Mary Manz Simon's Blog, page 5
February 27, 2019
Food waste reality
Years ago, schools led the way for kids to grow up with the 3 eco R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle.)
At this point, I don’t see schools taking similar leadership with reducing food waste. After glancing at food left on school cafeteria lunch trays, we have a long way to go before “zero waste” becomes a reality.
Test time
The annual academic testing season is gearing up. Honestly though, in today’s test-heavy climate, the impact is less dramatic than in previous years, when testing was used more appropriately to mark school progress.
I long for a time when attention is shifted toward character education, social-emotional growth and executive functioning. Although the recent emphasis of “Play’s the thing” during early childhood is a healthy and welcome movement, we have a long way to go before skills like sustained attention, goal-directed persistance and metacognition receive the necessary attention.
February 22, 2019
Sad sacks be gone!
This is the time of year that kids open sad sacks during lunchtime. By now, even formerly “exciting” menu items are boring.
Up the lunch game with a foldout placement, colorful cutlery, or foods packed in mini-containers, when being surprised at what you find adds fun and peer interest.
Go back to that list you made last fall, when you vowed to help your child pack lunches with sticks that transform chicken nuggets into pops and spiral veggies that turn root veggies into twists. Refer to your list of stackable protein to layer on a cracker and colorful dips to brighten even a cold winter day.
Even picky eaters will take a second look (and perhaps another bite.)
February 18, 2019
Frictionless shopping
Have you noticed how brick and mortar retailers are paying attention to our shopping pain points?
A few days ago, the clerk at Target noticed a line forming and immediately opened another register, even though that cashier only served a single customer.
Tech experts are working on the next generation of QR scanning, but that might not be around long: in some locations, customers don’t even scan a QR code.
Other retailers are experimenting with various forms of cashierless shopping.
I’m eager to see how today’s marketing experts solve a problem I often faced: when I managed to fit our three preschoolers in a cart, there wasn’t room for groceries!
February 13, 2019
Skipping out on gym
I wonder why some people – including parents – are surprised that recent data show that p.e. classes have been linked to discipline problems.
After all, when kids are unsupervised and possibly undressed, that’s prime breeding ground for bullying and out-of-bounds behavior.
Statistics revealed that in Texas, during their short-lived program that required physical activity every day, both truancy and misbehavior increased. Anyone who has been embarrassed in a school locker room (and who hasn’t been?) can understand the high risk of problems.
February 11, 2019
Welcome, Tru Kids
If the new entity, Tru Kids Brands has a familiar ring, the “newly imagined omni channel retail experience” is led by former Toys ‘R Us execs.
Parents and grandparents will be happy to welcome back brand names like Imaginarium, Koala Baby, True Heroes, EduScience and other familiar TRU and BRU products offered under the new initiative.
February 7, 2019
Guilt-free sips
Will this generation of students become the first to drink from a bio-degradable straw in their cardboard milk carton at the school cafeteria?
The commitment to eliminate plastic straws has gone beyond paper straws to include edible alternatives. Innovative options for packaging school lunch elements continue to grow.
Has your child’s school been successful in finding eco-solutions?
February 6, 2019
Zero waste shift?
Although major brands are starting to launch reusable packaging, companies that service school cafeterias have a long way to go.
The zero -waste movement could get a head start by simply starting with something as simple as the apple juice containers served at school breakfasts. What a difference if the juice was served in reusable, empty containers that would be collected, cleaned and returned !
February 5, 2019
Dodgeball and Red Rover have been replaced by Yoga in som...
Dodgeball and Red Rover have been replaced by Yoga in some schools.
But there’s been recent pushback against both that and mindfulness programs, all related to “religious intrusion” in public education.
Brilliant watches
Tech savvy students no longer write numbers and notes on their palms before tests.
And since many schools have outlawed cell phones during exams, smartwatches have become digital way to a good graade.
Of course, kids need to buy the pricey timepieces first, but in some schools, that’s merely the price to pay for the latest cheat sheet.
