The Texas Legislature is considering several bills, most notably 'David's Law,' to cut down on bullying of students by other students, but lawmakers are also considering a measure to end bullying of students by the school...in the lunch line, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
State Rep. Helen Giddings' (D-Dallas) bill would prohibit schools from immediately yanking lunch away from a student when the students' parents have failed to pay their lunch account.
She says many students are given only a 'cold sack lunch' and are shamed in front of all of the other students.
"So the student gets nothing from that tray, they get the brown sack lunch," he said. "You can imagine how you or your child would feel if that happened to you."
Giddings' bill requires school districts to grant a two week grace period to replenish their lunch accounts, continuing to allow students to select a hot lunch of their choice.
"We want to quit labeling children by snatching that lunch away from them at the end of the line," she said.
She said when students are 'lunch shamed' in the lunch line, their mental health takes a toll as they walk around 'with a grumbling stomach reminding them of the fact that they can't afford to eat.'
"It deteriorates their confidence in themselves, and their inferiority complex can hurt academic success."
Giddings said the districts should encourage parents to reimburse them for missed school lunches, and urged school districts to seek out private donations to cover the school lunch bills of students whose parents don't pay up.
"Financial matters should be left to the adults, and should never result in a hungry and embarrassed child," she said.
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