My 6 year old was fed Ham in school today. advice?

[Katy]

I thought it had to be a ruminant to be ok for them to eat which is why a pig doesn't qualify.

 

[chickened]

Most schools are supposed to provide kosher meals I mean heck prisons do.

 

[Olive Hill]

I'm sure it was was not malicious. I would just mention to the teacher that in the future pork products should be avoided. And use this as a lesson that a written sheet of rules given to the teacher in the beginning of the year is a good idea.

This very thread is an excellent example of how even people who pride themselves on "knowing" food customs of certain religions are often and easily confused.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Ther eyou go using big words.

*runs to find a dictionary*

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Ther eyou go using big words.

*runs to find a dictionary*

It means they chew their cud...cows, sheep and goats.

 

[chickened]

You are right a pig is unclean and any other animal that is a scavenger is unclean.
Quote:

 

[Sierra pachie bars]

I use to work in a school before I got sick and couldnt work anymore. Most kids knew what they were not allowed to eat. Think it was 2nd grade when a student said she count eat jelly beans. It was the gelatin in the jelly beans she couldn't have. Most parents would list what the kids couldnt eat. I highly doubt the teacher ment anything by it, and since she is not Jewish she might not have known. My kids all know to avoid specific foods , like no meat on Fridays. I agree any time they feed the student something parents should get a note. But many times my kids have had cupcakes without my knowledge. So that is where you should have something in writing if it bothers you because you religion or for whatever reason. My son is allergic to grass, so I always put a note that he should avoid grass and rolling or sitting on grass. They accodate me by letting me take my child when they have fire drills and the kids sit on th grass. I figure i cant be upset if i don't tell them. You can never assume someone can know something you don't tell them.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

chickensducks&agoose :

We brought in a Menorah to share Hannukah with her class this winter.... so the teacher should have had some kind of clue... and she was fed ham as part of a Dr. Seuss celebration... without any parental notification. I understand that many of you eat ham, and that is totally fine, but we don't eat ham. We don't believe in eating ham. and I am totally unsure how to proceed. any advice?

My advice would be to tell the teacher how upsetting this was for you and then give her a list of forbidden foods. I tend to think the direct approach is best in the long run. Good luck!​

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Okay, I have made it through the 1st page, and I am appalled that a very basic "rule" of a major religion was ignored entirely. Ignorance of basic kosher restrictions (which is not just for orthodox jews) is absolutely NO excuse. Not knowing that your child is jewish might be, but since you had already brought in a menorah, it seems that the teacher should have known. In addition to Jewish prohibitions against pork, Muslims also disallow all pork. Many Hindu (and others as well) are vegetarians. WHAT WAS THE TEACHER THINKING?! Yes, I GET Dr Seuss; and I would not say that they should not celebrate a Dr. Seuss day, and have Green Eggs and Ham. BUT. Check dietary restrictions before serving ANY food. Send notes home TELLING about the plans.

When my children were in grade school, and even middle school, I ALWAYS had to fill out forms that included listing food restrictions. Did you have to do this for your daughter's school?

How old is your daughter? Did she tell the teacher that she cannot eat pork? (Does she realize that she cannot?) Definitely time to have a talk with her if she does not know the rules for what she cannot eat. Your synagogue may have information on how to talk to your kids about eating kosher.

Definitely call and complain to the teacher and the principal. This was NOT acceptable.

 

[redhen]

Quote:

*GASP!* Pigs are NOT unclean...
*grumbles.. and mutters*...
Pigs are a HECK of a lot cleaner than chickens or ducks..or goats or cows..... or..etc.....

Those animals WOULD live in their own filth... pigs will NOT live in their own filth, unless they HAVE to...