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Post by Nittyz on Feb 24, 2015 18:18:33 GMT
Can teachers at primary schools refuse to let our children drink anything other than water? They allow juice in packed lunches but the water bottle they have in class has to be water and nothing else. The problem is my 7yo daughter refuses to drink water, it makes her wretch so I've always gave her very weak, sugar free juice but today they've been told if they're found to have juice or flavoured water it will be tipped down the sink! My dayghter often suffers from strep throat, toncilitis and water infections, Drs have told me to always keep her fluids up and as she wont drink water they're happy with the weak juice that she has. I've mentiined this to school before but they've told the kids today that there'll be no exceptions. Surely it's not up to them what I choose to give my daughter to drink? If they're worried about teeth my dentist will be happy to tell them how well looked after her teeth are!
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Post by melons on Feb 24, 2015 18:35:40 GMT
I am not sure if its a rule that they can actually enforce but it's standard practice for the children only to drink water in the classroom as it discourages using the drinks bottle as a distraction etc and some children drink constantly from them which obviously increases the need for frequent trips to the loo thus missing out on teaching time. The problem is that if one child is allowed to bring juice then they all should be. Water shouldn't be making your daughter wretch if its nice and chilled I am sure that if the teacher and yourselves encourage her and praise her for taking small sips she will soon get used to it x
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Post by maddiesmum on Feb 24, 2015 20:04:20 GMT
I put the clear flavoured water in my daughters as she won't drink plain water, and comes out really thirsty & complaining otherwise! X
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Post by Philippa on Feb 24, 2015 20:49:17 GMT
And this is why I'm going to have a nightmare ...... ............
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Post by jesterjaxon on Feb 24, 2015 21:13:18 GMT
My daughter has a condition called cyclic vomiting syndrome and dehydration is very dangerous for her, she also cannot drink plain water and her school is very very strict on no juice or flavoured water. However I went to the headmistress and explained that she needs to constantly drink and if she doesn't she will end up hospitalised, I pointed out that her drinking flavoured water in school would cause a lot less harm and disruption to her education than being in hospital for a week maybe more! The headmistress was very understanding and she is now allowed flavoured water as long as she doesn't broadcast it to everyone! But I do have to remind them of the rule every time she has a new teacher! If it will cause health issues with your daughter then stress this to them, it is better for her to drink and be healthy than miss school and fall behind!
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Post by busymare on Feb 24, 2015 21:37:39 GMT
No experience of this one but, as others have said, I have always found that talking to the headteacher immediately resolves any issue that class teachers have told me was insurmountable. I have learnt that it really isn't worth raising anything with anyone except the head and I find a carefully considered p***ed off email clearly stating your case gets things moving! A good school will work with you in the best interests of your child and be prepared to treat children as individuals (but obviously not all schools are good). As you have the support of doctor and dentist they really don't have a leg to stand on. Good luck!
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Post by Louise Dixon on Feb 25, 2015 5:33:55 GMT
I think it is a real shame if people are having to approach heads and class teachers are not being supportive in resolving these issues.
The school I teach in 2 days per week has the same policy, which I fully support for the reasons identified by melons above, but we also recognise that children have exceptional circumstances. My son will be starting at the same school after the summer, and also has a medical issue that means he needs to be hydrated. He also won't (wouldn't) drink water. As a tot he was only given water, but then after his first lot of surgery it was vital he was constantly drinking so we gave him different tasty juices and have in effect created the problem ourselves, although it was the right thing to do at the time.
Being fully aware of the policy, I thought I would try a wee trial at home to see how we got on whilst I can monitor his intake - he has a smoothie when he gets up in the morning, and is allowed very weak juice with every meal, but nothing but water in between, unless he has been doing something strenous like swimming. 3 weeks in and the little monkey has started drinking the water no problem when he thinks I am not looking, although he still tells me he isn't. His younger brother just takes milk or water, no issue, thank goodness.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Feb 25, 2015 7:00:21 GMT
What a wonderfully sensible post Louise Dixon.
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Post by catkin on Feb 27, 2015 8:54:44 GMT
I know I sound brutal, but we have always had the same policy and mine have had to 'get on with it'. After some whinging, they both did!
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Post by CarolineNelson on Feb 27, 2015 13:37:49 GMT
What a wonderfully sensible post Louise Dixon. Sarah, Louise is a farmer's daughter; a farmer's wife. Raised and living as she still does in the back of beyond, belongs to the 'just get on with it' school of thought. Plus, she's a breeder of tough Highland ponies which live like ponies should, tough sheep which live like sheep should and now, tough kids . . . ! ;) Edited to add - I'm sure she won't - but I hope Louise doesn't mind me saying this actually very complementary comment!!
