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Aleena Khan reaches for some lettuce Wednesday during the preschooler's lunch period at Heritage Elementary School in Lodi. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)
Muslim parents concerned with what children are eating at Heritage Primary Elementary
Israr Khan is concerned about his 4-year-old daughter's lunch choices at Heritage Primary Elementary.
Since she is enrolled in the state-operated pre-school program, the girl can choose from any of the cafeteria offerings even if they don't align with her Muslim diet or aren't "halal."
"They say it's the kids' choice, but they are 3 (years old) and hardly know what is right or wrong," Khan said.
He and a trio of men attended Tuesday's Lodi Unified school board meeting requesting a new policy that allows parents to accompany their children through the cafeteria line.
At issue is the Muslim diet.
Because of religious beliefs, they are not allowed to eat pork or other meat that is slaughtered improperly. Things such as Jell-O are also off limits because they are made with gelatin, an animal by-product.
In years past, the school district has created many choices for students with special dietary needs such as vegetarians. This includes offering a salad bar on most campuses and cheese pizza as an alternative to the meat version. Schools also serve bean and cheese burritos and cheese nachos.
However, lunchtime at Heritage's pre-school program is instructional time where the teacher's focus is having students make choices, according to Principal Maria Cervantes.
"So if they decide to choose a forbidden food, he or she is allowed to do so," she said.
The district has dealt with this issue in the past at its two pre-school sites, according to Florence Costamagna, director of school readiness and pre-school programs. Only last year, Heritage's participants did not eat lunch in the cafeteria and instead received a snack of graham crackers and milk in the classroom.
At Heritage, 12 percent of its enrollment is Pakistani.
"When they're in pre-school, they're not really ready to make that decision," Cervantes said of students picking the permissible foods. "How do they distinguish between the hamburger they can eat at home and the one at school? That's hard for a 3-and-half-year-old."
Further, the district's pepperoni used on its meat pizza is made of turkey.
"Obviously our turkey or chicken nuggets are not halal," Cervantes added. "But by first grade they pretty much know what they can have."
Community member Shahnawez Khan asked board members Tuesday to adopt a policy to allow parents to accompany their pre-schoolers through the lunch line to make good choices.
Halal at a glance
Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. The opposite of halal is haram, which is unlawful or prohibited. Halal and haram are universal terms that apply to all facets of life, but especially in relation to food, meat, cosmetic and personal care products.All foods are considered halal, except the following:
— Swine/pork and its byproducts
— Animals improperly slaughtered or dead before slaughtering
— Animals killed in the name of anyone other than Allah
— Alcohol and intoxicants
— Carnivorous animals, birds of prey and land animals without external ears
— Blood and blood byproducts
— Foods contaminated with any of the above products
Source: Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America
"That matter should be resolved quickly because we do not want our kids to eat something forbidden," he said.
Both Costamagna and Catherine Pennington, assistant superintendent of primary education, are working on solutions to be culturally respective of the parents' requests.
"We're exploring additional clarification from the state," Costamagna said of the state funding being tied to the program's three hours of instruction time, including lunch. "I see this as something we can work out as a team."
Cervantes recommended that students bring their own lunch when there is no acceptable item on the menu, but that is not allowed in the state pre-school program, she said. Board president Richard Jones, who is also the president of the local Boys and Girls Club, received a number of phone calls and visits Tuesday from Pakistani families concerned with Heritage's food offerings.
"They think because I am the president and at the Boys and Girls Club, I can solve everything," he told his peers during the meeting's board member comment section. "I made sure they understood I am only one of seven."
Trustees cannot act on items during public comment, but Pennington talked with the group after two men addressed the board Tuesday.
Cervantes, who met with some parents earlier in the day and felt the meeting went well, plans to label the table and color-code the vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices before explaining to students what is available.
The pre-school teacher will also discuss with the Muslim children what foods their parents say is appropriate to eat.
"But ultimately when it comes to lunch, the child makes the final choice. That's a little hard," Cervantes said. "The teacher can't physically stop them from reaching out and picking up what they want to eat."
Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.
Comments on this story are now closed.
