F

AT

FAT!

I cannot imagine why the district sought or allowed this endorsement. I can only speculate that perhaps a McDonald's franchisee sits on the board or the PTA.

The major prob I have with this is that they're advertising on an official paper from the school district. It doesn't look official, it looks like a McDonalds ad. I'd be calling the district to find out what the deal is (And claim that McDonalds is a religious cult and the school district shouldn't be endorsing them).

I think it's a pretty cool incentive. My school district never offered anything like that as a kid. But I'd rather see Coldstone as a sponsor, that McDs.

@R3PUBLIC0N: Photoshop? I just had to look really close.

And you've gotta admit, at least Chuck E. Cheese has the good sense to keep their ads for this program inside the restaurants.

@spinachdip: Seconded on Trader Joe's. I hear there's this thing about cooking for one's self, but due to pack rat parents, I'm totally unfamiliar with the concept.

Good God.

let them eat their damn happy meals.

Personally I don't like it, but it looks like it's necessary in this case with tight funding. I agree with those above who say it teaches a lesson that doing well will earn you the occasional treat/reward as long as the parents reinforce this line of thinking when taking their children to claim it.

Sidenote, I'd like to hear from the libertarians out there. Isn't this exactly what you want?

Back in elementary school, a B or better rewarded you a wheel of coupons. This ranged from a free game of bowling and laser tag to free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut and Free fries from McDonalds. Taco Bell gave out free cinasticks.

I guess the fact that McDonalds would stoop this low would be sad to, but I guess my expectations were already pretty low on that front...

I actually don't disagree with you on parental responsibility, but that still doesn't make it right for schools to sell themselves to the highest bidder and allow them to exploit kids who are more susceptible to promotional tactics like this.

Food makers who target children claim, "Our advertising doesn't have any effect on obesity. We just put out what the kids want and the parents buy." But then I wonder, why are they spending billions on advertising if it's not really up to them?

@sonichghog: yeah, but arcades aren't as bad. Most of them have basketball hoops and other games that at least require you to stand up for an hour or so.

Is it wrong for me to reward my child with some ice cream for hard work and success? I think not.

It is my responsibility to teach my child that ice cream is a treat. Or that McDonald's is not a healthy meal, but fun to have on occasion.

@K-Bo: Wasn't there a list on this site a few weeks go showing how bad the non fast food menues were for you.

I think there was some pasta dish out there that would make eating 2 big macs look like the healthy choise.

@SaraAB87: But sureley someone will moan about how Video Games are bad for kids.

They do similar things at my cousin's school (currently) and frankly it sickens me. They give out coupons for free McDonalds for good grades, good behavior perfect attendance etc..

The arcade tokens are a much better idea except there aren't any arcades around here that have this promotion, its a good idea provided you don't eat at the arcade and they will probably get more excercise at the arcade then they do at home.

The problem isn't the "we'll give you free crap food for good grades" part, it's that McDonald's advertising is plastered on the report card itself. I want my kids (and everyone else's, for that matter) to go to school to learn things, not to be subtly indoctrinated into good little fast food consumers. They should give Ronald a little tag that says "School Nutritionist" -- that would be the icing on the cake.

@Mike_: Same here

Well, seeing as the Florida schools have their funds tied up in subprime investments, I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg.

At least there's some positive reinforcement for the good grades or attendance. Not everyone here thinks it's positive -- but most kids do. Can't you just see the little bookworm going up to the cashier with the report card? Come on, it's all good

My 2nd grader just got a personal pan pizza certificate to go with the other ten that she has. She has also has gotten free taco certificates. Both for meeting reading goals. This is in Virginia. I agree with the rewarding part, but why fast food? How about free cheap merchandise or something.

"McDonald's does not advertise in schools...

Someone from corporate will take this seriously in 5...4...3...

McDonalds is not making kids fat. Its the parents of the fat kids that are making them fat.

I remember when i was little (back in the late 70s/early 80s) Mcdonalds occasionally worked with schools to offer free food as incentives to good grades or during some special school event. They never advertised on report cards or in school, but special coupons were given out as rewards by teachers for good grades etc. etc..

It didnt happen often & was pretty low-key.

Yes, our McD's offered free something with a good report card when I was a kid (DECADES ago). But, that envelope is essentially a McD's advertisement, which is very not cool for a school to be issuing. Plus, it's poorly written, and it's "two or fewer absences," not "two or less." Shouldn't a school, at least, be using proper grammar?