Guest guest Posted August 31, 2003 Report Share Posted August 31, 2003 When I was in school I dreaded the first day of gym when they would weigh and measure everyone. It was done in front of the whole class. The humiliation was so damaging to me, The short boys also suffered. In my day they believed that embarrassing children would get them to shape up. It looks like our country is going back to this method. It didn't work then and won't work now. I become so outraged at how backwards everything is going, Fay Bayuk **300/166 10/23/01 Dr. Open RNY 150 cm Click for My Profile http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=Bayuk951061008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2003 Report Share Posted August 31, 2003 I think most people are aware that they are fat. They do not need a tape measure or BMI number to know you are fat. I think this is something that will just lead to more problems with eating disorders. I have overheard 4 year old children talk about being overweight and dieting. I had a pudgy gym teacher tell me one time after class that I was overweight. Well Duh! That was kind of stating the obvious. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2003 Report Share Posted August 31, 2003 Thanks for sharing. I will be curious to see what the opinions of others are on this. As a chubby child, my one source of feeling good about myself was my report card. (I felt that I could never do anything right at home.) I cannot imagine having the one good thing in my life marred with that black mark . B from NJ Article - Kinda Long! Thought some might find this interesting! Kinda long...delete at will! Reba *********************** Student bodies BY JENN LONG Northwest Arkansas Times Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 With the new school year just days away a new legislative act that will require schools to record a student's body mass is attracting support and criticism from parents and school officials in Washington County. Passed in April by the Arkansas General Assembly, Act 1220 of 2003 has only recently become an issue as parents get their children prepared for the first day of school Monday. The law demands that school personnel figure each student's body mass index - calculated using a formula that uses height and weight and compares it to other children - for inclusion on the student's report card each year. Schools are also required to provide pamphlets and other materials that explain the health effects of the body mass index. Local state legislators who support the bill contend that the new requirement was intended to help battle childhood obesity, which is increasingly becoming a health risk in the state and nation, according to the United States Center for Disease Control. " We are facing a crisis in this country and in Arkansas with obesity, " said Arkansas District 7 Sen. Sue Madison. " I realize this is seeming like a huge invasion of privacy but there is a concern because of the health crisis and to some extent that crisis will be [shouldered] by the taxpayers in the future, " she said referring to potential long-term health care costs resulting from obesity. According to the local school health officials, childhood obesity can lead to diabetes, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease and depression. Parents and school officials have taken issue with the BMI measurement, stating that calculating and recording the body mass index goes beyond a school's mission and responsibility. " This has absolutely nothing to do with educating my children, " said Washington County resident Tyrun Bates, who has three children attending Lincoln Public School. " Our schools have enough funding problems that we should not spend one dime on something that does not have to do with education. " Prairie Grove Superintendent Tom Louks said the district is prepared to implement the new requirement, but will do so with some reservations. " We will do it if we are told to do it, " he said. " But you can't legislate morality and you can't tell someone they can't be fat. It borders on privacy issues. I think it takes the role of parent and gives it to the school. " Implementing the BMI assessment has been put on hold by the Arkansas Department of Education until a health advisory committee, also created by Act 1220, has developed recommendations for measuring and recording BMI. In a letter to the state's superintendents, ADE Director Ray Simon told school officials that the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement are working with the ADE to seek funding for the BMI assessment and reporting. The BMI recording is just a small part of Act 1220, which also creates a child health advisory board that is charged with combating childhood obesity. Other issues, such as limiting elementary school students ' access to vending machines, are also addressed in the new law. The new mandate has attracted some parental support. Jill Flood, a Fayetteville resident and parent of a second-grader at Happy Hollow Elementary School, said she supported schools calculating body mass index because of potential health risks associated with childhood obesity. However, she did not believe the measurement should be included on a report card, she said. " It is just a gut feeling that it shouldn't be there. Report cards really aren't private, " she said. Several school officials have said they are wary of the mandate, citing privacy and social stigma concerns. Farmington Superintendent Ron said recently that measuring and recording body mass index can create embarrassing situations for young adults who are already