Comments for Beach Parents Organization (BPO) | Piedmont, CA http://beachparents.wordpress.com The BPO serves the Egbert Beach Elementary school in Piedmont, CA Thu, 08 May 2008 19:59:58 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Green Tip of the Week: Safe and Unsafe Plastics by annshep@swbell.net http://beachparents.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/green-tip-of-the-week-safe-and-unsafe-plastics/#comment-90 annshep@swbell.net Thu, 08 May 2008 19:59:58 +0000 http://beachparents.wordpress.com/?p=59#comment-90 Thought you'd like to read this!! Ann Thought you’d like to read this!! Ann

]]> Comment on Hot Lunch Program at Beach by Sandy Rappaport http://beachparents.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/hot-lunch-program-at-beach-2/#comment-82 Sandy Rappaport Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:38:27 +0000 http://beachparents.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-82 This new program sounds ideal and will be a wonderful improvement. Kimberly has done a fabulous job of summarizing the benefits of the proposed program and I agree with every one of them. Our family would welcome the opportunity to buy lunch more often, especially lunches that would be more well-balanced and way more appealing than anything I prepare myself. The idea of not having to prepare lunches every day makes me so happy that I am smiling as I type this. I know that there are many other two-working-parent families like ours who have had the exact same reaction. The current program has been great - we always look forward to Fridays and I've enjoyed being there the times that I've helped out - but it takes too many hours and has been a big burden on the same generous few who make themselves available for so much volunteering all over the school. With respect to the financial hardship/embarassment issue, I suspect that moving to a 5-day a week program as opposed to a 1-day a week program will be a positive -- when lunch is an option every single day, it is not the "special event" that it is on Fridays -- an event that kids feel they don't want to miss. Rather, every day there will be a bunch of kids who bring lunch and a bunch of kids who get the hot lunch, so it won't be a big deal and will be easier to opt out of. That was certainly my experience attending an elementary school where hot lunch was an option every day. In addition, I'm sure we could come up with a way to finance lunch scholarships through this program. Thank you Kimberly!! This new program sounds ideal and will be a wonderful improvement. Kimberly has done a fabulous job of summarizing the benefits of the proposed program and I agree with every one of them. Our family would welcome the opportunity to buy lunch more often, especially lunches that would be more well-balanced and way more appealing than anything I prepare myself. The idea of not having to prepare lunches every day makes me so happy that I am smiling as I type this. I know that there are many other two-working-parent families like ours who have had the exact same reaction. The current program has been great – we always look forward to Fridays and I’ve enjoyed being there the times that I’ve helped out – but it takes too many hours and has been a big burden on the same generous few who make themselves available for so much volunteering all over the school. With respect to the financial hardship/embarassment issue, I suspect that moving to a 5-day a week program as opposed to a 1-day a week program will be a positive — when lunch is an option every single day, it is not the “special event” that it is on Fridays — an event that kids feel they don’t want to miss. Rather, every day there will be a bunch of kids who bring lunch and a bunch of kids who get the hot lunch, so it won’t be a big deal and will be easier to opt out of. That was certainly my experience attending an elementary school where hot lunch was an option every day. In addition, I’m sure we could come up with a way to finance lunch scholarships through this program. Thank you Kimberly!!

]]> Comment on BPO Meeting Minutes 2/11/08 by Barb Wilkie http://beachparents.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/bpo-meeting-minutes-21108/#comment-75 Barb Wilkie Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:44:34 +0000 http://beachparents.wordpress.com/?p=44#comment-75 Hello -- I just learned of your upcoming meeting regarding Environmental Contaminants from a friend who lives in Piedmont. I was wondering if you'd like brochures to be made available for distribution to all attendees. I am a volunteer with the Environmental Health Network and have brochures on the topic of the harmful health and environmental effects of fragrances and also on improving indoor environments. Certainly, to learn to look for products that do not contain the word "fragrance" -- even if it has "unscented" or "fragrance free" also on the label -- is actionable and easy to do. To eliminate these volatile organic compounds may be a major step in improving health, not just respiratory but also the entire body. Fragrance concoctions are derived from petrochemicals and contain PHTHALATES. Fragrance products outgas from the user to affect the air that we all must breathe. Please let me know if you'd like to have brochures for your attendees and if so, how many. Thanks for your time . . . I hope I can be of some help to you for your meeting. Sincerely, barb wilkie EHN president emerita Hello –

I just learned of your upcoming meeting regarding Environmental Contaminants from a friend who lives in Piedmont. I was wondering if you’d like brochures to be made available for distribution to all attendees. I am a volunteer with the Environmental Health Network and have brochures on the topic of the harmful health and environmental effects of fragrances and also on improving indoor environments.

