Thank you for bringing a spotlight onto lunch shaming in the Bristol Warren Regional schools. Thank you to all who are demonstrating their concern by donating money to protect any children who might otherwise be made to feel like less than they are because of this policy. Thank you to those school committee members who have worked to have this policy changed.

That this ill-conceived, punitive policy exists in our, or any, community is shameful in itself. We as individuals are reduced to putting a Band Aid on the hurt being inflicted by giving more money to the school system which we support by our taxes. This is not a solution.

The only way to be sure this policy is reversed is to demand that our school committee members vote to remove it. The last time it was up for a vote, the policy was endorsed by the current school committee by a 4-5 margin.

It is a puzzle to me why anyone who has sworn to educate, protect and encourage our children would think this policy fulfilled that pledge. What century do we live in when a governmental body advocates that the “the sins of the fathers” are answered by harming the child?

I had hoped that by finding a way outside the system to prevent further harming of our children, the school committee would itself be “shamed” into doing the right thing. Please note that I did not advocate penalizing anyone else because I disagreed with the actions of individual members. I addressed my concerns to those who have the power. I only ask that the committee do the same, and take aim only at those who have the power, the parents, not those children who are themselves being victimized.

It is my understanding that the problem exists mainly in the elementary schools, meaning that not only are children humiliated for something they cannot control, but the smallest, most vulnerable children are the most likely targets.

As a dismissal of concern about lunch shaming, I’ve been told that only “a few children are affected,” as if it is ok to pick on one or two or three children in this manner. It is not ok. It is not ok if only one child is made to feel badly at our hands.

The people who are making these decisions do so on our behalf. The policy does not represent who I am, nor what I want in our educational system. It is not how I expect my tax dollars to be spent.

If you agree, then please question current school committee members about how they have voted and will vote. Question school committee candidates running for office in November how they will vote. Let them all know how you feel, and that you will not accept the status quo.

We can abolish this policy, as have other communities in our state, and across the country. I hope this policy will be a sad memory in the coming year.

Anne C. Kellerman

Bristol