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Oh Bull ! wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:46 AM:
Then I'm going to say our school would love to have a salad bar for the kids to choose from. These parents need to realize that there are bigger problems than the lunch at our schools!! Are they even going to be able to stay open, provide teachers, or paper and pencils.Pack a lunch(Don't understand why they can't bring it)Preschool is usually a half day anyways and it sounds like this preschool thing the district is running needs to be looked at to reduce$$$$$! "
Journey wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:45 AM:
Wickster wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:45 AM:
turricha2 wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:43 AM:
stella wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:43 AM:
Journey wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:43 AM:
blossom wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:37 AM:
NO SUCH THING! You either ADAPT or LEAVE!
There is no catoring what so ever in other countries... Why should the USA?
I agree pack your lunch but, That costs money and isnt free now is it??
Too bad "
freespeech wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:28 AM:
LodiReaderFromStockton wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:23 AM:
Most of you are also illiterate since you seem to miss the part where they say these kids in the preschool CAN NOT bring a bag lunch. "
jbhiker wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:21 AM:
pooreastside wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:11 AM:
What about the Seventh Day Adventist,most of their children can't eat pork, but I don't see them in line making sure their kid doesn't eat pork or whatever??
Shall we cater to every group there is or what? "
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:08 AM:
Then are we going to apply the same standard to every other child "For 3 Hours" for every other nationality, or just for the "Muslims"?
How absurd!
And to think we are talking about a 3 hour period of instruction.
Children should NEVER be used as pawns to "Further any religion!" "
tosh conn wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:00 AM:
weezer wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:57 AM:
These are 3-year olds. They don't even know much about what "choice" means. What kind of god would punish them for that? "
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:55 AM:
It is my opinion that if Muslims do not choose to accept our religion, "They will not be subjugated or killed, but live in peace. I believe the Quran has a different outlook on people who refuse to accept and follow the Muslim religion:
I tried to browse thru the Quran to find info about what pre-school children can or cannot eat, but in the time allotted, I admit I couldn't. I did however, come across these verses:
See below:
Quran: {The infidels are your sworn enemies Sura 4:101}
Quran {Prophet, make war on the infidels Sura 66: 9
Quran {Never be a helper to the disbelievers Sura 28:86}
Make war on The infidels who dwell around you Sura 9:123
Kill The disbelievers wherever we find them (Sura 2:191)
I am proud to be an infidel. "
Brian wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:42 AM:
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:35 AM:
This is ridiculous! But have no fears! This will eventually lead to Law Suits and $$$$ Out of Court settlements so this little squabble in the LNS is really in truth "Small stuff"!
Imagine if every white parent, native American parent, Asian, African American and every other nationality in Lodi gave the schools a "List of Demands" of what their child "Can and Cannot eat?
What a wonderful cafeteria nightmare we would have. Cry me a river of tears, sorry I have no tissue for you. the key word here, "Minus allergy health defense" is "ADAPT" or "Home school" your precious lil child! "
Brian wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:34 AM:
The very belief system of many Muslims is if you are not a Muslim you must be subjigated to second class citizenry
or killed. Find me another religion that abides by these philosophies in modern times? "
PAL wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:31 AM:
jrs wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:28 AM:
Brian wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:27 AM:
How else can your describe destroying entire ethinic groups in order to "Help" them?
Now Now. Let's not sling mud at liberals for having double standards.:) "
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:26 AM:
jrs wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:26 AM:
cmd wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:24 AM:
Are the teachers going to focus on student choice when a child with a severe allergy to nuts or fish attends their school? Or are they going to make special exceptions for that child, but ignore the wishes of the other parents because their dietary restrictions are rooted in religion?
For those of you that keep saying they should bring their own lunch . . . how about actually reading the article instead of just the headline before you put your two cents in. “[Bringing their own lunch] is not allowed in the state pre-school program, she said.” "
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:23 AM:
jrs wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:22 AM:
weezer wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:22 AM:
Labeling the table and color-coding the vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices is a good start.