Certainly, to learn to look for products that do not contain the word “fragrance” — even if it has “unscented” or “fragrance free” also on the label — is actionable and easy to do. To eliminate these volatile organic compounds may be a major step in improving health, not just respiratory but also the entire body.

Fragrance concoctions are derived from petrochemicals and contain PHTHALATES. Fragrance products outgas from the user to affect the air that we all must breathe.

Please let me know if you’d like to have brochures for your attendees and if so, how many.

Thanks for your time . . . I hope I can be of some help to you for your meeting.

Sincerely,
barb wilkie
EHN president emerita

]]> Comment on Hot Lunch Program at Beach by Margaret Ovenden http://beachparents.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/hot-lunch-program-at-beach-2/#comment-70 Margaret Ovenden Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:49:51 +0000 http://beachparents.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-70 I notice that Revolution Foods also produces a line of peanut butter. For the safety of our peanut-allergic kids (whether or not they participate in the hot lunch program), it's important that peanut butter sandwiches and snacks not be included (because it's so easy for it to get spread around in the school environment). Also, as a parent of one of the kids with peanut allergy, I have some specific questions about how their food is prepared (cross-contamination issues). But even if my child wasn't able to participate in hot lunch because of cross-contamination issues, this wouldn't make me vote against Revolution Foods. I think the potential benefits to the school as a whole are more important. In particular, it would be GREAT to free up volunteer time for other activities (the Green Committee alone has lots of great volunteer opportunities just waiting for the parents who are freed up from hot lunch!) At the same time, as Bob points out, we want to make sure we aren't going backwards on the "no trash lunch" front. It sounds possible that between Piedmont's new trash/recycling contract and Revolution Foods being more eco-conscious than the company we were considering last year, we might be okay on this issue. But we'd need to carefully consider the details of how much non-recyclable trash we'd be producing (compared with what the current lunch and hot lunch set ups are producing). Finally, Kimberly and the hot lunch committee, you've done a great job summarizing and presenting the issues! I notice that Revolution Foods also produces a line of peanut butter. For the safety of our peanut-allergic kids (whether or not they participate in the hot lunch program), it’s important that peanut butter sandwiches and snacks not be included (because it’s so easy for it to get spread around in the school environment). Also, as a parent of one of the kids with peanut allergy, I have some specific questions about how their food is prepared (cross-contamination issues).

But even if my child wasn’t able to participate in hot lunch because of cross-contamination issues, this wouldn’t make me vote against Revolution Foods. I think the potential benefits to the school as a whole are more important. In particular, it would be GREAT to free up volunteer time for other activities (the Green Committee alone has lots of great volunteer opportunities just waiting for the parents who are freed up from hot lunch!)

At the same time, as Bob points out, we want to make sure we aren’t going backwards on the “no trash lunch” front. It sounds possible that between Piedmont’s new trash/recycling contract and Revolution Foods being more eco-conscious than the company we were considering last year, we might be okay on this issue. But we’d need to carefully consider the details of how much non-recyclable trash we’d be producing (compared with what the current lunch and hot lunch set ups are producing).

Finally, Kimberly and the hot lunch committee, you’ve done a great job summarizing and presenting the issues!

]]> Comment on Hot Lunch Program at Beach by Elizabeth Shook http://beachparents.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/hot-lunch-program-at-beach-2/#comment-67 Elizabeth Shook Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:26:22 +0000 http://beachparents.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-67 I love the new proposal to expand our hot lunch program -- thank you, Kimberly! As a former working mom (now staying at home with a little one), I think that more hot lunch days and more choices would be more convenient for everybody. If we increase the number of days, not everyone will take advantage, whatever the reason. I don't think we should worry too much about children feeling left out -- many children don't participate now. Who would know why? Also, I have friends at an Oakland charter school who use Revolution Foods and they love it. I think this is a great solution. I love the new proposal to expand our hot lunch program — thank you, Kimberly! As a former working mom (now staying at home with a little one), I think that more hot lunch days and more choices would be more convenient for everybody. If we increase the number of days, not everyone will take advantage, whatever the reason. I don’t think we should worry too much about children feeling left out — many children don’t participate now. Who would know why?
Also, I have friends at an Oakland charter school who use Revolution Foods and they love it. I think this is a great solution.

