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Alabama School Shames 3rd Grader Over Lunch Money
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/06/14/3788290/gardendale-alabama-stamp-3rd-graders-arm-school-lunches/A 3rd grader at Gardendale Elementary School in Gardendale, Alabama was recently sent home with a stamp on his arm reading, “I Need Lunch Money.” The message was intended for his parents, who are outraged the school didn’t alert them to the issue in a more discreet way.
Nez Calhoun, director of public information for Jefferson County Schools, told ThinkProgress that stamps of that sort are “pretty standard across the district.”
“They get a stamp to notify the parents,” Calhoun said. “We’ll call, write letters — whichever way — but all children get stamps when (their accounts) are at zero dollars to get awareness up.”
The 8-year-old’s father, Jon Bivens, told ThinkProgress that his son actually still had $1.38 left in his account when he was sent home with the stamp during the last week of the school year. Calhoun acknowledged a “software glitch” might’ve resulted in a mix-up. That aside, Bivens is stunned the district didn’t use a different means to get in touch.
Nez Calhoun, director of public information for Jefferson County Schools, told ThinkProgress that stamps of that sort are “pretty standard across the district.”
“They get a stamp to notify the parents,” Calhoun said. “We’ll call, write letters — whichever way — but all children get stamps when (their accounts) are at zero dollars to get awareness up.”
The 8-year-old’s father, Jon Bivens, told ThinkProgress that his son actually still had $1.38 left in his account when he was sent home with the stamp during the last week of the school year. Calhoun acknowledged a “software glitch” might’ve resulted in a mix-up. That aside, Bivens is stunned the district didn’t use a different means to get in touch.
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