"Teachers are here to teach not to tell parents what to feed their kids at school," says one principal! (Part one)

Mr K was one principal who strived to run a fair school. He believed that everyone was answerable for their behaviours including his staff. He worked hard to have a functional partnership with teachers and parents for the benefit of the kids. He was aware that his fellow principal colleagues defended his teachers to parents but he did not. If any of his staff upset parents Mr K directed them to meetings to give their explanations.

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Misunderstandings and misinterpretations happen! Sometimes a teacher was in the wrong. Sometimes a parent. Meetings were a good place to clarify actions, clearing the air meant moving ahead. Of course, he would talk to teachers before the meetings working through their intentions and the resulting impact on parents. He wanted them on his side before he was forced into cracking the whip stage.

After the third parent talked to him about the grade 3 teacher sending demeaning lunchbox notes home the principal decided he needed to confront Miss D, a new teacher. He wanted her to be aware that while he supported the government green and healthy policy through the tuck shop healthy food menu there was no policing lunch boxes. It was his decision, each principal had the power to decide. Teachers do not tell parents how to feed their children. They must not be judge and jury.

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Mr K had three primary aged children of his own, he knew how difficult it was to keep children eating a good healthy diet. One was particularly strong willed and wanted chips and Little Teddy biscuits to eat at school. His wife spent Sunday cooking biscuits and cakes for school lunches. Homemade pizza and chips were the treats on a Friday night.

Mr K wanted teachers to look out for children who did not have lunch. Free sandwiches and fruit were always available for these kids. Breakfast was also served each school morning for any child who missed breakfast at home, no questions asked.

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Teachers are to put their energy into teaching telling Miss D that he and the deputy principal would be visiting her class regularly to observe her. He also advised her strongly that she either write an apology note to the three lots of parents or she meet with them in a formal meeting in his office and verbally apologising. If she chose writing the note option he wanted to see the note and co- sign it before she sent it home to the parents. All teacher written communication to parents must go through the office.

Cheers and Blessings