We, the parents of children at Luther C. Klager Elementary, and concerned community members, request that the administration change the policy forcing children to wear coats and full winter gear to lunch. This policy results in children that are overheated, uncomfortable and overly burdened by extraneous clothing while eating their lunches. All while dealing with shortened lunch time to begin with and resulting in additional rushing and no socialization while they eat.

 

On the morning of Friday, October 25th, I visited my 1st grade daughter for lunch.  I was surprised and concerned when I found my daughter and her classmates standing in line to get their lunches while wearing her coat. In fact, I looked around and all the children were wearing their coats.  She was clearly overheated and uncomfortable.  Furthermore, while in line for food, the coat that she had tied around her waist fell to the floor and she tripped on it.  Her food fell off of her tray and unto the floor.  By the time she sat down, she had less than 10 minutes to finish her lunch.  I now understand why she comes home most days with a stomach ache and with a half eaten lunch.

 

As a parent concerned about this situation, I contacted school administration.  My concerns were noted, but summarily dismissed with no plan on the part of the administration to investigate alternatives to the current and unfortunate practices.  

 

After speaking with the principal on October 25th, I began having dialogue with parents in the community. It was then that I realized that none of them were even aware of this practice and every single one of them disapproved of it.

 

State and federal requirements mandate the children receive 20 minutes of "seated lunch time". This time should not include transitioning from recess to lunch.  Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests:

• students need time to eat adequate amounts of food to meet their nutritional needs, which is essential for optimal student health and academic performance. Children will enjoy their food more and may try more healthy options if they can relax, eat, and socialize without feeling rushed.  

• Students should be allowed at least 20 minutes of actual eating time for lunch and 10 minutes for breakfast. Actual eating time begins at the time they are seated with their meals.

 

Additionally, the National Institute of Health states there are many activities that can raise your body temperature. Being active, eating, wearing heavy clothing, among others. The 1st and 4th graders at Luther C. Klager Elementary School are sent outside to be active while appropriately wearing winter coats and gear. Then they are sent to eat lunch, while continuing to wear heavy clothing, and their body temperature is likely to continue to rise more while eating. By the end of lunch they are now over heated, possibly sweating and likely still hungry, at least my daughter certainly was on the day I visited her at school.

 

Possible Solutions:

1) Shorten recess by 3-5 minutes to allow time for children to go to their lockers.

2) Lengthen the school day by 5 minutes

3) Possibly swap other open/down time during the day to allow for a locker stop

 

The current practice is unacceptable, therefore we as parents and a community should not accept it!  Please share your concern and suggestions for improvement with administration.  But please start by signing this petition to send a message to school officials that we stand behind and for our children and want this practice to change immediately.

 

Thank you,

 

Lori Preis

Concerned Parent