CUMBERLAND, R.I. (AP) — There will be no more cheese sandwich punishments meted out at a Rhode Island school district
The Providence Journal reports the Cumberland School Committee has ended the controversial practice of giving cold cheese sandwiches to students whose parents fall behind on hot lunch payments.
Committee member Mark Fiorillo told the paper Friday it isn’t fair to penalize children for their parents’ decisions. He said it was also unfair the cheese sandwich meals, which also included fruit, vegetables and milk, were charged at the full hot lunch price.
Fiorillo said under the new policy, the school will notify parents by phone and email when they balance is overdue, rather than having the notice being handed to the child. Westerly and other school districts are also considering similar changes.
(Copyright (c) 2024 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)