McDonald's rewards on kids' report cards?
This is really getting under my skin for some reason. I'm not a parent, but I'm frustrated that this is even happening...
One of the local school districts has accepted happy meal coupons as a reward for kids earning good grades, and it's blatantly advertised on the kids' report cards. Check out the article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/orl-mcgrades0607dec06,0,5067134.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout
I shouldn't have started reading the comments section that follows, because I'm now feeling annoyed at the ignorance of some of my community's lesser members (they are in my opinion, anyway). Just sharing because I have a feeling the majority of the VW community might be on my side, which is in full support of the protesting mother.
If I had a child in school, I'd be joining the conscious mother and helping her fight her battle.
I mean, what would you do?
WALK in their shoes and/or become a part of the solution. mcdonalds is doing something to encourage and thats better than most! what have YOU done lately to enhance the life a someone in dire need of not only food but of acknowledgement and positive reinforcement? parents in prison, 60% of our school being raised by grandparents or in foster homes- give me a break! they are kids who deserve even an once of happiness- again THANKS MCDONALDS!!!!!!!!!!
veronica
oh, i forgot...mcdonalds does support the uncf and sends many many minority kids to universities that they will be unable to afford. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D. also many chains in this 'hood' donate christmas presents and provide free health and dental benefits for those not able to afford adequate care. who cares if they do it as part of a merchandising ploy- at least they are contributing to my students!!!! whole foods/trader joes do not even realize these kids exists because THEY build in affluent areas where the quality of life is so much more enhanced. once 'they' do something- anything...i will be in greater support. untill then, i see what is being done and things are getting done by corportations such as walmart, mcdondalds, etc. they are HERE, living with us..trying to help build!!! this is reality- you cant have a tomorrow with an empty stomache, parents in distress and a huge void in your spirit. i teach about the rainforest, environmental conscious attitudes, and veganism- they know- they just want to eat and live to see tomorrow!!!!
veronica
wow, veronica66, you really are doing something about it! seriously, good for you for teaching these kids about environmentalism, etc., but you haven't mentioned if the "hood" you teach in is in fact located in Central Florida. if it is, you'll know quite well that Seminole County is one of the most affluent counties in the area, and their public schools boast high ratings - thanks to the higher property taxes that pay for the schools!
and, if your self-proclaimed hood is in fact geographically located elsewhere, you should probably rethink your combination of teaching environmental consciousness and condoning McDonald's - seems oxymoronish, no? or have i missed McDonald's latest and greatest green, sustainable practices?
i think one of the key points here - as has already been said by many others - is that the reward itself is nothing more than a marketing ploy. i don't care if your district is supported by million-dollar suburban property taxes or barely tastes any trickle of money from a lower income area, the fact is McDonald's is advertising on report cards, and that is ethically wrong, in my opinion; more importantly, it's wrong by their business standards as they are not to carry on such practice after Jan. 08 but plan to continue with the program through June 08.
it's great that you are so excited about helping struggling kids, i only wish you'd settle down a bit to ensure the kids are getting what they need from their educator: rational and practiced learning that will fulfill them intellectually, socially, and ethically. reading does just that, so i would hope educators would promote reading and books as an opportunity for reward, rather than some smutty chain that farces chemical concoctions as food in order to remain a lingering fondness in these kids' memories when they get older and ensures a dedicated customer.
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