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Essential Homework for School Officials
THINK before finalizing policies on delinquent school lunch fees!
As Cherry Hill, NJ school officials ponder the dilemma of what to do about families who owe for those yummy school lunches, they’ve discussed areas of concerns and possible steps, according to the Sept. 11 Philadelphia Inquirer article by Melanie Burney. Among their bright ideas — a mandatory meeting with parents.
That’s an improvement over tuna sandwiches, threatening to turn them over to debt collectors or calling in child welfare authorities. An in-person session could be good, or bad. For those of us with negative school experiences etched in our memories, this could be frightening. Is that the purpose? Scare them into never falling into arrears again? May I suggest…
A kind, astute school official could privately, respectfully, but firmly, inquire as to the family’s current situation. Are they experiencing financial hardships? Is their housing secure? Or are they, like millions of others, experiencing housing insecurity, possibly homelessness?
If the in-person session happens, and you discover the student (and their family) is homeless, be prepared! This revelation will likely bring several possible reactions from the parents: shame, fear, trauma. And it would be helpful, and the decent…
