Lunch

[Anonymous]

Yes, I see the GDS kids packing the Safeway next door getting all of those healthy lunches (mostly bagged chips/doritos and soda).

[Anonymous]

There's a great organic lunch delivery program all schools can use but the school has to first of all OK them to come in.

Our former school wouldn't let them in because they felt it would create a divide between the haves and have nots. So instead we pay up the whazoo for pizza and artificial orange drink to be delivered on Fridays 1 - 2x/month. And even that creates some concern.

I have heard that if you want these lunch programs to come in, you should let the school know - and quite frankly, your other parents.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to sound really old here, but when I was growing up (not that long ago), our school had sit-down lunches every day with freshly made dishes, breads, and desserts. Kids took turns serving their table - and on real china with cloth napkins. A teacher sat at every table and directed the mealtime conversation. Your seating assignment changed weekly so you got to know everyone in your division. This was also part of the education. Real life hit when I packed that first lunch bag....

[Anonymous]

'm going to sound really old here, but when I was growing up (not that long ago), our school had sit-down lunches every day with freshly made dishes, breads, and desserts. Kids took turns serving their table - and on real china with cloth napkins. A teacher sat at every table and directed the mealtime conversation.

My kids' private school has exactly this situation, but there is one problem. And for this reason, I wish we had the option to send a bag lunch in lieu of the hot lunch. The freshly made entrees and sides are not organic and are full of sodium and the occasional artificial colors. My kids understandably take a pass on the $$ sodium entree and eat 3 servings of rice / bread / pasta instead, and that bums me out.

[Anonymous]

Yes, GDS can get delivered lunches for first grade and up. I agree with parent above, I love packing my kid's lunch. She eats more fruits and veggies during the day and I'm not concerned about "making up" lost vitamins before and after school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a great organic lunch delivery program all schools can use but the school has to first of all OK them to come in.

Our former school wouldn't let them in because they felt it would create a divide between the haves and have nots. So instead we pay up the whazoo for pizza and artificial orange drink to be delivered on Fridays 1 - 2x/month. And even that creates some concern.

I have heard that if you want these lunch programs to come in, you should let the school know - and quite frankly, your other parents.

What is the name of the organic lunch delivery program? I have never heard of such a program.

[Anonymous]

It's http://www.healthelunchkids.com/.

Moms who love to pack their children's lunches: You do realize that your kids are trading their lunch items with other kids, right? Just because you pack it, doesn't mean they are eating it!

[Anonymous]

I'm keeping this thread in mind for when my boy is ready for private high school. He has a severe allergy and he can't eat cafeteria food. Do some kids pack a lunch anyway, even with the cafeteria option, or would my son be known as the freak (not that he probably won't be labeled as a freak anyway since he can't participate in the constant class pizza parties)?

So I'm thinking I should be grooming him for GDS. Wouldn't want him ostracized for packing a lunch at Potomac - may never get into Harvard/Williams / U of Virginia that way lol!

[Anonymous]

Moms who love to pack their children's lunches: You do realize that your kids are trading their lunch items with other kids, right? Just because you pack it, doesn't mean they are eating it!


Not in this day and age! The awareness of food allergies has definitely put the kibosh on this. Schools could get sued for letting food trading take place.

[Anonymous]

GDS parent again. I asked about lunch trading, and our teacher said it is not happening and that they would not allow it. While I like the control provided by packing my kids' lunches, I also understand that that does not work for some parents. Perhaps even a majority of parents. It was just a comment that not all aspects of packing lunches is negative, there is a positive benefit that some people enjoy. It is unfortunate that almost anything on DCUM can be met with a mean response. Your dislike of GDS may be based on reality or jealousy. Whatever the truth, why mess up a discussion on LUNCH with a random diatribe about what GDS students are buying at the Safeway. Lets assume for a moment that GDS is an awful school. Fine. We're talking about LUNCH on this thread.

[Anonymous]

PP - It happens all the time. Kids with allergies generally know what they can eat and/or whether they can trade. My children are at two large privates and it happens routinely at both schools.

[Anonymous]

2nd GDS parent here: The teachers do not allow food trading at all. They take this rule seriously and so do the kids. It's not like Lord of the Flies there...most of the time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP - It happens all the time. Kids with allergies generally know what they can eat and/or whether they can trade. My children are at two large privates and it happens routinely at both schools.

My DC says lunches are traded as well.

[Anonymous]

My child learned to love sushi - by trading with another kid. Trading can often be a good thing - gets kids to explore new food without parental pushing.