[Born Conservative]

I am posting this after reading the PA message board today. Apparently, our state government, headed by none other than Fast Eddy Rendell, is planning on mandatory BMI measurements on all of our children, and notifying parents if our child/children are outside the normal range. According to the message postings on the PA board, this is going to start next school year.

As an RN, I certainly recognize the problem of obesity (as well as the "co-morbid" conditions that accompany it, such as Type II Diabetes, Hypertension, etc.), but schools are for EDUCATION, and physicians are for HEALTH CARE. If the schools want to approach this issue from an education angle (i.e. teaching proper eating and the importance of exercise in Health class), I have no problem with it. But this is crossing a line over which they don't belong. Thoughts anyone?

[Born Conservative]

Intrusive PA Screwls ping...

[cyborg]

really none of their damned business

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Maybe fast Eddie should have his BMI checked......

[sneakers]

bump

[mountaineer]

another 17 percent are at risk of being overweight.

Actually, we're all "at risk" of being overweight, if we pig out on chicken wings and cold cuts on a daily basis like Gov. Rendell, that is!

[ladylib]

BMI measurements have been tried elsewhere and they are not popular with students or parents.

But what does that matter? The schools are better parents than the parents and parents should just get used to it.

[ladylib]

So, you think the schools' mission is to impart academic knowledge? Wherever did you get that idea?/sarcasm.

[pubmom]

Fast Eddie and the policies of his administration are not sitting well with the educators I work with on a regular basis. They sneer at his claim of being "The Education Governor."

I told them not to blame me, I didn't vote for him.

As I wrote on the state message board, this has already angered one of the officers of another PTA within our district. It will have a similar effect on others. I have no idea what the National or State PTA, who never met a busybody program they didn't love, will say about this. My guess is they'll be supportive of this wretched mandate. To be fair, I should probably contact them directly for the answer.

Thus far PTA on a district, state and national level has failed to impress me. Let me just add that I'm speaking as a local unit President.

PTA supports the policies of the Democratic party, make no mistake about that.

[Safetgiver]

Another step towards socialized medicine... thanks to Fast Eddy and the public schools.