Junk Food in the Classroom: Should Teachers Get Involved?

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2017 Issue

By Martha Beach

A Grade 2 student shows up to school with dried cereal for lunch. She seems a bit lethargic, though she gobbles the cereal up. She is otherwise happy and doing well academically and socially. But she only brings dried cereal for lunch every single day. What should a teacher do in this situation?

This is what Camelia Marks faced in her Grade 2 French-immersion class in a lower-income neighbourhood in Toronto. “I didn’t know what the situation was,” Marks says. So she called the student’s dad, told him what she had noticed, and expressed concern.

“Turns out [the student] was a really picky eater and wouldn’t touch anything except dry cereal,” Marks explains. It was either she eats dry cereal at school, or nothing at all. “One day, another kid took out nine cookies! I said, ‘Just have two. Pack the rest up.’ And I called his parents too. Turns out Mom didn’t know.”

Lunch box policing and food bans have been a hot topic in the past couple years. There have been news reports, editorials, and blog posts written about apple bans, treat bans, teachers not allowing students to eat certain foods or sending home notes about appropriate snacks.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Martha Beach lives and works in Toronto as a freelance fact-checker, editor, and writer for a wide variety of publications. When she’s not working, you’ll find Martha on her yoga mat or hanging out with her daughter and husband.

Education News

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Girls Experienced Disproportionate Setbacks in STEM Skills Post-COVID

COVID-19 has been an unequal crisis, disrupting learning more deeply for some student groups than others.

For 8th Straight Year, 100% of Success Academy Grads Accepted to 4-Year Colleges

66% of students were accepted to selective institutions. Graduates were awarded more than $20 million in financial aid.

Join Our Newsletter

Get 10% off a subscription, monthly giveaways, and the latest updates—straight to your inbox!

Martha Beach
Martha Beach
Martha Beach lives and works in Toronto as a freelance fact-checker, editor, and writer for a wide variety of publications. When she’s not working, you’ll find Martha on her yoga mat or hanging out with her daughter and husband.

Advertisement

Read More

The Power of Music and Melody: Using Songs to Engage Young Learners

By harnessing the power of music, teachers can create a lively and dynamic atmosphere that also improves concentration, focus, and retention.

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

Real (and Really Funny) Math

I'm an author of math books, which may sound like a dry job, but that’s exactly why I do it. It’s my goal to show kids that math can be fun (and funny!)

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Exploring Indigenous Culture Through the Senses: A Transformative Learning Experience

At McKenzie Towne School in Alberta, students are learning through touch, scent, and sound with the Indigenous Sensory Box Project.

The Positive Impacts of Computer Science: What Every Teacher and Administrator Should Know

After working as both a teacher and an administrator, I know how much of a difference it can make when school leaders truly appreciate the power of computer science.
the albuquerque downs racetrack & casino | las vegas casino png | quá khứ của win | code fifa online 4 | reactoonz slot | vietlott 22 2 22 | casino online tgtub | cách viết thư upu năm 2023 | casino plus | mơ thấy rắn trắng | casino mit sepa lastschrift | Hội Viên M8win | indian casinos in oklahoma | bảng đặc biệt 500 ngày | beach life slot | chuyển nhượng chelsea | kynu hentai | tân suất loto | new slots 2017 | tao dan 2d | phay buc ket ban | best slots in atlantic city | casino 888 app | slot | empire game | đặc biệt tuần tháng năm | lịch thi đấu lck 2021 | winbet casino az | tyle nhacai | secret of the stones slot game | poisoned apple slot | socvip 3 club | william hill slots | tải vichat | mr green casino erfahrung | bảng phong thần 2006 | freispiele casino | best online casinos for us players | đánh bạc casino | campuchia casino | casino sound effects | xổ số ngày 27 tháng 12 | vtv16 | casino organization | canon 2900 driver 32 bit | phim casino royale | grand sierra resort and casino reno nv | sheraton saigon casino | online casino marketing strategy | circus circus hotel casino reno nevada | casino blu ray | cài đặt shopee | lazađa | soi cau tg | hoiana casino | antique slot machines | iosgods | casino with poker tables near me | u23 việt nam vs u23 croatia | game slot đổi thưởng | vegas casinos | free cash no deposit casino | live casino malaysia |