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Posted on October 12, 2016 5:18 pm
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yZytaz
yZytaz
Reps: 201
Lunch time
I have a student who comes to class without a lunch 2/5 days a week. Stating he either forgot his lunch or his parents forgot to give him money. What should I do?
 
     
     
 
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Solution 1
Posted October 14, 2016 5:41 pm

Husava
Husava
Reps: 180
This is a very trick and sad case because no child should be without food and maybe the parent just does not have the money to give the child food in hopes that he will get food for free at school The first thing I will do is look up all the resources the school system offers to low income families. Growing up in a family of 8 I applied for reduces/free lunch and received it all school year long. Once I have the resources prepared I will talk to the parent about the issue of there child not having lunch 2/5 days a week in the most respectful tone. I will inform them about the reduce/free lunch and if they are interested in it the form will be in the child's take home work and all they have to do it fill it out and return the next day.
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Jenna Herberson
Jenna Herberson
Reps: 200
I agree with this solution.
  Posted on: March 6, 2017 9:19 pm

yLeQud
yLeQud
Reps: 101
i agree with looking up what resources the school has to offer.
  Posted on: October 14, 2017 10:31 pm

WeDyje
WeDyje
Reps: 100
I agree with this solution
  Posted on: July 8, 2018 1:35 pm

buQyme
buQyme
Reps: 115
Yes this is a great solution! And now a days a lot of schools have free lunch for students so it is even better now!
  Posted on: February 21, 2019 7:56 pm

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Solution 2
Posted February 25, 2017 7:17 pm

nydyra
nydyra
Reps: 202
Have a conference with the student first to find out why he's not eating, exactly. Is he really forgetting? Does he even care that he doesn't have a lunch? Is maybe he doing this on purpose because he doesn't want to eat? All very important questions.

If this is not the case, look to administration for guidance on how to help the student be better prepared for lunch. Does he qualify for free/reduced lunches? Is there a way to make sure his lunch is paid for ahead of time so he doesn't have to worry about forgetting money?

Also, you may want to try to set something up with the parents to ensure his food is either delivered if forgotten or pre-paid for.
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Solution 3
Posted February 21, 2017 9:55 pm

uJuPyS
uJuPyS
Reps: 202
I would contact the parents to see what is going on. If possible, keep snacks in your room so the student has something to eat.
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Solution 4
Posted February 22, 2017 6:31 pm

Gytusa
Gytusa
Reps: 205
I would first consult with the student and try and understand the real reason behind why he has not brought in lunches. If the student does not feel comfortable talking, I would do the research myself. Find out what you can do as a teacher to help the student receive the free or reduced lunch and breakfast at your school. Maybe write a note to the parents explaining the free breakfast and lunch program.
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yzujyV
yzujyV
Reps: 198
If I were in this situation, I would do exactly this. The parents definitely need to be informed about the situation.
  Posted on: February 19, 2018 11:45 pm

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Solution 5
Posted February 24, 2017 6:24 pm

gyVyPe
gyVyPe
Reps: 250
I would first try and email the parents about the given situation. I may offer to send home a free and reduced lunch form if the parents said they are having trouble. I may even offer the student some of my money to buy lunch or offer some of the snacks I may keep in my room.
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Solution 6
Posted February 20, 2017 11:39 pm

uQaMeV
uQaMeV
Reps: 200
First I would call the parents or write a letter home and ask the parents to explain the situation. If they need help, I would refer them to the caseworker so they could apply for lunch assistance. I would also have extra snacks in my classroom for this purpose because I know sometimes kids will forget and they will get hungry. I would also make sure that he is not being bullied for his lunch money by keeping a watch out for him.
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Solution 7
Posted February 27, 2017 3:13 am

Hedese
Hedese
Reps: 202
I would keep snacks in the classroom to give to the student and if this becomes more of an issue, contact the parent.
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Solution 8
Posted February 21, 2017 6:29 pm

ytupyQ
ytupyQ
Reps: 208
This is so tricky because it is impossible to teach a hungry students. I would try contacting the parents. First start with an agenda letter to the parents. If that does not work I would for sure and call home for an explanation.
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Solution 9
Posted October 15, 2016 12:48 am

aDaWaV
aDaWaV
Reps: 227
The first thing I would do would be to talk to the student and ask why he doesn't have a lunch everyday and if there was anything I could do to help.
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Solution 10
Posted July 10, 2017 3:38 am

qyGaQa
qyGaQa
Reps: 173
See if the student is able to qualify for free/reduced lunch at the school so even if he forgets his lunch, he will still be able to eat in the cafeteria and not have to go hungry for majority of the day.
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Solution 11
Posted October 2, 2017 8:50 pm

uzebyn
uzebyn
Reps: 200
Some schools offer a free lunch. I would speak with his parents about filling out this form. If they do not return it , Our school will still offer a free choice. I also think that I would discuss him/ her packing there own lunch as a possibility. Depending on the situation at home this could be an option.
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Solution 12
Posted October 3, 2017 2:24 pm

eguByp
eguByp
Reps: 102
If i were in this situation I would send home a free and reduced lunch form. I may even offer the student some of the snacks I may keep in my room.
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eguByp
eguByp
Reps: 102
I agree with this solution
  Posted on: October 3, 2017 2:25 pm

