Vent- I am NOT the cafeteria!

luvschoolnursing, LPN · Nov 13, 2008

I do keep snacks for my kids, I just make sure they're not TOO good. Pretzels are good, and cheap, since I have to buy anything myself. That way, if they truly couldn't have bfk, I can give them something but it's not so good they want to come back. Pretzels are also good for my pregnant students who are queezy.

CapNurse09 · Nov 13, 2008

1. Maybe there's no food at home and maybe he hasn't had anything to eat since his free/reduced meal from yesterday

2. Maybe he's trying to tell you something else ...

3. Maybe he has no money to be responsible with ... like buying himself a snack or something to eat

Give the kid some crackers

Aneroo, LPN · Nov 13, 2008

1. Maybe there's no food at home and maybe he hasn't had anything to eat since his free/reduced meal from yesterday
2. Maybe he's trying to tell you something else ...
3. Maybe he has no money to be responsible with ... like buying himself a snack or something to eat
Give the kid some crackers

I still have students coming to me for food because the nurse before me gave out snacks. He comes strutting into my office DEMANDING food.

This is why I almost didn't post this. I did think about those things...

ETA- Yes, there are the ones who have legitimate problems and don't eat at home. I'm also seeing a lot of manipulative teens who want to see how far they can push me and see what they can get away with. I see a whole lot more of them than the ones with legit problems.

mustlovepoodles, RN · Nov 13, 2008

Many of my students' parents work shift work, so often there's no parent home in the morning; Kids sleep late and run out the door to catch the bus without a second to spare. 90% of my students are on free breakfast, but often they skip it because they say they don't like what is offered (sausage bisquits, waffles, fruit, eggs, grits, cold cereal, you know--the usual.)

This is how I handle it: I give them 4 crackers and water. That's enough to keep them from starving until (free)lunch. If I see them more than twice, I give them crackers and water AND I make a call to the social worker. She is in a better position than I am to find out more about the home situation. Most of the time we find out that students *do* have food at home, it's just not Lucky Charms or Toaster Strudel. It's grits, oatmeal, peanut butter, cheese, and leftover tortillas. Good food, they just don't want it.

Incidently, I found a virtually free source of crackers in my school--teachers! We always have an entree salad as one of our school lunch choices. Many of our teachers eat the salad, but they were throwing away their little packs of crackers. I made an appeal and now I have a steady flow of fresh crackers to my mailbox.

mustlovepoodles, RN · Nov 13, 2008

I still have students coming to me for food because the nurse before me gave out snacks. He comes strutting into my office DEMANDING food.
This is why I almost didn't post this. I did think about those things...
ETA- Yes, there are the ones who have legitimate problems and don't eat at home. I'm also seeing a lot of manipulative teens who want to see how far they can push me and see what they can get away with. I see a whole lot more of them than the ones with legit problems.

That would absolutely NOT fly with me. Is this something that happens frequently? If so, I'd let his principal know. There is not reason for him to demand anything of you, even if the other nurse gave out free bags of gold!

I had the same problem when I first started. Our school had gone through a long period of substitute clinic help (non-licensed.) There were a lot of bad habits and loose rules. I had to really make a clean sweep. Thankfully, the principal was in my corner. The teachers thought I was a snot the first 6 months, but now they are (mostly) singing my praises.

With teens you really do have to walk a fine line. They can be very manipulative, but they also can have some pretty serious problems. It's hard to keep the balance you need, especially when you feel like you're paddling upstream.

Aneroo, LPN · Nov 14, 2008

Incidently, I found a virtually free source of crackers in my school--teachers! We always have an entree salad as one of our school lunch choices. Many of our teachers eat the salad, but they were throwing away their little packs of crackers. I made an appeal and now I have a steady flow of fresh crackers to my mailbox.

We take the crackers from our salads when we go out to eat. LOL

Aneroo, LPN · Nov 14, 2008

That would absolutely NOT fly with me. Is this something that happens frequently? If so, I'd let his principal know. There is not reason for him to demand anything of you, even if the other nurse gave out free bags of gold!
I had the same problem when I first started. Our school had gone through a long period of substitute clinic help (non-licensed.) There were a lot of bad habits and loose rules. I had to really make a clean sweep. Thankfully, the principal was in my corner. The teachers thought I was a snot the first 6 months, but now they are (mostly) singing my praises.
With teens you really do have to walk a fine line. They can be very manipulative, but they also can have some pretty serious problems. It's hard to keep the balance you need, especially when you feel like you're paddling upstream.

The girl that was here before- love her. But she was much more motherly than I am. I don't sugarcoat a lot of things, and the teachers and a lot of students respect that. Kids would come to her constantly for snacks and soda. They've taken the snack machine out of the staff lounge for this reason. I've had students come down without any complaints and just want something to eat (after lunch) "because that other nurse used to give us food".

bergren · Nov 15, 2008

If kids are coming to you for food, they are either:

1. hungry

2. need an excuse to see a caring adult

3. to check you out, to see if you are "available" to listen to another sensitive problem

4. the other reasons listed

Hunger is a health issue and gets in the way of learning big time. If the buses are late, the breakfast program should create grab and go bags should be made up for those students.

Article in NYTimes today:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE2D9123FF931A15755C0A96E948260

A Boston study that provides the first clear link between an improvement in pupils' academic performance and their participation in the Federal School Breakfast Program has helped begin a national movement to double the number of schools offering free and reduced-price breakfasts.