“We will not be making any changes to our procedures at this time.”
- Tamar Galatzan
After writing my last blog about the introduction of Breakfast in the Classroom at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (SOCES), Tamar Galatzan replied to parents about their concerns. Unfortunately, instead of addressing the concerns raised by the 98% of families who signed opt-out forms, she relied on the advice of the District’s legal department. The same people who concluded to it was permissible to claim that a middle school student can consent to sex with a teacher, have now decided “that parents have no constitutional right to require the district to obtain signed permission slips for participation in Breakfast in the Classroom.” The email exchange is as follows:
From: Rescue our children [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 9:08 PM
Cc: Hernandez, Judith L.; Maltez, Byron; [email protected]; Jones, Barbara A.;[email protected]; Benavidez, Laura; [email protected]
Subject: United against Breakfast in Classroom at Soces
Good morning,
Members of the community, along with parents of children at LAUSD schools refuse to allow Sherman Oaks Ces to be bullied by Los Angeles Unified District into adopting "Breakfast" in Classroom Program.
We hereby require parent permission slips (NOT opt out forms) to be provided to Sherman Oaks Ces parents immediately. Not requiring permission is contrary to existing policies and procedures, and having access to them is their civil right!
There is a tremendous amount of data to back up the fact that processed "foods", high in sugar and fat content WILL cause various serious ailments. If parents of needy children give the school district permission to feed their children unhealthy "food", then, by all means they should be fed, but NOT at the expense of other CHILDREN'S' HEALTH and VALUABLE CLASS TIME!
By ignoring the voices of 98% of parents at SOCES who stand against Breakfast in Classroom, you are making this issue much bigger than it would be otherwise! You risk losing the merits of the entire program by not addressing SOCES with its documented opposition!
Also, Mrs. Galazan, since we have to make a decision on your election shortly, we'd really like to know where you stand on this very serious and important matter!
Thank you for your time and attention!
____________________________________________
From: Galatzan, Tamar
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2015 1:32 PM
To: '[email protected]'
Cc: Benavidez, Laura; Kim, Margaret; Jones, Barbara A.; Maltez, Byron; Hernandez, Judith L.; '[email protected]'
Subject: RE: United against Breakfast in Classroom at Soces
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your email.
I am checking with the district's Office of General Counsel regarding permission slips for Breakfast in the Classroom, and will let you know whether our attorneys determine this is feasible or allowable under the federally established guidelines for this program.
In the meantime, we are anticipating a smooth roll-out of Breakfast in the Classroom at SOCES on Monday morning.
Looking ahead, I will continue with my plan to ask the board and the superintendent to review the Breakfast in the Classroom program at the conclusion of the school year.
Regards,
Tamar
____________________________________________
From: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: United against Breakfast in Classroom at Soces
Date: Thu, 14 May 2015 17:00:38 +0000
Dear Parents,
As a follow-up to my previous email, I have consulted with LAUSD's Office of General Council. Our attorneys have reviewed all aspects of Breakfast in the Classroom and determined that LAUSD is in compliance with all federal and state laws regarding how it operates the program. Our attorneys also say that parents have no constitutional right to require the district to obtain signed permission slips for participation in Breakfast in the Classroom. Therefore, we will not be making any changes to our procedures at this time.
Regards,
Tamar
This blatant disregard of these parents concerns is indicative of what is wrong with the LAUSD. While Galatzan likes to present herself as the only Board member with children in the District, the fact is that she was first elected just as her oldest child enrolled in the district. She has no idea what it is like to be a parent in the district without also being the boss of those in charge of the schools. If she did, she might be more sympathetic to parents who have to deal with the district without this advantage.
Election day is on Tuesday, May 19, and voters have a real choice. Tamar Galatzan believes that the district is going in the “right direction.” In the primary election, 60% of the electorate disagreed and voted for her opponents. If they show up for the general election, the students and parents will get the change that they need.