What is the Lesson Here?

1st Grade Egg Drop - 2010

A schools requirement for good personal hygiene and child safety... Is cutting into their child's edjumacation!  
Our schools work hard to protect our children from strangers, contamination, health risks and discrimination. It would seem that if parents in Edgewater Florida have their way about it, some would be protected against the unreasonable requirement of washing their hands in school.

Schools are required to make accommodations for children with special needs, or disabilities, and in some cases this affects other children.  In Edgewater Florida, children in one class are required to wash their hands before entering the classroom and to keep their lunches in the hall outside the classroom. All of this because one of the students has a severe peanut allergy. 


These special life saving precautions have parents angry and protesting with signs in front of the school... With their children carrying signs right along with them! They are calling for the "disabled" students removal from the school because of the special accommodations that have infringed on the rights of their children. These poor SIX YEAR OLDS! Their children can't have treats in class like the other classrooms, they can't keep their lunches in the classroom like the other classes and as I said, they are required to wash their hands before entering the classroom, which amounts to twice daily. 


As a parent of a special needs child myself, I can imagine the stress this has put on the parents of the little girl who is the focus of all this. They have, as a result, pulled their little girl from school and gone into hiding. Last year my son experienced the same accommodations at school for a student in his class. So far he has not exhibited any signs of trauma from the experience. Perhaps he is immune because he has a sister with special needs. His little sister is also in first grade, just as the class affected in Florida, but she has Prader-Willi Syndrome. Or... Maybe parents in our city have a little more compassion for those struggling with disabilities and have taught their children to be compassionate as well. 


I read an interesting and timely quote today, shared by one of my friends on Facebook. "The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” - Tom Bodett

I can't help but wonder what the children are learning from their parents over this, in this Florida town, and what lesson will be learned by these protesting parents in the end. 

With my daughters syndrome, we have tried to avoid as many restrictions as possible at school, but food is a risk for her as well. Not from allergies, but a risk of stomach rupture. With Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) there is a constant hunger, among many other issues, and no amount of food will satisfy that hunger.  As a result, those with PWS are at risk of literally eating themselves to death. Those with PWS have been known to steal food, talk others into giving them food and even raiding the garbage cans for discarded food. Locks on refrigerators and food pantries are a requirement at home, as are locks on the doors to prevent exiting in some extreme cases.   

The world is seeing a rise in children affected by many issues, diseases, syndromes, ect., and it won't be long before protection in the schools will mean all classrooms are subject to special precautions.  With obesity on the rise, it is a wonder that food, treats and snacks in the classroom haven't already been prohibited, to add more time and focus on learning.  It has already begun in one of the schools here where I have two children.  

With the growing risk of so many potential health issues, one way to protect our children when their not in school, is through healthier choices and a healthier "greener" lifestyle. Shaklee products really are a great way to start. When it comes to nature, natural, my family, and especially my little girl who has Prader-Willi Syndrome, I trust Shaklee products to give me added hope for the future.

Terry Guinn, A Healthier You Too

Treat your family to the quality products they deserve. Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, Shaklee Independent Distributor, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

Shakleebaby & Shakleekids