"I Want Grape Drink"

"I want the purple stuff," a quote from Dave Chapelle's popular show. In the skit, he explores how kids from lower economic classes drink artificially flavor drinks as opposed to more expensive natural drinks, in this example, grape juice.

I bring this skit up as an example because I have noticed the poor nutritional values of my students' meals and the vending machine in the school cafeteria. For example, there is a young lady that brings a drink with a high content of sugar and two or three small bags of Cheetos chips. This is no where near healthy and impedes in the classroom. The link between nutrition and academic success has been thoroughly proven. Many of the students at my school have free or reduced lunch but that isn't of greater help. Cheese-steaks and pizza are the common lunch items from the school cafeteria. Additionally, many teachers give out candy and chocolate for rewards and incentive. Although a kind gesture, I believe that giving out such treats will only hinder the student.

The school needs to address the nutritional state of the students. I think it needs to start with the vending machine which does not have soda but plenty of drinks loaded with sugar - like "grape drink." I heard through the grape vine that the school will now have a nutritionist which will be of great help. But for the purpose of this topic, I think as teachers we need to be conscience of what our students are eating. Food affects their moods, their minds, and the kind of energy they bring into the classroom.