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Post by brindlerainbow on Feb 27, 2015 13:48:42 GMT
Catkin, i'm just as brutal It's water for goodness sake it has very little taste!! I worked as a teaching assistant for 10 years in a primary school and the policy was in the class room they could only have water ( lunch times they could have what they liked ). If a child was found to have juice ( normally discovered when child knocks a bottle of ribena over theirs and everyone elses work ) then they were made to tip it away and refill with water. We never had any complaints from parents I can understand it if a child was being forced to eat something that it really disliked at lunch times but water is tasteless and boring. I really can't see what there is to dislike as it has no flavour!!! If 1 child is allowed juice then they will all want it
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Post by oldschooler on Feb 27, 2015 15:53:26 GMT
Catkin, i'm just as brutal It's water for goodness sake it has very little taste!! I worked as a teaching assistant for 10 years in a primary school and the policy was in the class room they could only have water ( lunch times they could have what they liked ). If a child was found to have juice ( normally discovered when child knocks a bottle of ribena over theirs and everyone elses work ) then they were made to tip it away and refill with water. We never had any complaints from parents I can understand it if a child was being forced to eat something that it really disliked at lunch times but water is tasteless and boring. I really can't see what there is to dislike as it has no flavour!!! If 1 child is allowed juice then they will all want it Absolutely agree. I have taught for over 30 years, with the first 15 before "brain gym" made water fashionable. Before that children could only drink at break times, and that would be water. If you start allowing flavoured juice it is the thin edge of the wedge, and before long they will all be bringing something similar, As a class teacher if you had approached me and had a medical reason I would probably turn a blind eye - as long as it was kept quiet. Teachers are not ogres and do want the best for all the children in the class, but honestly making exceptions can be very dangerous. I wonder how on earth I managed to get to my age with all the deprivations I obviously suffered, and all the terrible things I was forced to do. My parents had a "get on with it" attitude, and it certainly didn't do me any harm.
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Post by CarolineNelson on Feb 27, 2015 16:52:55 GMT
OK: I'm classified as ancient. . . (now drawing a pension)! However, to the point. I attended fairly strict schools; the local village pre-school, the village Primary and the next two (strict Convents, as a Boarder) after that. How we didn't fade away with dehydration really amazes me, now I come to think about it. We had the obligatory 1/2 pint glass bottle of milk at 11.00 break time (normally, in winter, partially frozen but with the metal top and the creamy bit, pretty much removed by starving birds!
A jug of water on the table at lunch and at supper time.
Tea for breakfast (we had cereal, so we had some additional milk, but only a specified amount per child). That was it!! As boarders, we were allowed ONE small plastic beaker of water on our bedside locker, supposedly to last us the night. And, there were draconian Matrons to check same. . . . . .
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sarahp
Happy to help
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Post by sarahp on Feb 27, 2015 18:51:57 GMT
Weren't they 1/3 pint not 1/2? But likewise partly frozen and always bird pecked - what would H&S make of that nowadays I wonder? I can't remember what else though. There wasn't the fuss about water then that there is nowadays - whatever happened to drinking when you feel thirsty - as long as not limited by the school that is?
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Post by catkin on Feb 28, 2015 18:20:00 GMT
The hydration point, though I am sure relevant, does seem to be a recent phenomenum
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Post by jesterjaxon on Feb 28, 2015 19:33:30 GMT
I fully agree that it can be a rolling snowball to allow one child something different but people do need to understand that medical conditions do exist for some children and it is vital they are kept hydrated! And for as much as people can tell me I must make my daughter drink plain water as it's only water with no taste, it makes her physically retch and once she has vomited once she then can proceed to vomit 2-3 times an hour for 48-72 hours continually! If you have ever watched your child become so dehydrated in a very short time that their legs and arms start to spasm and then become rigid and their heart rate raise to quadruple a normal rate then you understand that keeping them hydrated be it through juice, flavoured water, anything they will drink is something that becomes priority! I know that schools have to regulate things but there are cases that need special attention and all schools should be willing to talk to parents to help!
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Post by leevale on Feb 28, 2015 19:47:16 GMT
If your daughter has a medical condition, there should be a care plan in place at school that is agreed by the doctor. If it is important that she is kept hydrated using specified drinks at regular intervals this will be on the plan. The other children will have to stick to water unless they have a care plan too, so this shouldn't cause problems with the rest of the class keeping to the rules. However, if she has plenty to drink before school, milk at morning break, and plenty of juice with her packed lunch, then you meet her at home time with a drink, she may not need more than this.
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Post by Louise Dixon on Mar 1, 2015 10:35:23 GMT
What a wonderfully sensible post Louise Dixon. Sarah, Louise is a farmer's daughter; a farmer's wife. Raised and living as she still does in the back of beyond, belongs to the 'just get on with it' school of thought. Plus, she's a breeder of tough Highland ponies which live like ponies should, tough sheep which live like sheep should and now, tough kids . . . ! Edited to add - I'm sure she won't - but I hope Louise doesn't mind me saying this actually very complementary comment!!Thank you, Caroline!
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Post by brindlerainbow on Mar 1, 2015 12:12:04 GMT
Anyone with a child that has a genuine medical condition should get a letter from the doctor which is given by the parent to the school. School should then put a photo copy in the front of the attendance register as whether it be a supply teacher, teaching assistant or regular teacher they will have to call the register twice a day at the start of school and after lunch so the letter will be there for them to see. I thought this was standard policy for schools but if not then maybe requesting that it be done will solve any problems
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Post by Louise Dixon on Mar 1, 2015 15:06:37 GMT
Anyone with a child that has a genuine medical condition should get a letter from the doctor which is given by the parent to the school. School should then put a photo copy in the front of the attendance register as whether it be a supply teacher, teaching assistant or regular teacher they will have to call the register twice a day at the start of school and after lunch so the letter will be there for them to see. I thought this was standard policy for schools but if not then maybe requesting that it be done will solve any problems We don't even have a register any more - it is all online! It works well in some ways, i.e. office instantly aware of any children not in school to chase up, but a major down side is not seeing this sort of thing so quickly. It is displayed in staff room/office, and shown to any new staff, but the constant reminder in a register was much more useful.
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Post by mcnaughty on Mar 2, 2015 10:11:46 GMT
What if you buy her a water bottle that is not clear plastic? They surely wont check the contents. I have a pink water bottle for my daughter and I put very very weak squash in it.
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