Or is school out of order

[mazu]

Dd8 (yr3) while sat at the table spied a box of Nestlé cereal on the table and announced she would not be touching any of it (it wasn't hers and wasn't offered to her). She then goes of to say she would not be buying anything from them as they are horrible people and goes on full blown attack on the brand and palm oil and orangutans. I'm sat there stunned at are very strong beliefs and thought perhaps she's seen an advert on YouTube kids about it.
On the contrary it turns out her at school they were taught about the evil that Nestlé is and that they were told to write letters to the president Mr Schneider to tell him they hate nestle because they damage forests and kill orangutans.

She then spent the entire weekend feeling guilty anytime she has eaten anything with palm oil chocolate, Nutella , bread, crisps I mean everything! She pretty much stopped eating by last night.

While I am up for teaching children about environmental and ethical responsibility at a young age AIBU to feel the school went too far? I made me feel quite angry that they could pretty much teach my child the politics that could shape her entire life and little ones are quite vulnerable and without a balanced view of the facts I do not want this to be the way my child is taught about issues. I want her to read and form her own opinions not spew garbage based on someone else's agenda. Bear in mind the issue here is now the Nestlé as I'm fully aware of the atrocities they have committed in the past.

Are you saying that the other 8 parents also had children who came home and presented in the same way? Or did you just fuel the fire? Talk to the teacher if you have any concerns. Who has said categorically that these letters are going to be sent? This seems to be your main rant. I bet nobody else gave it a thought.

Thinking about another thread running that is despairing of the dull, boring NC. I wonder if those schools once had teachers that thought outside the box but due to parents making mountains out of molehills decided it wasn't worth the effort?

2. I should be informed if my child is going to take part int any lobbying outside of the school seeing as it's such a small school (single class stream of 15 pupils)
It's not lobbying.
I really appreciate all your OBJECTIVE replies
Aka people who agree with me
I've actually been chatting to a few parents in DD class this morning and they also feel strongly about the letters
I always wonder about this when I hear it because friends of mine will tell me how they've been accosted in group chats or at the gate by people who've got bees in their bonnets and they've politely listened and gone on their way only to hear later that the gate person has taken their polite listening as proof that all the parents support them.

If you want to raise the issue then raise the issue but you're going to be hard work at secondary school when they cover a range of issues in all sorts of subjects. Are you going to want a topic list so you can do your own supervised research before each One?

Actually I went on WhatsApp, we have a parents group on there unfortunately I don't use the app frequently myself so wasn't aware that a discussion had already been raging on since Friday. I had actually gone on there to voice my opinion but I actually found no need to as my sentiments had already been shared.

It's been quite interesting to hear what the kids took away from the lesson to be honest. Very different take homes from each child it appears. Either way those of you who said at least it prompted discussion were absolutely right.

And no I meant objective as in those that stayed on topic and not those who went on a tangent. PS objectivity has nothing to do with agreeing with me. I welcome opinions and posting on here and expecting anything less than that is a bit daft.

Oh, how lovely : a Whatsapp group so that parents can freely bitch about and/or criticise the pedagogy of qualified teachers. Charming.

You're just miffed that your daughter pointed out that your much loved cereal and its apparent sentimental value has been produced by a company with questionable ethics. Your daughter has made valid points that you don't want to think about or be responsible for in any way.

It is important they learn what is behind the food on their plate and have knowledge of the affect of that food chain. Nestle was used as an example to bring it to life. Good on your daughter and the school.

Ha ha ha piggy! Actually the group is quite a useful tool. It's a shame I'm really on there much engage much in it.

Actually I'm not miffed at all she called me out on my beloved cereal in fact I actually made her aware that if she is to hate Nestlé there's more to it than palm oil then I pointed out the baby formula saga. Is it so wrong that I wanted the discussion about palm oil to have more depth than just Nestlé? How about Cadbury and all the other companies. I would have preferred the discussion focused on a broad range of offensive products and the impact.

The personal attacks are purely unnecessary I wanted to hear real thoughts on lesson content and permission which most people have delved into without malice.

My students all watch 'I'm A Celebrity : I took the opportunity to show them an artcicle or two about animal cruelty to balance this out. Your DC's school is balancing out passive consumerist views about palm oil.

Like other posters have said (and you have ignored) it is highly unlikely that these letters are going to Nestle. If you are unhappy with that, then check with the school. If they intend to send them ,ask the to remove your DDs. Simple.