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Solution 13
Posted October 3, 2017 5:25 pm

GyNyzu
GyNyzu
Reps: 200
First , I would make sure the child is eating. There are school lunches and the community is aware that shaming a child for not having resources for any reason is unacceptable. I would let the parents know via verbal and written communication that the student has been utilizing the lunch program. Give the parent info on who to speak to regarding lunch arrangements.
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Solution 14
Posted October 3, 2017 11:21 pm

yneLaH
yneLaH
Reps: 202
Document this each time. Find alternatives from the school by either providing the student with money, lunch, or school lunch. After a few occasions, show your documentation to an administrator. This is ultimately child neglect, and should not be taken lightly.
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Solution 15
Posted October 5, 2017 5:04 pm

yheGeS
yheGeS
Reps: 200
I'm sure the child is hungry, I would maybe keep some snacks in the room that you can give to this child during lunch so he or she is not left without a lunch. Also, I would get with the parents to see what is going and maybe let the parents know the child is "forgetting" his or her lunch money but is hungry. Something should be able to get worked out for this child.
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Solution 16
Posted October 9, 2017 1:25 am

vugage
vugage
Reps: 201
I would talk to the school about getting him on free/reduced lunch. That way he has no excuse not to eat during lunch time. His lunch is free and all he has to do is show up in the lunch line.
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Solution 17
Posted October 13, 2017 3:01 am

Xaparu
Xaparu
Reps: 201
Since this is a problem that seems to happen a lot calling his parents to see if he is telling the truth would be a good thing. If it is maybe the school can work with his parents to maybe put money in his lunch account or giving him a free lunch.
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Solution 18
Posted October 3, 2018 1:59 am

DuTepy
DuTepy
Reps: 201
So often times, children who say this just don't want to admit that they don't have food at their house to bring to school or their parents didn't pack them one. As a teacher, I would never let a student not eat lunch. I think the best thing to do would be buy them a lunch, then contact their parents and inform them that if they cannot provide a lunch, that there are accommodations that can be made with the school.
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Solution 19
Posted October 5, 2018 6:10 pm

yGapeW
yGapeW
Reps: 202
I would keep snacks in the room just incase. Talk to the parents and see if you can arrange something. If they don't have money, you could try to help get free lunch services for the student.
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Solution 20
Posted February 24, 2019 9:44 pm

Jean J
Jean J
Reps: 200
I would definitely get them a school lunch but I would also let admin know what has been going on. I would call the parents to see if they would like for the student to have free or reduced lunches.
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Solution 21
Posted October 13, 2019 8:04 pm

ugyqyd
ugyqyd
Reps: 203
I agree with looking into the free/reduced lunch. Try keepings nut free snacks in the class as well.
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Solution 22
Posted March 1, 2021 12:57 am

VySePu
VySePu
Reps: 202
If there is a way the student can get a free lunch provided by the school then the parents and student never have to remember a lunch.
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Solution 23
Posted April 17, 2022 10:47 pm

SaZaLa
SaZaLa
Reps: 103
Speak with the cafeteria staff about getting the student a lunch. There are free options for students across the nation.
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Solution 24
Posted March 2, 2024 10:25 pm

uNaBuT
uNaBuT
Reps: 200
I would reach out to the guidance office or admin to see if they can make contact home or have a plan in place. Sometimes pulling a student aside can embarrass them or even embarrass the parents depending on their situation. I would have a secret stash of uncrustables or lunchables in my mini fridge that I would have ready for the kids who didnt have lunch, but that came out of my own pocket. Sometimes it is a matter of the parents being so preoccupied with siblings or their job that they forget about something like lunch. Sometimes it is a matter of funds. The school should also have an emergency plan in place if a student is unable to afford lunch. Talk to the office and see if they have a solution before reaching out to the parents/guardians.
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Solution 25
Posted February 20, 2017 11:14 pm

Mynuqy
Mynuqy
Reps: 100
Contact the parents and try to find a solution together.
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Solution 26
Posted February 20, 2017 11:41 pm

aMyvaz
aMyvaz
Reps: 201
I would contact the parents to see what is going on. Maybe you can set up a checklist for the student to do before leaving his house in the morning to help him remember his lunch.
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Solution 27
Posted February 26, 2017 3:24 am

aZunet
aZunet
Reps: 100
something you can do is send notes home to the parents and ask them if they need help. and if they do have some services the family can have to get the help they need.
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