dealing with self-image issues. Selfesteem and confidence could be damaged at a fragile time, he said. " I have talked with some of our counselors and they are concerned because it would be taken at the worst possible time for this group of kids. Their bodies are changing and they are already dealing with adolescence and it is just a tough time for them, " said. Beth Passmore, Greenland Schools' head nurse, went a step further with her belief that the new requirement could potentially cause eating disorders. " There is already evidence of eating disorders in middle school children here and in the older elementary school students. Students can be cruel, " she said. Passmore has been a registered nurse for 15 years, 10 of which were spent as a school nurse in districts throughout the state. " BMI does not really provide an accurate picture of a person's health in regards to weight anyway, " she said, also noting that it would be impossible for a school to take the measurements that would provide a complete picture of student health. According to the CDC, a body mass index measurement is " just one of many factors " that create a person's health profile. BMI gives no indication of a child's body fat percentage. According to the CDC's Web site, a healthy person and an overweight person could have the same BMI measurement, depending on muscle mass. " I think the intention of the bill was admirable and there should be concerns about health issues. However, I am not sure this was the way to have gone about it, " said, noting that although report cards are officially considered private documents, they are rarely treated as such by students. Some school officials question whether the measurement will help battle childhood obesity. They argue that parents will already be aware if their child has a weight problem and that a number listed on a report card will not give them an understandable factor concerning their child's health. " We all know about weight. We see ourselves and our children. I think we can trust parents to make that decision, " Passmore said. Local superintendents have fielded few inquiries from parents regarding the body mass measurement. Madison said she has received two e-mails with concerns about the issue. Despite the small show of interest, school officials said they are prepared to field complaints once the first measurement is posted on report cards. " I anticipate that once it does come out on a report card there will be some people who have not heard about this and they will hit the ceiling when they see it, " said. Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2003 Report Share Posted August 31, 2003 **Sue Madison. " I realize this is seeming > like a huge invasion of privacy ///// Uh, yes, it CERTAINLY is! ** I think it takes the role of > parent and gives it to the school. " //// And just when have they started to be concerned about THAT? **Other issues, such as limiting elementary school > students ' access to vending machines, ///////////////// So will they be telling parents what they can/cannot pack in their child's lunch? ** " There is already evidence of eating disorders in > middle school children here and in the older elementary school > students. Students can be cruel, " //////////// Yes, I think this could be devastating to some students. I wasn't a chubby kid, I just simply starved myself to be thin back then, this would've put me over the edge I think. ** " We all know about weight. We see ourselves and our children. I think we can trust parents to make that decision, " Passmore said. ///////// What? " trust parents to make that decision " wow! this is a shocking statement. I certainly hope they WOULD since it's THEIR child. ** " I anticipate that once it does come out on a report card there will be some people who have not heard about this and they will hit the ceiling when they see it, " said. ////////// Excuse me? You're going to take and record a child's bmi and the parent isn't going to know about it until report card time? You can bet the ceiling being hit isn't the only thing they should be worried about, it's the FAN! Gasp! Can you tell I have strong opinions on this one? LOL Lori NY (who is reminded once again why we homeschool) Article - Kinda Long! > > > Thought some might find this interesting! Kinda long...delete at > will! > > Reba > > *********************** > > Student bodies > BY JENN LONG Northwest Arkansas Times > > Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 > > With the new school year just days away a new legislative act that > will require schools to record a student's body mass is attracting > support and criticism from parents and school officials in > Washington County. > > Passed in April by the Arkansas General Assembly, Act 1220 of 2003 > has only recently become an issue as parents get their children > prepared for the first day of school Monday. > > The law demands that school personnel figure each student's body > mass index - calculated using a formula that uses height and weight > and compares it to other children - for inclusion on the student's > report card each year. Schools are also required to provide > pamphlets and other materials that explain the health effects of the > body mass index. > > Local state legislators who support the bill contend that the new > requirement was intended to help battle childhood obesity, which is > increasingly becoming a health risk in the state and nation, > according to the United States Center for Disease Control. " We are > facing a crisis in this country and in Arkansas with obesity, " said > Arkansas District 7 Sen. Sue