Published in the October 21, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD — One of a simple batch of messages intended to keep parents up to date about what is happening at the Galvin Middle School drew the ire of some on social media this week over the types of snacks students are allowed to bring into the building.
School officials agreed last year to a request to allow kids to bring snacks to school. They did so, Principal Adam Colantuoni explained today, with the condition that they be “quick, clean, healthy snacks” so learning could continue unimpeded at the Galvin.
On Tuesday, Colantuoni wrote this seemingly harmless snack reminder:
“Students are permitted to have a healthy snack option each morning; however, we are seeing an increase in snack selections that are not school appropriate.
“Examples of snacks we would like to see in school include some of the following: fruits and vegetables, nut free granola/cereal bars, cheese sticks, pretzels, whole grain crackers.
“If students have a snack that is considered not appropriate for school or the classroom, they may be asked to dispose of it or put it away.
“We would appreciate your support in helping students select a healthy, appropriate, and safe option for school.”
Colantuoni quickly amended the statement about “disposing” inappropriate snacks in another message sent to parents.
“We would never throw away a child’s food,” he said today. “We are more focused on what is healthy for kids. In some cases I don’t think parents are really aware of what kids may be buying at CVS and bringing in. We are not trying to police it. We are trying to promote health and wellness.”
Here are some of the other messages sent out this week to Galvin parents:
• The Box Top contest ends this Friday! This is a quick and easy way to support the PTO and the Galvin.
• As part of a district wide effort in October by all schools to practice safety drills, the Galvin will be practicing safety and evacuation drills at this Friday. This will include students walking to designated off site locations (St. Joseph Church – 7th and 8th grade and Civic Center – 5th and 6th grade). We will discussing safety protocols before and after with students.
Animals on Campus Policy
Per School Committee policy (located on the WPS website), animals are not permitted on our school campus due to health and safety concerns. We respectfully ask parents to refrain from bringing family pets onto school campus when dropping off or picking up students. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Morning Drop Off Reminder
We appreciate your cooperation during the morning and afternoon procedures. One concern we continue to have is not all students are being dropped off in crosswalk areas and are having to cross the main road unsupervised. Please be sure to drop your child off in a designated crosswalk in order to safely cross the road.
November Key Dates
• Galvin Veterans’ Day Assembly, Nov. 10. The Galvin has a strong tradition of having well planned assemblies to recognize veterans in our community. This year we would like to invite and would be honored to have any Galvin family members who are veterans to join us at our assemblies. Please RSVP to Mr. Colantuoni to let us know if a family member is interested in attending either or both assemblies. The 7th and 8th grade assembly is at 8:30 a.m. and the 5th and 6th is at 10 a.m.
• Please note that school pictures have been moved up to Nov. 16 from the traditional date of the early release the day before Thanksgiving.
• As previously indicated, the November PM parent-teacher conferences have been moved from Thursday, 11/17 to Wednesday, 11/16 and will be from 5 to 7 p.m. The afternoon session will still be held as scheduled on 11/16 from noon to 2 p.m.
• Drop Everything and Read every Monday morning is going really well here at the Galvin. We appreciate the book donations and always welcome more! We will continue this all year and encourage families to discuss at home what students are reading.