US District Bans Students with Lunch Debts from Attending School Events

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Category: Education/Family

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. extracurricular / ˌɛk strə kəˈrɪk yə lər / (adj) – describing school events or activities outside of regular classes and academic programs
    Example:

    When I was in high school, I joined extracurricular activities like school plays and volunteer programs.


  2. take the place of (something) / teɪk ðə pleɪs əv / (idiom) – to replace something
    Example:

    As the mayor strived for modernization, high-rise buildings have rapidly taken the place of small establishments in the city.


  3. behind on (something) / bɪˈhaɪnd ɒn / (idiom) – late in doing something
    Example:

    The employees send reminders to customers who are behind on their bill payments.


  4. aspirant / əˈspaɪər ənt / (n) – someone who aims to become or achieve something
    Example:

    The aspirants for the scholarship will undergo a strict screening.


  5. zero out / ˈzɪər oʊ aʊt / (phrasal) – to reduce something to zero or remove it completely
    Example:

    He zeroed out his account and spent every single dollar.


Article

Read the text below.

The Cherry Hill school district in New Jersey passed a new ruling that bans students with outstanding school lunch debt of $75 and above from attending extracurricular activities, including the prom and field trips.


The new policy takes the place of an old one, which many considered a form of “lunch shaming.” Under the old ruling, students who are behind on payments can get only tuna sandwich meals or nothing at all from the cafeteria.


With the recent change, students will now be allowed to get lunch meals. The Cherry Hill school board president said that the new policy is meant to make families accountable for their debts while still showing care to the students.


Despite the intention, the new rule was met with negative reactions from parents and politicians. One parent raised concerns about how being banned from field trips could affect a student’s image. US presidential aspirants Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker took to social media to express their disagreement with the idea of punishing school lunch debt and vowed to fight against it.


In response to the lunch debt problem, a local Cherry Hill businessman previously said via Facebook that he would be happy to help clear all student lunch debts. However, the school district board refused the offer, saying that they do not accept donations.


Superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche said that lunch debt is a complicated issue, and simply zeroing it out will not solve the problem of families and children who are struggling to provide meals both in school and at home.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you agree that the Cherry Hill school district’s new policy is the best way to hold families accountable for debt while still giving food to students? Why or why not?
• How do you think policies like these will affect students? Explain.

Discussion B

• Do you think it is a school’s responsibility to make sure that students get the meals they need? Why or why not?
• What do you think should be done to make sure students get proper meals? Discuss.