Madison. " I realize this is seeming > like a huge invasion of privacy but there is a concern because of > the health crisis and to some extent that crisis will be > [shouldered] by the taxpayers in the future, " she said referring to > potential long-term health care costs resulting from obesity. > > According to the local school health officials, childhood obesity > can lead to diabetes, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease and > depression. > > Parents and school officials have taken issue with the BMI > measurement, stating that calculating and recording the body mass > index goes beyond a school's mission and responsibility. " This has > absolutely nothing to do with educating my children, " said > Washington County resident Tyrun Bates, who has three children > attending Lincoln Public School. " Our schools have enough funding > problems that we should not spend one dime on something that does > not have to do with education. " > > Prairie Grove Superintendent Tom Louks said the district is prepared > to implement the new requirement, but will do so with some > reservations. " We will do it if we are told to do it, " he said. " But > you can't legislate morality and you can't tell someone they can't > be fat. It borders on privacy issues. I think it takes the role of > parent and gives it to the school. " > > Implementing the BMI assessment has been put on hold by the Arkansas > Department of Education until a health advisory committee, also > created by Act 1220, has developed recommendations for measuring and > recording BMI. > > In a letter to the state's superintendents, ADE Director Ray Simon > told school officials that the Arkansas Department of Health and the > Arkansas Center for Health Improvement are working with the ADE to > seek funding for the BMI assessment and reporting. > > The BMI recording is just a small part of Act 1220, which also > creates a child health advisory board that is charged with combating > childhood obesity. Other issues, such as limiting elementary school > students ' access to vending machines, are also addressed in the new > law. > > The new mandate has attracted some parental support. > > Jill Flood, a Fayetteville resident and parent of a second-grader at > Happy Hollow Elementary School, said she supported schools > calculating body mass index because of potential health risks > associated with childhood obesity. However, she did not believe the > measurement should be included on a report card, she said. " It is > just a gut feeling that it shouldn't be there. Report cards really > aren't private, " she said. > > Several school officials have said they are wary of the mandate, > citing privacy and social stigma concerns. > > Farmington Superintendent Ron said recently that measuring > and recording body mass index can create embarrassing situations for > young adults who are already dealing with self-image issues. > Selfesteem and confidence could be damaged at a fragile time, he > said. " I have talked with some of our counselors and they are > concerned because it would be taken at the worst possible time for > this group of kids. Their bodies are changing and they are already > dealing with adolescence and it is just a tough time for them, " > said. > > Beth Passmore, Greenland Schools' head nurse, went a step further > with her belief that the new requirement could potentially cause > eating disorders. " There is already evidence of eating disorders in > middle school children here and in the older elementary school > students. Students can be cruel, " she said. > > Passmore has been a registered nurse for 15 years, 10 of which were > spent as a school nurse in districts throughout the state. " BMI does > not really provide an accurate picture of a person's health in > regards to weight anyway, " she said, also noting that it would be > impossible for a school to take the measurements that would provide > a complete picture of student health. > > According to the CDC, a body mass index measurement is " just one of > many factors " that create a person's health profile. BMI gives no > indication of a child's body fat percentage. According to the CDC's > Web site, a healthy person and an overweight person could have the > same BMI measurement, depending on muscle mass. " I think the > intention of the bill was admirable and there should be concerns > about health issues. However, I am not sure this was the way to have > gone about it, " said, noting that although report cards are > officially considered private documents, they are rarely treated as > such by students. > > Some school officials question whether the measurement will help > battle childhood obesity. They argue that parents will already be > aware if their child has a weight problem and that a number listed > on a report card will not give them an understandable factor > concerning their child's health. " We all know about weight. We see > ourselves and our children. I think we can trust parents to make > that decision, " Passmore said. > > Local superintendents have fielded few inquiries from parents > regarding the body mass measurement. Madison said she has received > two e-mails with concerns about the issue. Despite the small show of > interest, school officials said they are prepared to field > complaints once the first measurement is posted on report cards. " I > anticipate that once it does come out on a report card there will be > some people who have not heard about this and they will hit the > ceiling when they see it, " said. > > > > > Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG > > Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 Wellllllllll, someone I know has a son of 18 or so who is pushing 400 lbs. He has developed secondary gender characteristics, which is pretty bad in puberty. He just needs to exercise more & quit eating chips, she says. Um, hello? He might need to do those things and indeed, might drop 40-50#, but this boy is in serious trouble and mom is on another station in la-la land, cuz he's gonna outgrow his baby fat. Thanks, Vitalady, Inc. T www.vitalady.com If you are interested in PayPal, please click here: https://www.paypal.com/affil/pal=orders%40vitalady.com Re: Article - Kinda Long! > I think most people are aware that they are fat. They do not need a > tape measure or BMI number to know you are fat. I think this is > something that will just lead to more problems with eating > disorders. I have overheard 4 year old children talk about being > overweight and dieting. I had a pudgy gym teacher tell me one time > after class that I was overweight. Well Duh! That was kind of > stating the obvious. > > Kathy > > > > Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG > > Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 In a message dated 9/1/2003 7:29:08 AM Eastern Standard Time, watnext@... writes: As others have said, learning good eating habits comes at an early age from within the home , If you truly believe that MO is a disease, learning has nothing to do with it. I have two daughters trained in healthy eating. One can control her weight because she does not have the disease the other had surgery over a year ago. I have 1 sister and three bothers all thin to skinny. Fay Bayuk **300/166 10/23/01 Dr. Open RNY 150 cm Click for My Profile http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=Bayuk951061008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 I should have clarified that this would benefit those who have a chance at controlling their weight early on. A disease is a disease. If we have a genetic or chemical abnormality, eventually, it will probably rear its ugly head. in NJ ************************************ In a message dated 9/1/2003 7:33:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time, FBayuk writes: > In a message dated 9/1/2003 7:29:08 AM Eastern Standard Time, > watnext@... writes: > > >> As others have said, learning good eating habits comes at an early >> age from within the home > > , If you truly believe that MO is a disease, learning has nothing to > do with it. I have two daughters trained in healthy eating. One can control > her weight because she does not have the disease the other had surgery over a > year ago. I have 1 sister and three bothers all thin to skinny. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 In a message dated 8/31/03 10:54:49 PM Central Daylight Time, cherish5@... writes: > So will they be telling parents what they can/cannot pack in their child's > lunch? > I had this happen to me when my son was in daycare!! There are state laws regarding certain things that they must feed to the children, even if the parent is bringing the lunch. I sent my toddler lowfat yogurt, lima beans (go figure..the kiddo loved them then!), fruit and crackers. I got a nasty letter saying that I must include a " protein source " in his lunch. I fired back and told them that the yogurt and the beans WERE a protein source. They had to call the state and get the " okay " to count the yogurt as protein. My neighbor, who sent her kid Vienna sausages and potato chips had a perfectly acceptable, state sanctioned lunch! Beth Houston, TX VBG - Dr. Srungaram 05/31/00 - 314 lbs. 11/01/02 - Abdominoplasty 11/29/02 - 160 lbs. 5'10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 Well, as one who went through hell as a fat child, and knowing the prevalence of eating disorders among teenagers and even pre-teens, my heart aches for the kids. Putting a BMI on their reports cards is just cruel and unusual punishment and promoting eating disorders. If they feel they must tell the parents, then do just that...send letters out to them, but whatever actions (or lack of) the parents take will not change by putting these kids emotional wellbeing on the line. There's absolutely no reason or benefit to placing these numbers on report cards and, in fact, will almost certainly prove to be detrimental to the physical and emotional health of these children, possible forever. I would raise holy h*ll if my child was in this school district. If we have had insurance pay for our WLS because we have determined that we can not lose and keep off weight by traditional methods, then we have (and our insurance companies) have determined that obesity is a disease. There is no question that putting a child's BMI on a report card is no different than putting a diagnosis of cancer or AIDS on that report card. It is an absolute invasion of privacy. Do they put a diagnosis of drug or alcohol abuse on report cards? Many children have serious issues with these diseases, too. As others have said, learning good eating habits comes at an early age from within the home. If parents are not prepared to teach their kids a healthier way to eat, a BMI on a report card certainly won't. Just my .02, in NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 As a routine part of the health program at my school way back in the dark ages (1951-52), all first- and second-graders (perhaps older kids, too - I don't know) had their heights and weights measured and recorded. I still have my " report card " - in the shape of a milk bottle (yes, children... milk came in bottles back then, not cartons). I weighed 52# in second