Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Apparently Bottles Okay in School Lobby

Last Monday I took Lily to speech. Addison was napping when it was time to go, my husband happened to be home so I left the other kids home and went alone with Lily. When we arrived, Ms. Rattray approached me and showed me the designated waiting area for "parents with preschoolers." It was a conference room attached to the guidance counselor's office. Since I was without preschoolers, I waited in the lobby as usual.

I brought Lily for speech today and had all my girls with me. Even though I don't think what they are doing is right or legal, it's awkward enough to go there, I didn't want to get in a fight about it in front of my kids. We only have 3 more speech therapy sessions left anyway so I decided just to cooperate for now and I waited in the "parents with preschoolers" area. Lily went to speech and it was time to go. On our way out we walked through the lobby and what did I see? A mother sitting in the lobby holding a baby with a bottle of formula sitting on the table next to them! I took a picture with my phone, it's blurry. I couldn't hold my hand still enough without making it obvious what I was doing. You may also recall, there was also a baby being bottle-fed in the lobby when I dropped off my original letter to Ms. Rattray on April 29th.



So perhaps to be fair, instead of putting up a "No Food and Drink" sign in their lobby, they should have put up a sign that said, "No food, drink, breasts, bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, administering medicine or nurturing your child in this area."

Some have asked in the comments for information on how to contact the school. So far it has not done any good, but below is the information. I appreciate your support. I ask that all letters to the principal, her supervisor or the school board are kept friendly and professional. We have science and logic on our side so I don't think it's necessary to resort to name-calling as some have in the negative comments I've received. Again, thanks so much.


To write to Ms. Lynn Rattray, principal of Bellamy Elementary School:


9720 Wilsky Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33615


To write to Ms. Lisa Yost, Area II Director (Ms. Rattray's supervisor):

7958 Gunn Highway
Tampa, FL 33626


To email the School Board members click here.

6 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. This makes me so mad. I contacted the school board and got a rubbish response that I think they made up it was so bad. Twice seeing formula feeding happening in the same area means they are against breastfeeding - it makes me so sad.

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  3. This is terrible and I hate that you are going through this. I wonder if at this point, it's about power and no longer about breastfeeding.

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  4. I'm sorry to say, but I really think it's time to speak with a lawyer even if it's only to touch on the discrimination part. They need to know that what they are doing unacceptable.

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  5. Hi Melissa!

    I just came by your blog to see if there were anymore news about this whole horrible issue. Are you and your husband going the legal route now? What can we do to continue supporting breastfeeding women and press for a breastfeeding-friendly policy to be officially adopted by the district?

    Happy summer,

    Jordy

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  6. Hi Jordy, check back soon. I plan to post an update soon, I just need to get a few things finalized. Thanks for your support!

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