Campfire

[Bethers]

They need good food, not worthless calories.I'm all in favor of schools being more health conscious.

[Redetotry]

I agree with JudyJB when she said " They are making some very bad assumptions that all kids are the same. Another problem is that there have been a lot of reports that the foods they are cutting, like pizza, are the ones the kids like. So reports are that a lot more food is being thrown out in schools. Why not make pizza with more cheese to make it healthier instead of dumping it?" But it also would be interesting to read the list of ingredients on the food they are serving that they are calling 'healthy'. My brother said several years ago the cooks at the school where he was principle would make real homemade rolls and special turkey dinners for special occasions. After watching the kids throw them in the trash they finally stopped. Many of the children apparently never ate anything other than a sandwich and did not know how to use a knife and fork. They would try to put food on bread to eat it. So, I can see where introducing healthy food will be a difficult project. But as for the people who make decisions on these rules, maybe they are the same ones who brought in the new testing programs....Hope may be out there though, has anyone else seen the gardens people are growing in places like inter city Detroit? One man has just a small area but is growing an amazing amount of food and getting the neighborhood involved. Another recent story was about a man who after starting a garden in the city started helping other areas to do the same and it is now a fairly big operation.

[Azusateach]

I have to wade in on this discussion about school food (still being in the trenches as a teacher ...).

There has been a significant shift in the type and quality of food being served at schools. It's good. For many, many years one of the choices for milk was chocolate, with over 30g of sugar. It's now gone. They have a salad bar, and kids actually eat from it. Usually 2 entree selections are given, along with a "grab and go" lunch, usually a sandwich. Yes, food does get thrown away, but here it's not because what's being served isn't to the kids' liking -- it's more that they eat 5-6 bites and call it good.

What I see more of is poor table manners, and the lunch aides not addressing the chaos. I've finally gotten to where I'm offering anyone who doesn't want to sit in the cafeteria and eat the option of coming back to my classroom to eat in peace and quiet. What started out with 4-5 kids has grown to around 15. And they often bring their own lunch, which isn't any better than what's being served in the cafeteria.

And speaking of urban gardens ...

Next year, once we've added our 8th grade, we'll be creating 2 raised gardens here for the kids to grow veggies. The kids are excited, and I am too. There's an organization called DonorsChoose that allows teachers to write proposals for projects and materials they need for their classrooms. Donors can then contribute to the project, and the teacher gets what he/she needs for the class. I did one earlier this year to create a woodshop, and it's been a huge success. So I figured, why not do one for the garden? If you're interested in checking out my project (a little shameless asking here!), check out DonorsChoose.org. My project's name is "Let it Grow!", and the school is Alice Ellington. My project was posted 2 days ago, and in that short amount of time I've received HALF of the (approximately) $525 I requested -- that's a BIG deal! AND ... if people contribute before May 20, every donation is doubled! If you'd like more info., let me know. I'll be happy to share!

Okay. Now I have to get ready for my charges!

[Redetotry]

I have to wade in on this discussion about school food (still being in the trenches as a teacher ...).

There has been a significant shift in the type and quality of food being served at schools. It's good. For many, many years one of the choices for milk was chocolate, with over 30g of sugar. It's now gone. They have a salad bar, and kids actually eat from it. Usually 2 entree selections are given, along with a "grab and go" lunch, usually a sandwich. Yes, food does get thrown away, but here it's not because what's being served isn't to the kids' liking -- it's more that they eat 5-6 bites and call it good.

What I see more of is poor table manners, and the lunch aides not addressing the chaos. I've finally gotten to where I'm offering anyone who doesn't want to sit in the cafeteria and eat the option of coming back to my classroom to eat in peace and quiet. What started out with 4-5 kids has grown to around 15. And they often bring their own lunch, which isn't any better than what's being served in the cafeteria.

And speaking of urban gardens ...

Next year, once we've added our 8th grade, we'll be creating 2 raised gardens here for the kids to grow veggies. The kids are excited, and I am too. There's an organization called DonorsChoose that allows teachers to write proposals for projects and materials they need for their classrooms. Donors can then contribute to the project, and the teacher gets what he/she needs for the class. I did one earlier this year to create a woodshop, and it's been a huge success. So I figured, why not do one for the garden? If you're interested in checking out my project (a little shameless asking here!), check out DonorsChoose.org. My project's name is "Let it Grow!", and the school is Alice Ellington. My project was posted 2 days ago, and in that short amount of time I've received HALF of the (approximately) $525 I requested -- that's a BIG deal! AND ... if people contribute before May 20, every donation is doubled! If you'd like more info., let me know. I'll be happy to share!

Okay. Now I have to get ready for my charges!

What a great idea!! Do you know if the DonorsChoose program is available in all states?

[Azusateach]

I have to wade in on this discussion about school food (still being in the trenches as a teacher ...).

There has been a significant shift in the type and quality of food being served at schools. It's good. For many, many years one of the choices for milk was chocolate, with over 30g of sugar. It's now gone. They have a salad bar, and kids actually eat from it. Usually 2 entree selections are given, along with a "grab and go" lunch, usually a sandwich. Yes, food does get thrown away, but here it's not because what's being served isn't to the kids' liking -- it's more that they eat 5-6 bites and call it good.

What I see more of is poor table manners, and the lunch aides not addressing the chaos. I've finally gotten to where I'm offering anyone who doesn't want to sit in the cafeteria and eat the option of coming back to my classroom to eat in peace and quiet. What started out with 4-5 kids has grown to around 15. And they often bring their own lunch, which isn't any better than what's being served in the cafeteria.

And speaking of urban gardens ...

Next year, once we've added our 8th grade, we'll be creating 2 raised gardens here for the kids to grow veggies. The kids are excited, and I am too. There's an organization called DonorsChoose that allows teachers to write proposals for projects and materials they need for their classrooms. Donors can then contribute to the project, and the teacher gets what he/she needs for the class. I did one earlier this year to create a woodshop, and it's been a huge success. So I figured, why not do one for the garden? If you're interested in checking out my project (a little shameless asking here!), check out DonorsChoose.org. My project's name is "Let it Grow!", and the school is Alice Ellington. My project was posted 2 days ago, and in that short amount of time I've received HALF of the (approximately) $525 I requested -- that's a BIG deal! AND ... if people contribute before May 20, every donation is doubled! If you'd like more info., let me know. I'll be happy to share!

Okay. Now I have to get ready for my charges!

What a great idea!! Do you know if the DonorsChoose program is available in all states?

It is. It's a remarkable organization. I'm so impressed with them.

[Bethers]

I have to admit - I usually skipped lunch (and breakfast) but when I bought anything in hs, I bought mashed potatoes and gravy and a chocolate milk shake. I would have been much better off if neither had been available! When I brought lunch my mom gave me fresh fruit and raw veggies, as well as some kind of sandwich. I'd have loved that salad bar that I'm now seeing in schools. Kids HAVE to learn to eat better than what we did - diabetes and so many of today's illnesses could be curbed. No, you don't have to quit pizza, but make a healthier version of it - I've seen it.

Laura, was so glad to hear you post about it. Will go see if I can help out with your program.

Because of health matters, I had to learn to eat better a couple years ago - and wish I had never gone down the route I did - so it's a very sore subject with me. I'll say that many, many of the illnesses many of us are getting in our advancing years are caused by our diets and environmental scents, etc that we are all subject to.

Off my soap box now.

[Rufflesgurl]

Good project Laura - Your "charges" will be so excited to harvest their "fruits."

Linda

[Bethers]

I have to wade in on this discussion about school food (still being in the trenches as a teacher ...).

There has been a significant shift in the type and quality of food being served at schools. It's good. For many, many years one of the choices for milk was chocolate, with over 30g of sugar. It's now gone. They have a salad bar, and kids actually eat from it. Usually 2 entree selections are given, along with a "grab and go" lunch, usually a sandwich. Yes, food does get thrown away, but here it's not because what's being served isn't to the kids' liking -- it's more that they eat 5-6 bites and call it good.

What I see more of is poor table manners, and the lunch aides not addressing the chaos. I've finally gotten to where I'm offering anyone who doesn't want to sit in the cafeteria and eat the option of coming back to my classroom to eat in peace and quiet. What started out with 4-5 kids has grown to around 15. And they often bring their own lunch, which isn't any better than what's being served in the cafeteria.

And speaking of urban gardens ...

Next year, once we've added our 8th grade, we'll be creating 2 raised gardens here for the kids to grow veggies. The kids are excited, and I am too. There's an organization called DonorsChoose that allows teachers to write proposals for projects and materials they need for their classrooms. Donors can then contribute to the project, and the teacher gets what he/she needs for the class. I did one earlier this year to create a woodshop, and it's been a huge success. So I figured, why not do one for the garden? If you're interested in checking out my project (a little shameless asking here!), check out DonorsChoose.org. My project's name is "Let it Grow!", and the school is Alice Ellington. My project was posted 2 days ago, and in that short amount of time I've received HALF of the (approximately) $525 I requested -- that's a BIG deal! AND ... if people contribute before May 20, every donation is doubled! If you'd like more info., let me know. I'll be happy to share!

