From the Rockford Register-Star.
When Stephen Mack Middle School started offering chef salads at lunch this year, they sold like hot cakes.
So much so, the school had to a hire another cafeteria worker to prepare them.
Pop sales at Stephen Mack and Rockton’s other public schools are down; students and teachers are buying more bottled water, sports drinks and juice.
Some principals are removing vending machines. In Rockford, cafeterias offer pieces of fresh fruit free of charge.
Local educators say they don’t need Gov. Rod Blagojevich to tell them to become more nutrition-conscious, and his latest proposal to ban junk-food sales in the state’s public schools lacks substance.
“Right now, there are bigger issues to deal with than whether or not we’re serving junk food in school,†Rockton Superintendent Jean Harezlak said.
“I’ll deal with that issue. Help me figure out how I’m going to replace roofs and mechanical heating and ventilation systems. That’s the kind of help I need from the people in Springfield.â€
Junk food, video games and tattoos have been targeted so far by the governor. One can’t help wonder what will be next.
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 6:10 am:
Either Fox or Msnbc ran a piece yesterday that said soda pop sales in schools are down 24 per cent.If that is true maybe the Gov. needs to turn his attention to ways to better fund our schools.
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 6:29 am:
Maybe they could borrow a few billion to make up for the loss of revenue. And since the loss of revenue is all Topinka’s fault, it will be easy for Mike and Emil to cave in and give him what he wants.
It’s best for Illinois, don’t you know.
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 6:31 am:
Not only do we need dollars to fix the roofs, we need dollars to put teachers in the classroom. We need to lower the elementary class sizes from 35 to 28. We can’t do that with soda pop.
Superintendent Harezlak is correct. Someone needs to tell the emporer he’s naked.
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 7:34 am:
tongue rings and girl gone wild videos
- Roy Slade - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 8:21 am:
Shoot- the boygov brings up an issue- and it’s now fixed! Just another success story for this administration. Next we fix the problems of too many soda machines in the capitol building. (”That will teach those drunken sailors”).
- Cal Skinner - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 8:27 am:
The weight of back packs is probably in line.
Wasn’t a bill introduced on that already in Illinois?
- Lori - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 8:38 am:
OMG 6:31am….you just made my day!!! Your quote “Someone needs to tell the emporer he’s naked” is a classic!!! I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time and it has been a crappy week!! Whoever you are I love you!! Keep up the great work!!
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 8:48 am:
Rockford Schools should be commended. They are ahead of the curve. However, as an educator the school I teach at is quite the opposite. I have asked my superintendent to move more towards heathly food time and time again to no avail. I am glad the state is working on this.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 9:15 am:
For starters, the Rockford Education Association and it’s statewide umbrella could stop being a tool of the Republican party and its steadfast opposition to education funding reform.
- Bluefish - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 9:30 am:
Yellow Dog…what is “education funding reform” to you? Is it just the tax swap introduced over the past several sessions that would increase the flow of money into schools without any controls as to how that money is spent? One that takes thousands of dollars out of my pocket with absolutely no assurances that my children will receive any benefit whatsoever? Or is it a balanced approach where school administrators and teachers are held accountable for tangible, measurable results and taxpayers actually see a return on their increased investment?
Considering what I read from you in the past, I’d bet you favor the tax increase/no accountablity option.
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 10:02 am:
Say what you will about G-Rod, but he got 25,000 more kids into preschool programs and well over $2 billion into schools. Riddle me that one. If Ryan, Topinka, Edgar and the whole lot hadn’t underfunded the pensions by tens of billions, we’d be able to use that money for schools instead. Priorties folks!
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 10:10 am:
Anon 8:48am…..
I trust that school is not in session today in your district. I’m sure many parents would be disappointed to find that an educator would be posting his/her political views on a blog during the time designated for educating their children. I’m guessing you’re not an educator…but it sounded good at the time, right?
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 11:17 am:
anon 10:10
I bet you’re in the office as well? Perhaps your boss wouldn’t been too keen about what you’re doing either, but it sounded good at the time, right?
- Anonymous - Friday, Dec 2, 05 @ 11:35 am:
I don’t like the governor. But I think that even if it is a bully pulpit issue obesity in children and nutrition against fast and junk food is a legitimate issue even if for public awareness. I question most politicians motivations but if this brings some awareness and results than good.