I finally got around to doing something about the lunches at my son’s day care. I had to turn in a bunch of annual forms. So I wrote them a letter about the food, which I dropped off on last week Monday with my son and the rest of what they needed.
Writing a letter was my preferred choice because I’m not confrontational. I may share some bold opinions online, but I’m more reserved in person. I’m also the kind of person who is easily railroaded in real life and since I had to give them other stuff, sending a letter seemed like a reasonable option. Getting everything on paper was a way for me to organize my thoughts without having the emotional defensiveness that sometimes comes with face-to-face interactions.
I structured my letter purposefully with a compliment, then a suggestion, and then I closed with positive comments. I started out thanking them for taking such care with my son’s food and allergies. There hasn’t been a screw-up since he moved into the “big boy room” and I’m really grateful.
The meat of the letter was focused a suggestion. I wondered if they would ever survey families to find out what they think of the food served. I mentioned that other mothers had been frustrated with the serving of ice cream as well as other menu items, which I couldn’t remember. Every few months my son’s friends and their moms go on a playdate. Inevitably in our discussions about the day care, food comes up. They haven’t been 100% happy. I figured that parents had no way of expressing those opinions to the day care without coming off as “bitchy.” Lots of parents think things they never don’t share.
I mentioned in my letter that they could do a pen and paper survey or an online survey through surveymonkey.com, which tabulates results. Then I closed the letter by thanking them for everything they do for the kids.
By the way, they have no idea about this blog. I did mention to one of his former caregivers that I was writing a book about school lunch. I guess that might be enough for them to know, but no one has ever mentioned it.
Later that day, the day care called me on my cell phone at work…
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What happened next?!
ahhh so suspenseful!!!!
I've had similar discussions with the director at my school and while I'm still not a huge fan of some of the choices, they have been revising the menu to include choices that are similar to what I pack for my daughter each day (I pack her lunch since she is gluten and dairy free).
Good luck!
I too can't wait to hear the rest of this. My kids are starting day care and big boy school in the fall. So I am reading with rapt anticipation.
I hope that you will mention some of the questions in the survey. And also what level of participation there was among the parents. I would be curious HOW MANY of the parents were unhappy with the food.
I also want to know what happened next!
My guess is they've been following fedupwithschoollunch without realizing it's you, and they're thinking of changing the menus….
Can't wait for part two!!!
>:|
NO FAIR MRS. Q!!!
hahaha
Teeeeeell uuuuuus!
Evil cliffhanging wench!!
. . .
Oh my gawd…I just had a "Between The Lions" flashback.
"Cliff Hanger…hanging from a cliff. And that's Why they call him Cliff Hanger!!"
P.S. I want to thank you sincerely for having fairly legible captcha's. I've had to flip through ten or so on other sites before I find one I can copy at times. (Dyslexic and very very very nearsighted and I need a new glasses script.) Your Captcha is a joy to confirm that I am indeed, a huma…I mean resident of this planet. Yes. Indeed.
Carry on!
Can't wait to read part two!
I'm Korean American and I showed an intern at my work (she's from Korea) school lunches served at your school (which are very similar to what I was served in my elementary school in Illinois) and she was so shocked.
http://koo616111.blog.me/110106591791
These are the typical school lunches served in Korea. I don't know if you've ever tried Korean food, but those lunches look so yummy!
tease!
I hate cliffhangers!!!! 🙂
Can't wait to hear what happened!
and then, and then, and then??? 😀
Ahhh! I can't wait to hear what the phone call was about!
I was going to finish part two tonight, but I ran out of steam. I'll put it up next week on Tuesday! By then it will be better written! Sometimes 30-60 minutes is not enough to draft a decent blog post! 🙂
I'm eager to hear as well!! My kids' school (preschool through kindergarten) made a lot of healthy changes this year. Our local public school district did, too (very thankful for that since my daugher starts public school in the fall). I wrote about the changes at my kids' school:
http://blog.fitcityindy.org/explorers-healthy-school/
http://blog.fitcityindy.org/explorers-healthy-menu/
Dying to know more about that phone call!
Ohhh..I need to know what happens. I work at a daycare and am appalled by most of the things they are served. Do tell me how nachos (processed cheese and chips) or mini donuts is a good snack? It makes no sense to me. Wish I could be bold enough to write a note.
http://veggieandthemeatlover.blogspot.com
To Hi I'm Emaline:
Could be worse.. at the day care I used to work at, they would give kids in the 1 year old room 2 donut holes for breakfast. To say I was appalled is an understatement of epic proportions.
Hi,
I am a daycare cook. I would love to hear good ideas. I am very frustrated right now. I put in an order with my head cook..she is in another center, we are a satellite center…and I don’t get all I ordered. I have no fresh fruit for the next week! Just cucumbers!