When Child’s Lunch Money Account Was Low, the School Did the Most Mortifying Thing to Him
Lunch money can be a sensitive issue for some young students, especially if their account is running low. But this lunch money story was particularly embarrassing for one young boy.
Mom Tara Chavez was shocked when she picked up her son at his Arizona elementary school and immediately spotted a stamp on his arm. It clearly read: “Lunch Money.”
When Chavez asked her little guy what the stamp was all about, he was visibly upset.
“He was screaming and crying the entire time,” she said. “He was humiliated, didn’t even want me to take a picture of it.”
This is the stamp. On his wrist. pic.twitter.com/I0OCK8VeBa
— throb gronkowski (@juanyfbaby) April 1, 2017
But she was able to eventually convince him to let her snap a photo. Shortly afterward, she shared an image on social media with her friends and followers.
Soon enough, others were sharing messages of confusion and concern.
Sounds like purposeful shaming when phones, emails and written notes/letters are options. Our new world.
— East Coast Julz 🇺🇸🌻🇺🇦 (@ScentsyJules) April 1, 2017
Chavez said the stamp was particularly shocking not just because of its appearance but also because she typically receives paper notices when her child’s lunch money account is running low.
As for the school, the principal responded in an email that the school’s current policy is to ask the student whether they wanted a stamp or a letter.
This is not the first time a “lunch money” stamp has stirred up some controversy. Last year, Jon Bivens’ 8-year-old son came home from his Alabama elementary school with a similar stamp on his arm.
Except that stamp also included a smiley face, initially confusing the dad into thinking that his little boy was getting praised for doing a good job in school.
Father says his son was 'branded' with 'I need lunch money' stamphttps://t.co/FElaAtpkcw pic.twitter.com/tK7F0c9Ajy
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) June 15, 2016
But when Bivens took a closer look, he was outraged.
“It’s a form of bullying and shaming the kids,” he said, stating that his son was “branded” with the message that could possibly cause others to make fun of him.
That time, the school’s principal said the usual way is to call or email parents when their child’s lunch money account runs low. If parents don’t pay attention, then the school notifies them in other ways–like stickers or stamps.
So should schools keep stamps as a last resort for notification in situations like this, or should they only stick to phone calls and written messages to the parents? We want to know your thoughts!
via LiftBump
