School administrations allow things that contribute to the problems they hate

[Anonymous]

I love teachers and come from a family with lots of them. I was one for a while too. Had good admins when I was a teacher and have relatives who are admins. I am not anti school, but it's the hypocrisy that scares me and it's widespread, though I do think the tide is turning and some schools or at least individual teachers have made positive changes.

I bet if you asked any school admin or teacher if they could wave a magic wand to decrease hyperactivity, inattention, cognitive deficits,etc in their students and improve their overall health they would do it gladly. Yet, there are processed foods galore in cafeterias and class parties which can contain heavy metals (e.g. High fructose corn syrup has mercury) and other toxins that negatively impact our kids. Now they can't necessarily control what the cafeteria serves, but they have some control over the flow of party food and 100s day sugar laden store bought treats and the pounds and pounds of candy and treats that go around in Halloween celebrations and so forth. Heck whatever happened to the regular size cupcakes we ate back in the day. Now everything is supersized with enough sugar to make a sedate grown up hyper. Sugar is everywhere, everyday practically and lots of it. No I'm not head of the sugar gestapo, but it's the amount of sugar which leads to inflammation and decrease immunity to even common illnesses and increases hyperactivity. Over half the teachers my children have had not only give out sugary treats as rewards, etc, but they give them prizes that are made in China land of cadmium and lead filled toys. Playground equipment sometimes has lead not to mention the various other things with lead which they may not have control over. Our school once had an end of the year party where kids where among other things encouraged to get face pain...lead laden face paint. (Read about face paint and lead and you might not think I am a crazed lunatic). Then there are the trailers and who knows what our kids are exposed to in those though that has little to do with the admin. If a school is overcrowded they can't just order the county officials to add an extension to the building.

So go ahead and shoot me down and troll at me. I know some of what I mention goes above what teachers and admins can do, but some doesn't. It just makes me so frustrated that school folks are forever talking about the rise in every problem under the sun, yet they don't take precautions to at least not be part of the problem. If they stop giving out copius amounts of sugar, lead toys, processed foods, etc do I think all these issues would go away...of course not, but they would be contributing something to the solution. I'm not saying no sugar, I'm saying less, much less sugar. I am saying no little toys from China. I am saying get the school parties under control and enough with face painting for parties or school plays. I am also saying stop complaining about all the hyper inattentive kids who are sick all the time unless you have done your part to not expose them to toxins that contribute to this.

OK...go for it...shoot me down....call me names or what have you...I posted here because there is more traffic and I want to spark discussion because this is something that I find so hypocritical.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you do want to "spark discussion". I think you want to rant about some stuff you read on the internet. Here's a tip: "discussions" are usually sparked by someone asking a question. Try that.

[Anonymous]

Another sugar nazi? *Yawn* Heard it all before. Calm the bleep down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another sugar nazi? *Yawn* Heard it all before. Calm the bleep down.

My sentiments exactly.

[Anonymous]

I'm an educator, and I rarely say this but . . . I'm glad you're out of teaching, and I'm NOT surprised.

[Anonymous]

Where in the world do you think schools are a candy and face painting festival?

By your description, you'd think that's all we do - distribute M&Ms and hand them face paint as they enter the door.

And if you love teachers and come from a family of teachers, which scares me, why did you leave????