Every day, after enduring hours of rigorous academic challenges, gluten-free students at Santa Teresa High School find themselves in an unjust food situation. Despite their hunger, a satisfactory meal is not within their reach as their dietary restrictions are not accommodated in the current school's meal plans. The absence of a gluten-free option fails to consider that these students are part of the school community and imposing an undue burden on them is, in a way, discriminatory. Their parents, like those of their fellow students, contribute their equal share of taxes and deserve to see their children being provided high-quality, suitable meals during school hours.

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, about 1 in 100 people worldwide have Celiac disease. This prevalence requires our educational institutions to be Celiac-friendly. Researchers from Columbia University found that gluten-free diets are essential for managing symptoms and complications in people with Celiac disease.

This petition aims to garner your support to transform the meal plan policy of Santa Teresa High School. We need the school to include at least one gluten-free option in its lunch menu to cater to gluten-free students who have every right to a nutritious, enjoyable, and safe meal at school. Kindly lend your voice to this fair cause and urge our school administration to consider this necessary change. Please sign the petition now and stand up for the rights and welfare of all students in our school.