Suspending a child for bringing in a cheese sandwich doesn't seem like a reasonably punishment for breaking the "no outside food" policy - right?
According to the Huffington Post, two-year-old Faith Murray was suspended for three days for bringing a cheese sandwich in a sealed zip lock bag to school. Administrators at Centre de l'Enfant Aux 4 stated that the suspension was the result of the daycare's strict "no outside food" policy, an initiative started because of students with severe allergies.
The daycare looks after 148 children aged 18 months to 12 years. Students who do not comply with the policy receive a penalty of suspension for three days. If the food contains nuts, students can be expelled.
However, Murray's father, Randy Murray, thinks the punishment does not fit the crime
"I'm speechless," he stated. "I wish they had handled it differently. They freaked out. If I got a warning, I'd admit my mistake and move on. But it seems they want to penalize the parents. There's no logic to it. I'm going to the media because I think people have to speak up when something's fishy."
Daycare director Deb Ducharme said the school is doing everything in their power to keep the children with allergies safe and that he understands why some parents find the consequences to harsh, but parents with children at risk, agree with the terms.
"We need to ensure their well-being and safety," Ducharme explained. "Most parents are comfortable with our rules because it creates a safe environment for their children."
Ducharme added that parents were made aware of the food policy during registration and the policy was sent to student homes in the January issue of their monthly newsletter. Murray thinks the daycare has to rethink its policy.
What do you think of the daycare's policy?