Okay. Now I have to get ready for my charges!

I cannot get your project to show up - the only one I can find for your school is called "Books for All"???

[Azusateach]

I have to wade in on this discussion about school food (still being in the trenches as a teacher ...).

There has been a significant shift in the type and quality of food being served at schools. It's good. For many, many years one of the choices for milk was chocolate, with over 30g of sugar. It's now gone. They have a salad bar, and kids actually eat from it. Usually 2 entree selections are given, along with a "grab and go" lunch, usually a sandwich. Yes, food does get thrown away, but here it's not because what's being served isn't to the kids' liking -- it's more that they eat 5-6 bites and call it good.

What I see more of is poor table manners, and the lunch aides not addressing the chaos. I've finally gotten to where I'm offering anyone who doesn't want to sit in the cafeteria and eat the option of coming back to my classroom to eat in peace and quiet. What started out with 4-5 kids has grown to around 15. And they often bring their own lunch, which isn't any better than what's being served in the cafeteria.

And speaking of urban gardens ...

Next year, once we've added our 8th grade, we'll be creating 2 raised gardens here for the kids to grow veggies. The kids are excited, and I am too. There's an organization called DonorsChoose that allows teachers to write proposals for projects and materials they need for their classrooms. Donors can then contribute to the project, and the teacher gets what he/she needs for the class. I did one earlier this year to create a woodshop, and it's been a huge success. So I figured, why not do one for the garden? If you're interested in checking out my project (a little shameless asking here!), check out DonorsChoose.org. My project's name is "Let it Grow!", and the school is Alice Ellington. My project was posted 2 days ago, and in that short amount of time I've received HALF of the (approximately) $525 I requested -- that's a BIG deal! AND ... if people contribute before May 20, every donation is doubled! If you'd like more info., let me know. I'll be happy to share!

Okay. Now I have to get ready for my charges!

I cannot get your project to show up - the only one I can find for your school is called "Books for All"???

Beth, that's because it was completely funded by noon today! I am absolutely amazed at the generosity of people! It'll make coming back to school next year even more fun now!

[bluepinecones]

Great news on getting your project fully funded.
We have several community gardens scattered around here. There is one that is mostly worked by high school kids and most of the produce is donated to Meals on Wheels for the elderly.

[Bethers]

Laura, that is awesome news!

[JudyJB]

Confession time: Long story but I have an aftermarket combination AM/FM radio, Satellite radio, back-up camera, CD player, and DVD player--yes, it will really play videos. Even has a remote control. Dealer put in this "incredible" device when I said I had to have a SiriusXM radio in order to buy the RV.

Problem is that it took me two months to learn how to turn it on. (It also came with an instruction booklet with itty-bitty type I could not read. Have since got all 120 pages enlarged and printed out.) Biggest issue is that this "radio" has no knobs. It has some buttons, but is 90% touch screen. For most of the past three years, I have been able to turn the volume up and down, change channels by running through every single one, and changing from AM to FM to Satellite radio. (Have never even tried to view a DVD, so remote has spent three years in a drawer.) I still cannot turn it off, but it seems to do that by itself after a few minutes of shutting off the vehicle. When I want to shut it off while driving, I just turn the volume down.

A couple of months ago, I ended up turning off the back-up camera after accidently pushing some buttons. I dug out the instruction manual and discovered that you turn the back-up camera back on by pushing and holding the Mute button--who would have thought?? Then you can switch back and forth between viewing the radio screen and the back-up camera by touching the middle of the screen.

Then today, I touched some wrong button and found a screen that showed a place to pre-set favorite stations! Yea! No more hitting the channel "up" button 118 times to go from channel 1 to channel 118. So I got the booklet out and set up six of my favorite channels.

At this rate, I may learn how to adjust the sound qualities in a year or so.

[Acadianmom]

Judy, my radio is not nearly as fancy as yours but I can't turn mine off either. If I mess with it to too much I can get it into some mode where nothing works and I can't change it. When I do finally get it back to radio I never know what I did that fixed it. We'll see if my son can figure it out when we go to Florida.

Martha

[gingerK]

Judy and Martha I just had to laugh at your radio problems. AG came with a removable stereo and yesterday I was trying to figure out how to turn it on and off!

[JudyJB]

Do these technical device developers not know they are giving us things we cannot use in the guise of "wonderful" technical advances???

Glad I am not the only one with this problem. And both of my sons have given up on my "radio."