Have Some Schools Lost Their Minds?

First there was the story of the self-proclaimed 'Lunch Police' in North Carolina.  If you missed it, it was reported a cafeteria worker though this was not a 'healthy' lunch:
-Turkey and cheese sandwich
-Banana
-Potato chips
-Apple Juice

And so the child ate the school lunch, consisting of
-Chicken nuggets
-French fries
-Vegetable/fruit
-Milk

HUH?

And now the school is back-pedaling, saying the child 'misunderstood; we wanted her to have milk.'

Not sure if this is true or not, but I've also heard the school now wants the mother to PAY for the lunch her child ate.  NO WAY!

I'll agree; if the kid came to school with a handful of cookies, some chips, and a soda in her lunch box, by all means; get the kid a nutritious meal.  But there is nothing wrong with the meal the child brought to school.

I used to take Spaghetti-O's in my thermos.  Mom made it boiling hot, and by the time lunch arrived, it had cooled enough so it wouldn't burn my tongue.  And when I did purchase a school lunch, I only ate what I liked.  And usually bought on Tuesday or Thursday, because that was when Chocolate milk was available.  I can't stand white milk, and am (was) a picky eater.  If you ask my spouse, he still can't understand how I survived childhood because I don't eat fish, beans, chili, or even canned veggies.  I also dislike fruit, unless it's in the form of an apple, banana, or grapes.

I digress.

The other jaw-dropping news item this morning was a HS in Ohio is now passing out Visa Gift Cards for students who show up for class.  Again, WHAT?  The teenager I happened to be taking to school said she'd attend regularly if our school did this.

I guess we know what motivates HER!  And no, this was not my daughter.

I agree with one caller; she said there was enough incentives in place:  Attendance awards; class parties; and other prizes.  I remember working hard to keep up with my class, because I didn't want to be seen as 'dumb'.

However, now I'm a mom and am watching my youngest closely, because of undiagnosed health issues.  He's making progress, but the big question is, will it be enough?   I might have to retain him this year, just for Math and Reading test scores.  I have a 3rd grade neighbor; I'm not sure my child would be able to do the work next year, unless the work he's doing right now suddenly improves in the next four months.  And if I DO have to retain him, I want him to have the same teacher.  She's been excellent with him!

Karaoke Thursday:
My partner has tonight off, so I skipped last night.  And the songs are not chiseled in stone; Darrell doesn't have the same list as Cheryl.  But if the following songs are available, I'll sing 'em tonight:
-Bye Bye Bye (N'Synch)
-Bye Bye Love (Everly Brothers)
-Beautiful Goodbye (Amanda Marshall)
-Beds Are Burning (Midnight Oil)
-Behind Closed Doors (Charlie Pride)