grade; I don't remember how tall I was, but taller than any of the other girls. Back then, no one had come up with the BMI concept. We have standards for measuring eyesight (20/20), learning (A,B,C,D), hearing, etc. We don't think twice about evaluating ourselves and our children against the " norm " as a way of determining where we may need to pay more attention or seek help. As long as the measurements are not made public to the other children, I don't see any problem with this " new " policy. I don't see any way in the world it can hurt, and it might open *some* parents' eyes to developing problems before it's too late to correct them. --- 365/199/160 Lap RnY, Distal - Dr. s Vanderbilt University Hospital Surgery date June 3, 2002 ----- Original Message ----- > **Sue Madison. " I realize this is seeming > > like a huge invasion of privacy > ///// > Uh, yes, it CERTAINLY is! > ** I think it takes the role of > > parent and gives it to the school. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 , What bothers me, along with what you mentioned, is that report cards are permanent records. This will follow a person for the rest of their lives. How about trying to get a job 10 yrs down the road? How would a college or prespective employer use this info? I believe that letters to a parent would be more realistic. Reba > Well, as one who went through hell as a fat child, and knowing the > prevalence of eating disorders among teenagers and even pre-teens, my > heart aches for the kids. Putting a BMI on their reports cards is > just cruel and unusual punishment and promoting eating disorders. *********snip********* > disease. There is no question that putting a child's BMI on a report > card is no different than putting a diagnosis of cancer or AIDS on > that report card. It is an absolute invasion of privacy. Do they > put a diagnosis of drug or alcohol abuse on report cards? Many > children have serious issues with these diseases, too. > > As others have said, learning good eating habits comes at an early > age from within the home. If parents are not prepared to teach their > kids a healthier way to eat, a BMI on a report card certainly won't. > > Just my .02, > in NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 In a message dated 9/1/2003 12:50:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, ladybostons@... writes: then that darn FAT gene hit and she unfortunately needs the surgery. It breaks my heart that she got this from me. You know, she still cooks healthy So well put. I remember Erma Bombeck saying " how do you tell a 6 foot tall well built teenage boy that a bag of potato chips is not a meal. " or something like that. Turn that around, why does everyone assume a child is fat from poor parenting or lack of knowledge. In fact I am surprised at some of the postings today from some members I dearly respect. Of course, that is the trouble with e-mail, how you say something is not always read as the writer intended. Fay Bayuk **300/166 10/23/01 Dr. Open RNY 150 cm Click for My Profile http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=Bayuk951061008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 Absolutely! If a child who murders someone can have their record expunged when they hit 18 years of age, why should some poor overweight child have this painful disease follow him or her throughout life? It's disgusting. in NJ **************************** > , > > What bothers me, along with what you mentioned, is that report cards > are permanent records. This will follow a person for the rest of > their lives. How about trying to get a job 10 yrs down the road? > How would a college or prespective employer use this info? I > believe that letters to a parent would be more realistic. > > Reba > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 I grew up in the era of the Presidential Physical Fitness testing - it was humiliating and embarrassing for those of us who were pudgy. I can't imagine that calculating BMI (which one person in the article noted is not a completely accurate picture of health anyway) and making it part of their record is going to do much for self-esteem or health. I think providing palatable, healthy school lunches instead of the greasy, starchy fare the kids get now, teaching healthy eating in heath education classes, and ditching the vending machines full of junk while encouraging outdoor activities might be a more sensible approach. Sally 298 (BMI 49)/-136/162 Goal: 145-150ish lap RNY 7/10/02 Dr. Quinlin/Pittsburgh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 What bothers me, along with what you mentioned, is that report cards are permanent records. This will follow a person for the rest of their lives. How about trying to get a job 10 yrs down the road? How would a college or prespective employer use this info? I believe that letters to a parent would be more realistic. Reba ////// Good point Reba, not to mention future life/health insurance policies. Lori NY Re: Article - Kinda Long! > , > > What bothers me, along with what you mentioned, is that report cards > are permanent records. This will follow a person for the rest of > their lives. How about trying to get a job 10 yrs down the road? > How would a college or prespective employer use this info? I > believe that letters to a parent would be more realistic. > > Reba > > > > > Well, as one who went through hell as a fat child, and knowing the > > prevalence of eating disorders among teenagers and even pre-teens, > my > > heart aches for the kids. Putting a BMI on their reports cards is > > just cruel and unusual punishment and promoting