When I was in high school, the student newspaper office had this machine that dispensed the tiny bottles of Coke that some of you might remember. Guzzling a few of those -- about three good gulps each -- got me through more than one day. Thank goodness the health police weren't around then:
Tens of millions of students will no longer be able to buy non-diet sodas in the nation's public schools under an agreement announced Wednesday between major beverage distributors and anti-obesity advocates.
The distributors, working with a joint initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association, also have agreed to sell only water, juice and low-fat milks to elementary and middle schools, said Jay Carson, a spokesman for former President Clinton.
On the other hand, a marketplace of illegal drugs wasn't available within spitting distance of homeroom back then, and we didn't even have MySpace to relieve the boredom. We had to take what we could get.
Comments
You're talking about what we called (in Philly)..."Pony Bottles" of Coke...about 8 ounces as I remember. And didn't they EVEN have a "rack" to place the EMPTIES? Talk about no trash and environmentally friendly places of learning.
Been there, done that...lol!
But I suppose that without the Kennedy incentive for physical fitness any longer in vogue, we're having way too many students *rolling* from class to class (when they manage to even come INTO school, that is)...
So maybe it's time this was addressed to some extent.
I will wager however, that the nearby CONVIENIENCE stores are reacting (to this) in a most "Pavlovian" way.
;)
B.G.
If you haven't noticed there is a little bit of a health problem in this country. Why should the public schools continue to promote unhealthy choices for children? As a parent you have the right to give your children soda, but the school has the same right to remove soda from their premises. Everyone knows drinking bottles and bottles of high fructose corn syrup is not healthy for children - what exactly is your problem with this?
Am I to assume you are for 1 out of every 3 children getting diabetes? I suspect your problem was that the Clinton Foundation was involved; still irking you guys eh? Better get that annual blood pressure screening...
Not a litttle bit...more like a SUPERSIZED health problem is what I see.
Never had any type of overweight problem, either...in over 50 years!
I still have my share of soft drinks AS WELL as my share of healthy drinks (coffee aside...lol).
And *we* never had the obesity issues that pervade our schools TODAY...must have been ALL those GYM classes and recreationally ACTIVE playtime we all enjoyed, as opposed to the video games, television, and hanging on the cellphones to hours on end.
Maybe even carrying all our BOOKS to and from classes (and HOME as well) had something to do with the entire process. Don't see that being done now....kids come home every day...NO books...hmm. No homework? Cool!
And "fast food" to US was more a NOVELTY (or even a reward) than a required daily ritual...maybe because a LOT more moms (then) KNEW how to COOK....'ya think?
B.G.
Bob,
Agreed. Kids are not as active as they once were due to video games, television, internet, cell phones, etc. This is EXACTLY why schools are correct to remove these products from the hallway. If parents want to abdicate their responsibility by shoveling processed foods and gallons of soda into their children, then I suppose that is their choice and no one will stop them.
The schools cannot control what children do/ingest outside of school, but while they are there they have the responsibility to not make the problem worse. The next step should be to clean up the horrid school lunches being served throughout the country. Perhaps if the schools taught nutrition from an early age then the country could begin to turn it's unhealthy situation around...
I agree that schools are absolutely not free zones and aren't supposed to be. Too many folks nowadays erroniously assume that all the usual freedoms must apply there just as on the street or at home.
Whether we bristle at the word or not, it's accurate to say schools help "raise" our kids for 7-8 hours or more every weekday. There has always been more to public schools than academics and that is good and necessary.
Reducing the availability of less healthy food products and replacing them with equally tasty, more nutritious products keeps kids healthier at school and teaches better habits for later life.
Most of the kids I went to school with grew up lean and only gained weight as middle age crept up. It's important that we break this relatively recent cycle before morbidity becomes normal in America. Tolerance is the wrong prescription for the vast majority.
We all need a healthier food industry, and we can shape it in that direction if we will start supporting changes like healthier nutrition in schools.
Time was....they used to have some school nutritionist come by our (elementary) classes and teach us the (old) food pyramid.
And we had a dental worker stop by and show us the proper way to brush our teeth. We had medical people who monitored vaccinations (polio was a new and important one)...remember those sugar cubes? You didn't have your "shots"...you didn't get into school...period!
Things are out of control...we have the *free* breakfast and lunch programs. Granted there might be those select *few* who cannot honestly provide this, but even to me, that's a stretch. Seems there are too many (can we maybe say LAZY) "parents" that can't be bothered with the whole *cereal - bowl - milk* thing. Maybe some fresh FRUIT then? How about some TOAST?
I see kids going to school munching on Charms BLOW POPS...or downing some PEPSI, or chomping on Cheetos....Gawd...even "I" don't do this, although I've always had an affinity for COLD PIZZA for breakfast (when available). But as a kid, even THAT was a no-no. It was the old adage about "junk-in, junk-out"....and it applies more than ever today.
It boggles the mind to believe that people (read parents) can ignore so many of the BASICS these kids NEED, yet, by the same token, provide as many WANTS as the kids ask for. Can't do the breakfast gig, BUT...they CAN get them an iPod...!?!
A large part of our societal problems emanate from the fact that so many have supplanted WANTS for NEEDS. And the earlier this problem is addressed, the better off everyone concerned will be, especially the students, whatever grade they are in.
And school nutrition is as good a place to start as any.
B.G.
I know this will make me sound like an old fogey, (hell I'm only 48)....BUT....It sure as hell was a lot simpler when I was in school. We had these things in the halls called "water fountains" and if you were thirsty you could ask permission (another foreign concept for todays youth) and get a drink. When it was lunchtime, we stood in line and were handed a tray with whatever was prepared that day. Our choices for lunch were "eat or don't eat". Some how we all managed to get through without a buffet and ten bucks a day worth of junk food and pop.
Tim:
Kinda sounds like "chow-line" in the military...."Take what they give you, and be GRATEFUL you got it", was the phrase.
You're here to LEARN first and foremost.
Gee..that never DID do us any harm, did it?
((Anyone recall the "water troughs" from elementary schoolyards beside me?))
B.G.
PS: We're not old fogeys..just "seasoned veterans" of the college of hard knocks!
;)
Amen Bob, I had a feeling you'd agree with me on that...and I'm proud to be a "seasoned veteran" of the college of hard knocks...it does sound better than "old fogey" doesn't it! LOL