No more Mac 'n Cheese! Seventh-graders at Austwell-Tivoli Junior High School boycott their school lunch menu after learning the idea in history class.
According to the Victoria Advocate, the students were writing in their Texas history class when they came across a term that struck them: boycott. The class president, Mckenzi Simmons, told the Advocate she had never heard the word before. But at the following class meeting students began talking and decided they could use that word to their advantage.
The decided, that on a Tuesday approximately 32 students would boycott school lunch.
"We wanted more choice in what was served, as there was a lot of repetition in what was going on. All we wanted was for our voice to be heard and a chance at change," said Mckenzi, 12.
McKenzi said the whole junior high showed up with their own lunches and did so for the rest of the week. She said her class was determined to be respectful with their boycott, which they saw garner the best reaction from the staff.
The Austwell-Tivoli school district is one of the few in the state that offers a free lunch for students and staff, Aguirre said. The free lunches are provided to the area because a large portion of the district is deemed low-income by the state. So for many students that meant no meal for the day.
Superintendent Antonio Aguirre told the Advocate when he heard about the boycott, his first inclination was to defend his school. He said the lunches are adequate and provide a variety of meals for students. Aguirre also provided two weeks worth of varied lunch entrees, a cycle he said may be repeated with additions on occasion.
The menus are based on policy set by the Texas Department of Agriculture, whose rules spell out specific nutritional guidelines for things such as fruits and vegetables, portion sizes and fried foods.
"We take care of our kids," he said.
But he also realized he'd be a hypocrite if he punished the students for using their learning experience.
On Wednesday, Mckenzi and the class vice president sent a letter to their principal, Stephen Maldonado, on behalf of their class, calling for less repetition in lunches and a choice of a salad.
That same day, another letter she sent to the principal emphasized their stance.
"We have tried other solutions before. However, seeing as there has been no change or consideration, we have come to this option. Once again, if we have hurt anyone's feelings we are sincerely sorry, as it was unintentional," the letter read.
McKenzi tells the Advocate the boycott seems to have worked. "It went pretty well (on Friday) because they asked us what food we didn't like and what food we'd like to see more of," Mckenzi said. "They're starting to make some changes, so we're going to lay off and see what happens."
What do you think about the boycott?
Viewers serve up their thoughts:
@maggiesworld Awesome segment. We hear all of the bad things that youth are doing, how refreshing to hear about occupy the cafeteria!
Laura writes: Ugh. C'mon people! Mac and cheese HELPS you learn and helps you get through the school day! Let's just get rid of fun!
Get in on the dish. Send me your tweets: twitter.com/maggiesworld or emails: maggie@39online.com or comment on the Online Dish Facebook fan page.
And that's today's helping of Online Dish.