eating disorders. > *********snip********* > > disease. There is no question that putting a child's BMI on a > report > > card is no different than putting a diagnosis of cancer or AIDS on > > that report card. It is an absolute invasion of privacy. Do they > > put a diagnosis of drug or alcohol abuse on report cards? Many > > children have serious issues with these diseases, too. > > > > As others have said, learning good eating habits comes at an early > > age from within the home. If parents are not prepared to teach > their > > kids a healthier way to eat, a BMI on a report card certainly > won't. > > > > Just my .02, > > in NJ > > > Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG > > Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 My Daughter was raised with healthy eating habits. Little to no sugars allowed in the house, no sugary cereals (unlike her friends). NOT that we were sugar nazi's ... But our dentist LOVED us. LOL She grew up eating vegetables that even I didn't like, because I told her....just because I don't like it doesn't mean YOU won't...so always give it a try and she did. She rarely used salt (now that is a bit weird LOL) and that was on her own initiative...I don't use much salt in my cooking and let others season as they wish. We didn't NOT have cookies or ice cream or the occasional candy...but it wasn't used as a reward. She was skinny until going through puberty...then that darn FAT gene hit and she unfortunately needs the surgery. It breaks my heart that she got this from me. You know, she still cooks healthy. But, like many of us...that FULL trigger doesn't work. She exercises (doing 9 flights of stairs in her office building when she arrives and leaves) and walks with her co-workers at lunch. My heart is just hurting for her. She isn't happy like she is, but to me she is still beautiful, still my darling daughter and all I can do is support her in her decisions. Debbie & in Gig Harbor (170cm medial) ladybostons@... http://www.cafeshops.com/copsstore http://www.marykay.com/debbiemcneice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 > What bothers me, along with what you mentioned, is that report cards are permanent records. This will follow a person for the rest of their lives. How about trying to get a job 10 yrs down the road? How would a college or prespective employer use this info? I believe that letters to a parent would be more realistic.<<< This is obviously a topic that has sparked strong emotions. I don't want to get into the middle of the emotional aspects of having the BMI calculated and put on report cards, or the invasion of privacy issue, or whether parent are teaching/feeding their kids correctly. This is a complex issue where there isn't a simple answer. Having worked for the school system for years (and years and years! LOL), I did want to mention, though, that while the report cards may be a part of someone's permanent record, they cannot be accessed without permission. And beyond that, colleges and employers are interested in 1)successful completion of high school, documented by the diploma, and 2) overall GPA as documented by the final transcript. On rare occasions, a university or employer with want proof of success in a specific area, such as science or math, which again is documented on the final transcript, or participation in various clubs and service organizations, which aren't noted on the report cards and are documented in various ways according to high school policy. I have never heard of a university or employer even requesting to look at report cards. The other thing I wanted to comment on is the practicality of doing this. I have found over the years that issues like this usually simply die because, whether the are well founded or not, they are not feasible to carry out on an ongoing basis. Kids get their report cards several times a year. Are the schools going to be able to weigh, measure and calculate BMI's for each child for every report card? Even if it's only once a year, that's a huge undertaking. For example, there are between 400 and 2500 kids in each of the 40+ schools in our county - and we don't have a huge populace. It would take forever to get this done. Schools are overwhelmed with just trying to get the basics in with fewer resources. I would guess that this is an issue that will die quickly when the politicians see the reality of what it takes to impliment it. Again, I just wanted to share my thoughts about the school side of this issue. Sheri In Sunny Florida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 And as you know Fay, you can teach your children what is right and wrong, good and bad, but once they leave the house.....you just have to hope what you taught them sticks! I know for a fact that her friends felt sorry for her that we didn't have ding dongs or candy in the house all the time and would give this stuff to her. Soda wasn't allowed. Water was good....sugar free Kool Aid... The OCCASIONAL soft drink was a treat not the usual. I would find soda cans hidden under her bed. Again her friends were feeling sorry for her. Then when she got allowances or baby sitting money....I had no control on how she spent what she didn't save. With those darn soda machines and stuff at schools...what are you going to do? I tried....shoot I was always on a diet, her Father was in the Navy so had to maintain his weight too. I cooked healthy...gained weight...lol but DARN IT.... We ate nice healthy foods. No frying...I am the queen of baked chicken and fish! Stir fry....I can do it with little oil (chicken broth works wonders when stir frying). Tried