Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Culture, Religion, & Diet I taught fifth graders in a public school in a military community. Each year, (to my delight)the principal assigned me as many Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students(CLDS)as he could. One year Shalma, an Islamic student, joined the class in the spring. She was the first known Islamic student to enroll in the school. Two pertinent facts: 1. Salma wore the traditional Hijab and abaya each day. 2. I had informed the cafeteria staff about Salma's dietary laws and needs(including that fact that she was not to even touch unclean foods nor eat anything that touched it). One day Shalma was served ham in the cafeteria. She explained that she could not eat it and was told, "Well, just take it off and eat the rest." Quantasha, an African American peer who was next in line told Ms. Deb, the cafeteria staff member, "She can't just take it off. It's unclean to her. You have to make her a new lunch. Quantasha was sent to the principal's office for disrespecting Ms. Deb, and the whole class was put on silent lunch. When I returned, I inquired of the paraprofessional in charge why the class was given silent lunch. She informed me that they were loud and rude to the lunchroom staff. What can be done to prevent this kind of situation from happening? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I would suggest that the cafeteria staff should attend a meeting for education on the different dietary laws for varying cultures. I would also have Ms. Deb apologize to both students. Just because she is the adult does not mean she was wrong and she should apologize for the situation.