Connecticut’s state legislature voted on Thursday to ban sales of sodas and other sugary beverages in state elementary, middle and high schools as part of an effort to stem teen obesity.
Conn. Student Suspended For Buying Candy In School
March 12, 2008
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) ― The New Haven schools superintendent said Wednesday that he will review a principal’s decision to suspend an eighth-grade student for buying candy in school.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) ― The New Haven schools superintendent said Wednesday that he will review a principal’s decision to suspend an eighth-grade student for buying candy in school.
Michael Sheridan was stripped of his title as class vice president, barred from attending an honors student dinner and suspended for a day after buying a bag of Skittles from a classmate.
The New Haven school system banned candy sales in 2003 as part of a districtwide school wellness policy, said school spokeswoman Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo.
Shelli Sheridan, Michael’s mother, told the New Haven Register that he is a top student with no previous disciplinary problems.
“It’s too much. It’s too unfair,” she said. “He’s never even had a detention.”
Superintendent Reginald Mayo said Wednesday that Sheridan Middle School principal Eleanor Turner just wanted to keep students safe.
He said she warned students repeatedly after the school experienced a rash of candy sales in the fall. There were also worries about those selling the candy, especially after a student’s wallet was stolen on the bus.
“She had concerns about the safety of students carrying large amounts of cash in school,” Mayo said. “The question is, was the punishment too harsh? That’s something we need to evaluate.”
Mayo said he hopes to resolve the situation quickly. Michael’s suspension has been reduced from three days to one, but he has not been reinstated as class vice president.
He said he didn’t realize his candy purchase was against the rules, but he did notice that the student selling the Skittles on Feb. 26 was being secretive.
An administrator busted Michael with the candy in his pocket. His mother says the student who sold him the Skittles out of a lunch box was also suspended.
A copy of the district’s policy states that “no candy or junk food fundraisers will be allowed on school grounds” and that only healthy snacks will be sold in vending machines.
The policy also prohibits bake sales and other food sales during school hours. The policy does not say anything about students sharing snacks when no money is exchanged.
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TOTALLY STUCK ON STUPID
“The New Haven (Ct.) schools superintendent said Wednesday that he will review a principal’s decision to suspend an eighth-grade student for buying candy in school. Michael Sheridan was stripped of his title as class vice president, barred from attending an honors student dinner and suspended for a day after buying a bag of Skittles from a classmate.
“The New Haven school system banned candy sales in 2003 as part of a districtwide school wellness policy, said school spokeswoman Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo. . . . Superintendent Reginald Mayo said Wednesday that Sheridan Middle School principal Eleanor Turner just wanted to keep students safe. . . . An administrator busted Michael with the candy in his pocket.”
– Associated Press, 3/12/08
BRUSHFIRE ALERT
Busted for candy possession?? Good grief.? Here’s the contact information for these idiots:
Ms. Eleanor Turner
Phone: 203-946-8828
eleanor.turner@new-haven.k12.ct.us
Superintendent Reginald Mayo
203-946-8888
dr.mayo@new-haven.k12.ct.us
Now you can read Chuck Muth’s “News & Views” online, complete with searchable archives.? Just click HERE
Connecticut approves ban on sodas in schools
Apr 27, 2006
HARTFORD, Conn., Connecticut’s state legislature voted on Thursday to ban sales of sodas and other sugary beverages in state elementary, middle and high schools as part of an effort to stem teen obesity.
Gov. Jodi Rell has pledged to sign the bill, which would make Connecticut the fourth U.S. state with a strong law in schools to trim the growing American teenage waistline.
The ban includes all regular and diet sodas, along with “electrolyte replacement beverages” such as Gatorade. The only drinks allowed to go on sale in schools would be bottled water, milk or 100-percent fruit and vegetable drinks.
“The bill clearly won’t solve all food and beverage questions that lead to the increase in excess weight and obesity that we are seeing among children and adults in our society, but it’s a good start,” said state Rep. Andrew Fleischmann.
A Northwestern University study released in December showed more than one in three American adolescents are physically unfit and have many of the risk factors for heart disease.
The Connecticut law, which will take effect from July, will allow soda sales at concession stands at school-sponsored events after school and on weekends. Students can also pack their own sodas and sports drinks and bring them to school.
The House approved the bill on Thursday by a slim 76-to-71 vote margin largely on party lines in the Democrat-controlled state Legislature. Last week it passed the Senate 24-to-8.
Republicans proposed multiple amendments that were all voted down and said the issue should be left to local communities and not decided by the state.
“This is a decision that should be decided at the local level,” Republican state Rep. David Labriola said during the five hours of debate over the bill in the House. “That’s what our local boards of education are for.”
Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. are the two largest U.S. soda companies. Officials at both companies were not immediately available to comment.
Conn. Gov. Vetoes School Junk Food Bill
Jun 14, 2005
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The governor vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have banned most soft drinks and junk food from Connecticut schools.
Soft drink companies had lobbied fiercely against the bill, and schools expressed concerns about losing revenue from sales.
Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell said the effort to impose state standards on school districts for nutrition and physical education “undermines the control and responsibility of parents with school-aged children.”
The bill would have banned sodas and snacks deemed unhealthy by the state Department of Education from school cafeterias, school stores and vending machines.
The legislation also would have required 20 minutes of physical activity for young students through fifth grade each day, outside of gym class.
Proponents said that taking sugary soda and junk food away would teach students about good nutrition choices.
Rell said improving the health and wellness of Connecticut’s children is laudable and called on the education commissioner to develop guidelines for school nutrition and physical education policies.