to use fresh ingredients as much as possible. I sometimes wonder where I went wrong...but sheesh......I gained on eating good. My skinny sister who eats JUNK food...WHEN she eats...is a twig and I ate less then she did! I turned to gourmet cooking, because I wanted GOOD tasting healthy food. And I gained weight. Husband maintained...daughter did too (at that time....before puberty), but I gained weight! So, I know it wasn't my cooking! Debbie & in Gig Harbor (170cm medial) ladybostons@... http://www.cafeshops.com/copsstore http://www.marykay.com/debbiemcneice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 Very interesting point. Not to mention that in some cases ... agreed probably not most ... there are extenuating circumstances. School districts often bend over backwards to accommodate those with learning disabilities. ... which opens a whole other can of worms. Could childhood obesity be considered a disability? If so, than it would be discrimination to have this noted on a report card. I can see the ACLU having a field day with this. Especially with the fact that so much in recent studies has been linking obesity to genetics. Re: Article - Kinda Long! > Absolutely! If a child who murders someone can have their record > expunged when they hit 18 years of age, why should some poor > overweight child have this painful disease follow him or her > throughout life? It's disgusting. > > in NJ > **************************** > > > , > > > > What bothers me, along with what you mentioned, is that report > cards > > are permanent records. This will follow a person for the rest of > > their lives. How about trying to get a job 10 yrs down the road? > > How would a college or prespective employer use this info? I > > believe that letters to a parent would be more realistic. > > > > Reba > > > > > > > Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG > > Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 State requirements become a laugh. State funding (or is it federal .. not sure) in New Jersey has now decided to count ketchup as a vegetable! go figure. And I wonder how much they will have to pay a supposed expert to check each child's lunch. When I taught in a public school with many low-income families who received state subsidized lunches the students often threw away the apples, celery and carrot sticks, etc. And had the money for the ice cream and other junk in the vending machines. The ice cream was one of the allowed junk foods in the vending machines because it has calcium in the milk. uh huh. yeh sure. They could also buy chips and pretzels and cookies out of the machines. And drinks filled with sugar. from NJ ----- Original Message ----- > In a message dated 8/31/03 10:54:49 PM Central Daylight Time, > cherish5@... writes: > > > So will they be telling parents what they can/cannot pack in their child's > > lunch? > > > > I had this happen to me when my son was in daycare!! There are state laws > regarding certain things that they must feed to the children, even if the parent > is bringing the lunch. I sent my toddler lowfat yogurt, lima beans (go > figure..the kiddo loved them then!), fruit and crackers. I got a nasty letter > saying that I must include a " protein source " in his lunch. I fired back and told > them that the yogurt and the beans WERE a protein source. They had to call > the state and get the " okay " to count the yogurt as protein. My neighbor, who > sent her kid Vienna sausages and potato chips had a perfectly acceptable, > state sanctioned lunch! > Beth > Houston, TX > VBG - Dr. Srungaram > 05/31/00 - 314 lbs. > 11/01/02 - Abdominoplasty > 11/29/02 - 160 lbs. > 5'10 > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 8/28/2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 In a message dated 9/1/2003 11:38:35 AM Central Daylight Time, ladybostons@... writes: > She exercises (doing 9 flights of stairs in her office building when she > arrives > and leaves) and walks with her co-workers at lunch. My heart is just hurting > for her. > ---------------------------------- > I have 4 girls. 2 are " normal. " So's their dad. 2 struggle constantly, but > so far (at 30 and 36) have managed to stay just slightly overweight. But let > me tell you, they are ALL very vigilant, having watched my own struggle. There > is not one bite of excess food in their homes--not even the " good " stuff. > And there are no " goodies. " They don't do sugar or milk except on rare > occasion. 3 of the 4 are nominal vegetarians but will sometimes eat fish. The 4th > won't touch red meat but eats lean poultry. They all exercise like fiends. Every > single day. Seems like a lot of work and sacrifice to just stay within > normal or nearly-normal bounds. I feel so sorry for them, even the 2 who take > after their dad. Bcuz even they watch every bite that goes into their mouths. It > just ain't fair and my heart hurts for them bcuz of that. Where is the fun if > you have to be so obsessed with weight? Once in awhile the 2 with " my " genes > will balloon up for a time and then my heart is in my mouth till they get a > grip again bcuz I worry SO that they will end up like their mom. Even WLS did > not end my struggle bcuz of the relaxed stoma. > > Carol A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2003 Report Share Posted September 3, 2003 Fay, I think you are the queen of the freudian slip! I loved this! In fact, I have a sister that is a real bother!! LOL! Hugs~ Jacque I have 1 sister and three bothers all thin to skinny. Fay Bayuk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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