]]> Comment on Hot Lunch Program at Beach by Bob Houser http://beachparents.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/hot-lunch-program-at-beach-2/#comment-66 Bob Houser Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:19:08 +0000 http://beachparents.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-66 While I understand the support for this option, I am still concerned about the amount of garbage this program will produce. Their website doesn't display images of the packaging. Last year's proposed vendor had everything wrapped individual plastic packaging. With all the movement Beach has made with it's "No trash lunch" campaign, what would moving backwards tell the kids? I'd like to better understand their compostable packaging - I don't see how you are going to package cheese and energy bars in compostable packaging. Almost everything used in the current hot lunch program will be recyclable, or green waste, in next years garbage contract - even juice cups and yogurt containers from kids' lunches. But, an outside vendor can only be so green and still meet federal guidelines. Please keep garbage and waste a concern at the April 7th meeting. While I understand the support for this option, I am still concerned about the amount of garbage this program will produce. Their website doesn’t display images of the packaging. Last year’s proposed vendor had everything wrapped individual plastic packaging. With all the movement Beach has made with it’s “No trash lunch” campaign, what would moving backwards tell the kids? I’d like to better understand their compostable packaging – I don’t see how you are going to package cheese and energy bars in compostable packaging. Almost everything used in the current hot lunch program will be recyclable, or green waste, in next years garbage contract – even juice cups and yogurt containers from kids’ lunches. But, an outside vendor can only be so green and still meet federal guidelines. Please keep garbage and waste a concern at the April 7th meeting.

]]> Comment on Hot Lunch Program at Beach by christina whitley http://beachparents.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/hot-lunch-program-at-beach-2/#comment-64 christina whitley Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:01:21 +0000 http://beachparents.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-64 I think that Revolution Foods is the way to go...the kids enjoy the food, money will still be raised due to increased participation, the dedicated hot lunch parents can focus volunteer time in other areas...waste can be recycled and/or composted...and parents will not have to rush around in the morning preparing lunches....what is not to like! the cost is reasonable and the food is healthy.......I can't wait for the change.....thanks Kimberly!! I think that Revolution Foods is the way to go…the kids enjoy the food, money will still be raised due to increased participation, the dedicated hot lunch parents can focus volunteer time in other areas…waste can be recycled and/or composted…and parents will not have to rush around in the morning preparing lunches….what is not to like! the cost is reasonable and the food is healthy…….I can’t wait for the change…..thanks Kimberly!!

]]> Comment on Hot Lunch Program at Beach by Amal Smith http://beachparents.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/hot-lunch-program-at-beach-2/#comment-62 Amal Smith Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:49:35 +0000 http://beachparents.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-62 Kudos to Kimberly for preparing a thoughtful and thorough document!! Her efforts here are a culmination of the efforts of her predecessors. I've been so grateful for the Friday hot lunch program, knowing that a few volunteers provide a much loved service. I think the proposed move to Revolution Foods will provide greater options to our community, with the ability to opt in or out as parents see fit for their children and their budgets. Kudos to Kimberly for preparing a thoughtful and thorough document!! Her efforts here are a culmination of the efforts of her predecessors. I’ve been so grateful for the Friday hot lunch program, knowing that a few volunteers provide a much loved service. I think the proposed move to Revolution Foods will provide greater options to our community, with the ability to opt in or out as parents see fit for their children and their budgets.

]]> Comment on Hot Lunch Program at Beach by Alison Kuehner http://beachparents.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/hot-lunch-program-at-beach-2/#comment-60 Alison Kuehner Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:25:21 +0000 http://beachparents.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-60 I think it's a wonderful idea to have a professional organization do the hot lunches--because I could never volunteer myself to do the lunches and because it sounds like lots of work for the dedicated few who can do so. It's been great to have Friday as hot lunch day--thank you parent volunteers!-- and I'd like to give the Rev. Foods a try. I think it’s a wonderful idea to have a professional organization do the hot lunches–because I could never volunteer myself to do the lunches and because it sounds like lots of work for the dedicated few who can do so. It’s been great to have Friday as hot lunch day–thank you parent volunteers!– and I’d like to give the Rev. Foods a try.

]]> Comment on Hot Lunch Program at Beach by Deidre Coen http://beachparents.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/hot-lunch-program-at-beach-2/#comment-59 Deidre Coen Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:01:16 +0000 http://beachparents.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-59 I would miss the 'small town feel 'of of hot luches being a parent volunteer effort. But since I have never worked a hot lunch I guess I'm in love with the feeling of other mothers feeding my children once a week. I think the whole thing has gotten way too complicated. I have been elated with the program as it has been for the last 4 years. Kimberly Moses has done an outstanding job of writing this report and I will support the BPO's decision what ever it is. I would miss the ’small town feel ‘of of hot luches being a parent volunteer effort. But since I have never worked a hot lunch I guess I’m in love with the feeling of other mothers feeding my children once a week. I think the whole thing has gotten way too complicated. I have been elated with the program as it has been for the last 4 years. Kimberly Moses has done an outstanding job of writing this report and I will support the BPO’s decision what ever it is.

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