marguerite_26 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
marguerite_26) wrote2011-01-17 04:07 pm
marguerite_26) wrote2011-01-17 04:07 pm
School Safe Soy Butter -- why no love?
I just had the most bizarre conversation with the principal of my childrens' school.
As many of you know, we’ve been struggling with my youngest's eating issues since he was about 6 months old. After years of professional help, things are much improved but it’s a constant struggle.
Like most schools here, our school is nut-free/peanut-free – I have no issues with that, and not looking to debate that decision. We accepted that even though peanut butter was one of Littlest's staples, once he began school we’d need to find alternatives. Throughout last summer we very slowly introduced new foods to him and transitioned him onto several food that while not as nutritious as peanut butter, they were 1) stuff he was willing to eat and 2) appropriate to bring to school.
Then some brilliant soul pointed us to School Safe Soy Butter. This stuff is amazing. The tastes isn’t exactly right, but it smells like peanut butter and looks like peanut butter and is comparable nutrition-wise. But most importantly the kids will eat it as if it were peanut butter.
We transitioned him (slowly) back into eating ‘peanut butter’ for lunches. We included a note with every lunch, explaining what the product was.
Now! I just got a call from the principal saying that “as this soy product is getting more popular, all school boards across Ontario are recommending that parents stop sending their children to school with it.” Apparently, there is confusion around this product and children are going home and telling their parents that other kids are taking peanut butter to school. The parents then say ‘great!’ and send their kids to school with REAL peanut butter. To avoid all this they have decided to discourage the use of any soy butter at school.
So I say: “That is ridiculous. Your issue is communication and education. The product is a godsend for parents.”
To which he says, “We know you have a ‘special situation’ –“
“No. This has nothing to do with my ‘situation’ – this has to do with the fact that you have an excellent solution to a significant problem that many parents face, and instead of embracing it, you are banning it. And by ‘you’ mean the school board, of course. I don’t shoot the messenger.” (because I don't).
So then I asked for the email address of every person involved in this decision making. LOL.
*off to type up emails*
I usually only post stuff like this under flock, but as this is all about education and communication, I figured I would practice what I preach.
Am crazy behind on comments, apologies ahead of time.
As many of you know, we’ve been struggling with my youngest's eating issues since he was about 6 months old. After years of professional help, things are much improved but it’s a constant struggle.
Like most schools here, our school is nut-free/peanut-free – I have no issues with that, and not looking to debate that decision. We accepted that even though peanut butter was one of Littlest's staples, once he began school we’d need to find alternatives. Throughout last summer we very slowly introduced new foods to him and transitioned him onto several food that while not as nutritious as peanut butter, they were 1) stuff he was willing to eat and 2) appropriate to bring to school.
Then some brilliant soul pointed us to School Safe Soy Butter. This stuff is amazing. The tastes isn’t exactly right, but it smells like peanut butter and looks like peanut butter and is comparable nutrition-wise. But most importantly the kids will eat it as if it were peanut butter.
We transitioned him (slowly) back into eating ‘peanut butter’ for lunches. We included a note with every lunch, explaining what the product was.
Now! I just got a call from the principal saying that “as this soy product is getting more popular, all school boards across Ontario are recommending that parents stop sending their children to school with it.” Apparently, there is confusion around this product and children are going home and telling their parents that other kids are taking peanut butter to school. The parents then say ‘great!’ and send their kids to school with REAL peanut butter. To avoid all this they have decided to discourage the use of any soy butter at school.
So I say: “That is ridiculous. Your issue is communication and education. The product is a godsend for parents.”
To which he says, “We know you have a ‘special situation’ –“
“No. This has nothing to do with my ‘situation’ – this has to do with the fact that you have an excellent solution to a significant problem that many parents face, and instead of embracing it, you are banning it. And by ‘you’ mean the school board, of course. I don’t shoot the messenger.” (because I don't).
So then I asked for the email address of every person involved in this decision making. LOL.
*off to type up emails*
I usually only post stuff like this under flock, but as this is all about education and communication, I figured I would practice what I preach.
Am crazy behind on comments, apologies ahead of time.
no subject
In any case, that's not even the point here, is it?? Does your school have something against sending out emails and newsletters?? Ours certainly doesn't. They send notices for all kinds of stuff to us all the time! Reminders of this and that policy, updates on whooping cough and chicken pox, dates to remember, and so on. Couldn't they just put out a notice like: "Attention all parents: Have you heard of this great new product..........and remember it's still against school policy to bring REAL peanut butter to school!" Gheesh! How hard can it be??
You go get 'em!