This letter is from Cindi Sodolski about CPS' new breakfast program:

Dear fellow parents,
 
As you may know, our school is one of the 299 CPS elementary schools that are scheduled to roll out the Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) program this spring. For example, it is rolling out at Bell Elementary the week of May 15.

With the BIC program, CPS will supply each elementary-school student with a breakfast that is to be eaten in his or her classroom at the beginning of every school day. (See links below for news stories about the program.)

Will you join me in voicing your concerns about the Breakfast in the Classroom program? You can speak up via an online petition (see below) or by attending the CPS board meeting this Wednesday morning, March 23.
 
Although I applaud efforts to ensure that no child goes hungry, I believe that the Breakfast in the Classroom program is not the right solution. Our school’s current breakfast program, which takes place before school starts, outside the classroom, provides a free breakfast for any student who wants to start the school day with a full stomach.
 
I am hoping that the Chicago Board of Education will consider waiting to roll out the program until the issues below are addressed. Here are some of my concerns:

It would endanger children who have food allergies — either diagnosed or undiagnosed.
It would cut into instructional time.
It creates waste, both in terms of food and food packaging.
It might lead to overeating (and perhaps obesity) in kids who already eat breakfast at home.
It would create unsanitary conditions and might lead to a greater pest-control problem.
It takes the choice of what to feed children away from their parents.

Of the issues above, perhaps the most compelling reason is this: The BIC program would create a potentially dangerous environment for more than 11,000 CPS students who are allergic to foods that contain ingredients such as peanuts, dairy or egg. In fact, you probably know at least one child in your child’s classroom who would be in danger with this program. Some of them merely need to touch a surface that has traces of an allergen such as milk or egg to have an allergic reaction.

More than 1,000 parents of children at CPS schools have already expressed their concerns about the program to the Board of Education. However, the Board of Ed is planning to roll out the program without addressing those concerns. Principals and other CPS staff/faculty have been notified that failing to implement the BIC program could lead to termination.
 
If you, too, believe there is a better way to make sure Chicago’s school-children are eating breakfast, I encourage you to do the following:

Add your name to this online petition:

Join other concerned parents at the next Board of Education meeting: Wednesday, March 23


Thank you for whatever you can do to help in this effort.
 
Cindi Sodolski (Nate’s mom)

News stories about the CPS Breakfast in the Classroom program:

Breakfast time and Education Will Pay

Cps Looking to expand Breakfast in the classrooms

Chicago Public schools to offer free breakfast to all students