Green Options

Britain has the highest teen pregnancy rate in Europe, thus the government is bringing sex education into the classroom, including kindergarten.

Many countries require sex education in schools, but England requires it for five-year-olds. “It’s vital that this information doesn’t come from playground rumor or the mixed messages from the media about sex,” explained Schools Minister Jim Knight.

How do you teach sex education to a five-year-old?  Details on the curriculum have not been released, but Knight has stated the focus will be on self-awareness for younger children. Lessons will start with naming body parts and progress to preparing for puberty and relationship feelings as children age.

We are not talking about 5-year-old kids being taught sex.  What we’re talking about for key stage 1 (ages 5-7) is children knowing about themselves, their differences, their friendships and how to manage their feelings.

Sasha and Malia Obama have to be the cutest kids to live in the White House since Caroline Kennedy and John, Jr.  Last night on “60 Minutes”, Michelle Obama was asked if the children would attend public school:

[Kroft] Did you seriously consider sending the girls to public school?

You know, we’re still in the process of figuring out that transition and what we have asked people to understand is that the decision that we make will be based on the best interests of the girls. We haven’t made that decision yet. We want that to be a personal process, and people have been really good about respecting that.

I do respect the Obama’s decision as parents to choose the best school for their girls, but most parents in the United States do not have this luxury. I am a public school teacher, and I strongly support public education as a necessity in a democracy. It is a personal decision of the Obama family where their children attend school, but politically, public school would be the best decision.

Here are five reasons why Sasha and Malia should attend public school:

1. It sends a message that Obama believes in public education: Politician after politician states that they support public education, but when it comes to their own children, public schools are not good enough. This hypocritical message tarnishes public opinion of our school system, and it furthers the view of politicians as elitist.  Sasha and Malia currently attend private school in Chicago.

From Z Recommends to the Vegan Lunch Box, I’ve read about Laptop Lunches for quite awhile. When my daughter’s best friends showed up with them after their birthdays, a trend had begun at her school.  Not that I think children need to buy what their friends’ have to fit in, but I felt the Laptop Lunch would be a good addition to her home lunches.

Although I avoid plastic in general, Laptop Lunches are made from BPA-free plastic, are reusable, recyclable, and dishwasher safe.  It even comes with a book full of nutritious lunch ideas.

The following quote is from my seven-year-old daughter. This is her perspective on her Laptop Lunch System: