Mrs. Obama Would Veto!
Before the recession came about, schools had some time to focus on things that didn’t involve money (or test scores). The nutritional value of school lunches was put in the spotlight. So was the idea of on-campus vending machines with soda and junk food. Now several years after the “food revolution,” we see kids walking around campus with salads, baked (not fried) potato chips and other healthier snacks. Nobody would argue that these changes weren’t in kids’ best interests. Now, as we see schools trying anything (corporate advertising on campus, etc.) to raise funds, a moral dilemma has begun. See where this is going?
World’s Finest Chocolate candy bar sales (along with See’s Candy and others) have been a tried and true school fundraiser for about as long as we’ve had textbooks. The thousands of dollars that these sales can generate, especially if done school-wide on a large campus, is astounding. A typical box produces $25 profit. My leadership class (30 kids) makes thousands of dollars per year, which helps defray the cost of our annual trip to Washington, D.C.
When our school decided it was in such bad need of funds that they announced a school-wide event with a goal of earning close to$70,000, something interesting happened: many teachers objected–stating the obesity epidemic, and the hypocrisy. Several teachers refused to give out the fliers, objecting to doing such a thing when we’ve banned soda and chips, and in times where our science/health classes focus more and more on proper diet. I’ve heard the whispers of “we’re using the kids.” Surprisingly, I haven’t heard of any parent complaints…yet. I suspect there will be. Of course, students are not obligated to sell a box (or two or three), but prizes are given to top sellers.
Surely, opinions (from teachers, students, parents, school boards, etc.) about this will vary. I’m not sure what President Obama would say about candy (after all, he took the Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, for a greasy burger and fries in D.C.), but I suspect the First Lady, who is actively trying to fight childhood obesity, would put down the veto stamp.
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Mr. Franklin has been teaching for the Los Angeles Unified School District for eleven years. He has won District and County Teacher of the Year awards, as well as the prestigious Bank of America Community Hero award. Before teaching, he spent five years at Learning Forum, which runs summer camps world-wide that increase student academic potential.
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- “Public School Choice” Reform
- Los Angeles Public School Choice: Part III
- What, Exactly, Is A Charter School?
Tags: fundraising ideas, Michele Obama, nutrition, school lunches
The new Healthy, Hunger Free Kids act does limit the number of junk food fundraisers that schools can have, believing those fundraisers undermine the program.
Unfortunately, it is a catch 22. The Feds are only covering about half of the extra cost of the healthier lunches (estimated extra cost is 12 cents per meal and feds are paying 6 cents) and are making schools cut their biggest fundraisers that could help subsidize the extra lunch cost. So, we’ll see how long the program lasts in its current form.
I may need to re-visit this topic, too. I’ll admit, as much as I can rail about these things, I’m always sure to buy some school fundraiser cookie dough!
I think the real key is both balancing those fundraisers with other fundraisers that promote well-being, and more importantly, reinstating the public funds that our schools need.
Do schools still have the Jump Rope for Heart programs and such? I remember as a child in grade school we had these programs.
How do u feel about candy sales fundraisers?New Post:Candy/Chocolate Sale Fundraisers at School:Mrs. Obama Would Veto! http://bit.ly/fF0RqX
The answer of an eprext. Good to hear from you.
Candy/Chocolate Sale Fundraisers at School: Mrs. Obama Would Veto! http://bit.ly/fF0RqX
It does seem a bit hypocritical. What it appears to come down to however is choosing the money and what that money can do for the students over ‘practicing what you preach’ and reinforcing the values that you are attempting to teach them. There are plenty of alternatives to selling chocolate or cookie dough that can also raise plenty of money.