Nothing at all wrong with teaching children they have the power to challenge and lobby. And teaching them how to do this formally and properly. You ahve many years of schooling ahead fo you and your DD : by the tiem she gets to secondary you won't know anything she is doing, anythign like you do in primary (unless she tells you). There will be assembly topics you might not agree with, or might want to dissect, history topics and RS discussions and English topics and texts.. That part of the job is called parenting.

I got my students a few years ago to lobby write to Michael Gove about his new Englsih curriculum. It was the best work they ever did and taught them massively important skills for their writing. The minute you ask parents anything, you will never be able to do anything, because there will always be those who question or disagree!

and really, what I think you are actually heavily implying is that you know more about it than your DD's teacher...

piggy
I did a similar thing last year using the news about the arts being marginalised as a stimulus (a class with lots of artists, musicians and thespians).
It was quite interesting reading what they felt about the curriculum and assessment. It made for some insightful pieces of writing.

I've also read some excellent pieces on Brexit (both sides before anyone starts with the school lobbying claims).
Maybe we should stop doing things like that in case there's a parent WhatsApp group bitching about our lessons.

Definitely a persuasive writing lesson with the advert used as a hook to interest the children. It sounds like a great lesson as it got your DC interested which is the whole point of writing persuasively. Teachers can use their own judgement as to what will interest children and produce amazing writing, at our school we try to link to topic/another area of the national curriculum, such as geography/history. At parents' evening you may be given a chance to look at your DC's book, if so have a read of this piece of writing it's probably a very good piece of work

You're just miffed that your daughter pointed out that your much loved cereal and its apparent sentimental value has been produced by a company with questionable ethics. Your daughter has made valid points that you don't want to think about or be responsible for in any way.

Yes that's how the OP comes across to me, too. The op's subsequent posts are all over the place as far as logic and reasoning goes, which makes me think it shouldn't be left up to her to teach her daughter reasoning skills.

Informing parents especially on hot topics prepares them for said discussions do you not think? At no point have I said I've ignored any aspect of points raised (where did that come from) I also do have older children and the schools have always informed and prepared parents via newsletters and various communications. I am fortunate to be aware of the issues DD and was able to respond accordingly. No?

I'm delighted we have teachers on board. Clearly from your posts it serves your purpose if parents are on board and aware because 1 hour with 15 to whatever class size you have doesn't provide ample opportunity to deliver all there is to know about most topics. I'm sure you teach to hopefully inspire young minds to be curious and hopefully do further research and develop broader views on the topics? Surely it's primitive to have a teacher knows it all attitude and children thrive when then learn both at school and home with parents supporting the hard work that you do.

I can't comment on Nestle, but I know Mr Schneider personally (not through Nestle) and he is the nicest man.
The idea of him being sent hate mail is really upsetting.

'Hate mail' from a bunch of 8 year olds ??!

Calling people out on dangerous practices is not hate mail.

I think it's wonderful and you should feel proud of your daughter. Why not do some research together into responsible sources of palm oil and see if there are any alternative products that you could buy?

Well done school & well done your daughter. My son has been taught from a very early age that we don't buy nestle as they are complete bastards.

OK, to be clear, what you have ignored is all the posters who say the letters are very very unlikely to actually be sent to Nestle. This is what you claim is your bone of contention. Of ocurse you wouldn't say you have ignored this ; because you are ignoring it!

I can tell you, in my school, we very rarely inform parents in any detail in advance about any topics. And certainly not how we will approach them or assess their understanding.

You seem to have a parent knows all attitude , to be frank, OP!

Mr Schneider may not have been responsible for the aggressive baby formula marketing resulting in the deaths of babies worldwide (hopefully that has stopped now if he is as nice as you say) but as the new CEO he is responsible for any current Nestle wrongdoings. Surely schoolchildren pointing this out is not 'hate mail'?

Hate mail is a little strong, but I imagine if its railing up a school to mass message him he'll be getting stronger worded letters from others.

At a guess, he knows what is in the products so I doubt he needs it pointing out by a bunch of children.

FWIW, if I remember correctly, he is a vegetarian and I know for a fact his personal household is run very eco consciously.

YABVU

Well, if you are aware of Nestle's unethical practices- why are buying their products? Well done your dd and her school, I say

^This.

NameChangeOhNameChange1 so people shouldn’t be allowed to let him know their feelings on his products? If he’s advocating them (which he is, by selling them) people have every right to make their feelings known.

Piggy I invite you to highlight the post I have made which I have made it clear I'm ignoring this point of view. FYI the TA is a part of the group and so it's not some rabid parents bitching and she has said the letters will be posted what now?

All big food companies are part of this (yes, all. some just have better PR departmentscthan others). i would expect to school to provide a balanced view.