National Dairy Council "Educational" Materials

[mum2sarah]

Hey everyone, it's been a while, but I just had a quick question. In my daughter's folder today, I was appalled by the workbook of propaganda from the National Dairy Council that was included. I want to email her teacher about my disapproval of these "educational" materials, but I wanted to know if anyone has some advice as to how to do so tactfully. I would like to briefly address the misconceptions this pamphlet perpetuates such as painting a picture of a happy cow on a farm with plenty of space to roam around, and statements such as "foods in the milk group help you stay healthy," and forcing the children to fill in the blank of "Milk Group foods help build____" So I'd like to send her teacher some eye-opening factual links, but not militant ones. Any suggestions on links or how to word things in the email.

[jewels]

i see you posted this a few weeks ago but thought i would reply anyways. i don't have any links to give you just advice from my experience with my 7 yr old. most people cant wrap their mind around the meaning of the word vegan much less the ethical or even health reasons why. with my daughter i take opportunities like that to explain why we are vegan. if she were to have something that where she had to fill in the blank why milk is good for her i would have her write the word soy before milk and tell her why that is good for her and better than milk even. this is the approach that works for me because i cant get upset about this kinda stuff anymore all i can do is raise my little vegan army/family and if people are interested in veganism give them educated responses to any stupid question they may have or smart question though i haven't really had one of those before.

[jewels]

actually i was thinking about it and i think my prior response was lazy minded. i dont think the teacher is the place to be very effective. they are getting stuff from the national dairy council so i think to them it makes their lesson planning load easier. if you really want to do something about it join the pta, get in contact with the local school board. i should be so motivated but these days im just so freaking lazy. maybe this is a wake up call for me. i mean they took religion out of school so people dont feel alienated and so people dont feel something forced on them that isnt their beliefs. there are vegetarian options in many schools now. if people are motivated enough something could be done but you have to take the bull by the horns, not a real bull because that wouldnt be vegan. more like the b.s. by the horns. ;o

[veganloraine]

I've endured similar situations at my son's school. I completely empathize with how you're feeling. I think Jewel has great advice about approaching the school board. Consuming cow's milk is worse for your health than consuming the cow herself. Arm yourself with milk facts and the fact that many students have severe milk allergies, and many many many more are lactose intollerant. The Canadian Food Guide lists fruits and vegetables at the top of the food guide rainbow, yet I've never seen the Ontario Broccoli Growers at my son's school. Why are the milk boards, Canadian and American, so intent on getting children to consume more milk?? They know it's evil. They know we (and the Internet) are starting to tell our children it's evil and they don't have a pus bag to stand on.
Good luck!
Let us know what happens.

[Vega]

I think the reason the schools push the propaganda so much is because the Dairy Board has millions and millions of dollars that they invest in lobbying schools and governments and advertising to Americans. If schools ended their contracts with the milk companies, the Dairy Board would lose millions. I'm sure the Dairy Board also donates money to these schools as a thank you for the contract. It's the same with the Beef Board and other large boards. They'll continue to push that milk is good for strong bones and teeth until someone else has enough money to out-advertise and out-lobby them. It's up to parents at grassroots levels to push schools to be more educated and aware of the dangers of milk.

[veganloraine]

I think Vega is quite right about about large groups, like the dairy council, being able to buy their way into schools. I've heard that some schools in the States force their students to watch commercials at school and listen to them on the bus. Money and the need for it can do a lot of bad things for our children in public schools.