Ultimately, if the kids---regardless of religion for that matter---chose something outside of their "permitted" foods, then, they're just "being kids" and not as young "infidels." "
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:21 AM:
It appears from this article that Muslims are being very intolerant.
Face it folks.... this world does NOT revolve around 1 person or 1 religious group in America! Contribute to helping make this a better country instead of whining merely for the purpose of being in the LNS! "
Brian wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:21 AM:
t jefferson wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:20 AM:
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:18 AM:
" Right with your jrs - glad you admit your faults. Progressives are the biggest racist and bigots in America. How else can your describe destroying entire ethinic groups in order to "Help" them?"
Pray tell, how are we Destroying an "Ethnic group by feeding children all the same meal, as well as being sensitive to allergy issues"? Answer me this:
Why are Muslim loving PARENTS "Refusing to adapt and pack their lil ones a sack lunch like any other American Mom or Dad would do? "
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:15 AM:
Good Lord! Now the Muslims are trying to "FORCE THEIR VIEWS of Religion onto schools! Part of being an American of different nationalities is to "ASSIMILATE" into that countries culture, assuming everyone has a green card, or born into that Country, ie America.
A BROWN BAG LUNCH IS NOT AN ISSUE" AND IT'S not HARD FOR A PARENT TO DO THE NIGHT BEFORE OR THAT MORNING if they want to get out of bed! AFTER ALL, IT "IS THEIR PRECIOUS MUSLIM CHILD", RIGHT! Why do Muslims in particular seem to be attempting to FORCE America to "DO AS THEY DEMAND"? That is not a racist comment but one of Rational Observation.
If the schools don't give in, what can we expect in retaliation? "
t jefferson wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:14 AM:
jrs wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:10 AM:
It seems as though ignorance and bigotry are ALIVE AND WELL in liveable, loveable, Lodi. "
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:01 AM:
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:00 AM:
It's worth knowing! How do you slaughter a pig properly?
Brown bag it my Muslim Lodi Neighbors! Quit complaining about "How mistreated your children are. They aren't!" "
T & C wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:57 AM:
t jefferson wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:51 AM:
Ratzinger wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:34 AM:
jimp wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:27 AM:
It's not how it's killed that's important, it's how it's BBQ'd. If God hadn't meant for us to eat pork, he wouldn't have made pigs out of meat. "
Ratzinger wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:22 AM:
Ratzinger wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:22 AM:
shannonlee05 wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:06 AM:
educator wrote on Oct 22, 2009 6:58 AM:
Acampo_Mom wrote on Oct 22, 2009 6:58 AM:
If my kids' schools were offering them a bunch of crap (ie. sodas/energy drinks, candy, etc...stuff I wouldn't normally let them have) in the lunch line and I wasn't allowed to send a bag lunch with them, I might have wanted to walk through the lunch line with them as well!
I've also had kids over to my house that had to go home at meal times, because they were vegetarians. That's what he does when his kids are at a friend's house, he has them come home at meals times!
What if, instead of religious beliefs, that a child had allergies? Again, a parent might need to help the child (they are REALLY young) pick their foods.
OMG...it's not that insane! "
t jefferson wrote on Oct 22, 2009 6:52 AM:
Why is this even a news article? Given the separation of Church and state, why are the religious needs of any religion taken into account in a public institutions? Offer what is common fare and the kids can eat it or not. If this was a christian these people would have been told to go packing.
Someday we will figure this type of stuff out, I just hope it isn't too late. Glad we have taught others to rely on the government to solve all problems, what a way to assimilate into American culture. "
Neo wrote on Oct 22, 2009 6:46 AM:
Galtguy wrote on Oct 22, 2009 5:57 AM:
Is this REALLY the time to start complaining about the menu at school? Muslims arn't exactly on the average Americans list of favorite people to send Christmas cards too.
If you don't want your kids to eat something served at the school then cafeteria then brown bag it.
"requesting a new policy that allows parents to accompany their children through the cafeteria line"
This has got to be the most rediculus thing I've ever heard! Do you not have a job? Let me ask you this Mr. Muslim, what do you do when your kid is over at a friends house?
OMG this is insane! "
Comments on this story are now closed.