Let South Carolina join those in nation leading the way on Universal School Meals | Opinion
School meals for all
Public schools provide not just physical facilities, but transportation, textbooks and materials to all students in support of the mission to educate. Yet, while we require students to attend from early morning to mid-afternoon, we fail to universally provide fuel vital to the educational process – an adequate balanced diet.
If we don’t base textbooks, laptops or bus rides on income, why do we expend precious resources to obtain that information before providing meals?
Universal School Meals (USM) – nutritious meals provided without regard to income status – increase meal participation by students of all income levels, thereby reducing “lunch stigma,” administrative costs and community food insecurity while increasing economies of scale, test scores, and attendance rates.
Research published just this month in Pediatrics (Localio, et al, 3/18/24) also links USM to modest decreases in obesity prevalence, which we know affects chronic disease development.
What a crucial opportunity to prioritize not only the education, but also the long-term health of South Carolina citizens with one cost-effective initiative.
I urge support for passage of H5022 and S0148 to make South Carolina the ninth state, and first in the Southeast, to prioritize both education and health via school meals for our youngest citizens.
Sandra Daws, Rock Hill
Praise for values
We greatly appreciate the consistent teaching of the “RAISE” values in our public charter school, American Leadership Academy in Lexington (Unchartered Territory, March 11, 2024).
These core school values of respect, accountability, integrity, service and excellence mirror the values in our home, but are sadly lacking in much of present-day society.
We are thankful that the Charter Institute at Erskine is leading the way in bringing high-quality education to South Carolina students while emphasizing traditional values with families.
Nathan and Emily Mains, Lexington
UTVs on secondary roads
Since 2019, efforts have been underway to allow registration of UTVs for highway use on secondary roads with a speed limit of 55 mph or less, with modifications such as turn signals, and the requirement of insurance.
House Bill 3359 has twice passed the House of Representatives with support from 20 representatives.
In session 124, it received 98 yeas and 11 nays, and in session 125, it swiftly moved through subcommittee to the Senate with 106 yeas and 8 nays within 3 days.
Despite this progress, the bill has not received fair consideration in the Senate.
During session 124, the Senate Transportation Subcommittee cited a lack of time for thorough review despite having the bill for more than three months; however, since March 31, 2023, the bill has been in Senate possession without being addressed in the transportation committees.
We urge senators to take a definitive stance on the bill and make their positions public.
To rally support, an event is planned for April 2, pending permit approval.
Charlie Stabler, Swansea
Preschool training needed
South Carolina leads the nation in the number of preschoolers who are suspended or expelled from preschool programs. We are talking about children who are under five years old.
The overwhelming majority of children being kicked out are black boys. (Children’s Law Center, 2023 Committee on Children Annual Report). This is not okay.
The long term effect on children and families is huge.
Many parents have to quit their jobs when their chosen childcare provider no longer accepts their child.
The preschool-to-prison pipeline is now an epidemic.
When a center weaponizes the behavior of a 3-year-old child and gives up on them, the chances of that child going on to succeed in academic and social settings is very low.
Child care centers must be given adequate training and resources to stop these practices. Senators Brad Hutto (D-District 40), Katrina Shealy (R-District 24) and Mike Reichenbach (R-District 32) all have proven track records of being champions for children’s issues.
They pioneered Senate Bill 1108 which has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. This bill would provide desperately needed training and accountability measures to ensure that both preschools and their students can succeed.
Please join me in thanking these senators for bringing such an important topic to light and for taking action.
Heather Blackwell, West Columbia
