to not use plastic school bottles?

[DropItLikeASquat]

I have 4 children at primary school. The school has introduced a new rule that all drinks bottles have to be clear plastic so they can recognise if children are bringing 'contraband' squash to school. now, just a few weeks ago I invested in so good quality stainless steal water bottles and I have said I'm not buying new ones. One of my children teaches asked me why I feel I can single out my children.
I explained that the rate that my children go through the plastic school issue bottles (at £3 a bottle) is making it quite unaffordable and I am also conscious of the amount of plastic waste that we re generating as a family.
She replied to say 'well how are we the know that they are not bringing squash?' I explained that my children only ever bring water and I firmly reiterated that I will not be purchasing the plastic ones.
AIBU to do this? I know of 2 other families at the school that are also refusing to use the school bottles for similar reasons to myself and they too have been met with the same hostile questioning.
Thankyou for your replies.

[MachineBee]

This attitude by schools really makes me mad. I’m certain that the teachers hate these policies too.

It would be so simple for the school to simply provide jugs of water at break times and parents wouldn’t have the faff of adding bottles of water with lunch boxes (that leak) - they could just bring their own cup with a name painted on. It would reduce plastic waste too.

Common sense and school policies seem to be mutually exclusive these days.

[elephantelsa]

Am I missing something?!? What's so bad with squash? I know water is obviously better but at primary age if my mum had told me water or nothing I think I'd have gone without fluids all day!!

[SomePopularReference]

Why didn't you suggest that they just sniff the bottles?

[TheChildrensPresenter]

Why aren't they allowed squash???

[SweetMoon]

Stick to your guns. What a stupid rule. Its as though parents can't be trusted and like other pps have said the squash smugglers will still do that but use flavoured water.

[TenancyTroublesAgain]

Squash of all things to ban...

[ScipioAfricanus]

it’s fair enough not to let them have squash. In the old days we’d have squash at set times, but having it in a water bottle and potentially sipping on it all day here and there is more damaging to teeth.

Exceptions for autism etc if child absolutely will not drink water but a lot of the time neutotypical children just need to get usd to the taste and in this country will not normally expire if they don’t have much.

But YANBU, OP - far better to use plastic and school also need to put responsibility on to parents and not be wasting teaching time policing children’s diets. There should be a general rule, but day to day staff shouldn’t be wasting time on this.

[PistFump]

I send my ds in quite merrily with squash every day. Sometimes even non-no added sugar squash. He's crap at drinking and I know for a fact he won't drink all day long if I send him in with water, more often than not the bottle doesn't come home at all comes home still half full but at least I know he's had something. He has no fillings and is thin as a rake, if that changes I'll reconsider my stance.

[ScipioAfricanus]

Far better not to use plastic

[TheChildrensPresenter]

It's not like they're sending fresh orange juice!

[mumgointhroughtorture]

Don't schools have more important things to do ? Like actually teach our kids . It's getting ridiculous now how we no longer have a say in our own kids !

[Tanaqui]

Squash/ flavoured water is fine for break and lunch but a sticky disaster if spilt in the classroom, so as people like their children to have access to a drink during lessons, water is way way better. (Obviously squash is still sticky at lunchtime but it’s less likely to get on books and pencils and things). So please please don’t send squash if it is for drinking in class time.

[Dumbassmummy]

Amnesty the only person who thinks it’s going a bit too far with telling us what we can and can’t feed our children? What is wrong with a bit of squash? So many children won’t drink plain water (especially little ones) so would the school really prefer a child to dehydrate rather than let them drink squash? I have a 3 yr old in preschool. They only provide water or milk for snack time but they allow squash in the children’s packed lunches. My daughter would go all day without a drink if they didn’t allow it.

[dingit]

What makes me chuckle is , they get to 11 and will be swigging from a full fat bottle of coke, on the way to school at 8am. Or the dc round here do, anyway

[Rockhopper81]

I’m clearly an irresponsible teacher, because I’ve always said to my children, “if I know there’s squash or flavoured water in there, I’ll have to do something about it - if I don’t, I won’t”. Even at 4 they get it. I don’t get the issue with weak squash as a drink, but then my children would have a quick drink and the bottle go back into a tray nowhere near where they were working (4-6 year olds).

I’ve also said to parents (and the Headteacher on 2 occasions), the bottle should contain water but, if they absolutely won’t drink plain water at all, then I’d rather they had weak squash than nothing at all.

As for the plastic bottle requirements - what pure nonsense! Stick to your guns, you are in the right!!

[Bezm]

Firstly, saying your child will not drink water so would dehydrate if they didn't have squash is utter bollox. Children in school will drink the warmest of water if they are thirsty, believe me!
Schools have a responsibility to promote healthy lifestyles. Squash is not a healthy product.
Secondly, if you don't like the fact that your child's school may have a rule that you don't agree with, find another school! Too many fussy parents here that think schools are there to serve their own personal needs. It's appalling that you're arguing about cordial verses water. Many children the world over would love to have this debate... instead of only having access to dirty, infected water.
Why don't you suggest that you'll join the PTA and fund raise for water bottles to be kept in school? My school provides every child with a reusable bottle that we fill every day and wash every evening. No bottles are allowed in from home, except in packed lunches.

[RainbowGlitterFairy]

saying your child will not drink water so would dehydrate if they didn't have squash is utter bollox. Children in school will drink the warmest of water if they are thirsty, believe me!

Actually, some children won't. I've had children get dehydrated before now because they refuse water, which is why I do not check for weak squash/flavoured water. All schools in my area insist on water only, so there is no choosing another school if you don't like it and frankly I have better things to be doing with my time than filling and washing 30 bottles every day.

[MidniteScribbler]

I've never checked a child's drink bottle in my entire career, and don't intend on starting now.

As long as it stays in their bag and doesn't get spilt in my classroom, it's not my problem.

[SuburbanRhonda]

We have neither the time nor inclination to check that bottles contain plain water. In any case, we don’t need to - other children always grass up the secret squash drinkers

[Barbie222]

I can't bear the smell of squash so I won't be smelling any bottles, thanks. Bottles stay at the back of the room and don't make it as far as the tables.

I also can't bear water bottles left over from the day before and will always tell children to tip them out first thing and drink from the fountain that day.

I'll always remember one particular parent who, as the children were walking out of my classroom bottles in hand, gave me an odd look and said "Well, that doesn't need to come home every day!" before marching back into class to replace the used bottle on the rack. I might have made a crack about the tea lady not having been round yet to wash the bottles. Should have just been honest, looking back, and said that bottles don't get washed at school any more than your pe kit does.

[JollyFuckers]

saying your child will not drink water so would dehydrate if they didn't have squash is utter bollox.

I agree with this. The country I live in doesn't have squash, lots don't.

[Boysnme]

I would have done the same as you OP. We break bottles every other week.

Just out of interest what are the bottles you bought? We are always on the look out for decent ones!

[BlackeyedSusan]

mine had squash as it was recommended by hcp as she would not drink water. I di d use the apple dilute squash though. (she drunk it as weak as gnats pee anyway)

[BlackeyedSusan]

saying your child will not drink water so would dehydrate if they didn't have squash is utter bollox.

Guess you have not met many autistic children then.

[DropItLikeASquat]

Hi boysnme,
I bought the bottles from babipur. They are kid canteen bottles from the company clean canteen. www.babipur .co.uk/klean-kaanteen
they are fantastic and super durable, I got a compass and wrote my children names into the bottom of the bottles too so they are less likely to go walkies. My baby has the spouted soppy cup and my others have different colours with the sports cap