons: 1) teachers are late getting to their classroom at the designated time. 2) Nobody passes out the cards and servers are not left idle at the door. 3) Classrooms are diverted to the restroom during serving times. 4) Sometimes it being short handed and bad service. Push H.I.S.D to utilize new facility to it's potential. I am fortunate to have my child eat for free because as a single parent, I would have to feed my baby at 6:00 a.m. in order to make it to work on time or pay for breakfast.

    ReplyDelete