Middle Schooler Sent To Detention For Sharing Lunch With Another Student

Middle schooler Kyle Bradford had a choice to throw away a lunch he didn’t want or give it to another student who did. When he opted to share, he was sent to detention.

When the 13-year-old middle schooler shared his lunch with a fellow student — who was more than happy to take it — he never imagined he would end up sitting in detention. But that’s exactly what happened at Weaverville Elementary School in Weaverville, California, on Tuesday.

“It seemed like he couldn’t get a normal lunch so I just wanted to give mine to him because I wasn’t really that hungry and it was just going to go in the garbage if I didn’t eat it,” said Bradford of the incident, according to KRCTV.

As parents, we teach our kids not to throw away food, so Kyle naturally thought that giving his chicken burrito to a student who only had an unappealing cheese sandwich was better than the food ending up in the garbage. However, his actions go against the district’s policies.

According to Trinity Alps Unified School District, the rule is not as crazy as it sounds, and they have it in place to protect students who suffer from food allergies.

“We have a policy that prohibits students from exchanging meals. Of course, if students are concerned about other students not having enough to eat we would definitely want to consider that, but because of safety and liability we cannot allow students to actually exchange meals,” said Tom Barnett, the school Superintendent.

Kyle’s mother, Sandy Bradford, is not upset at her son, who she says did the right thing. The woman doesn’t believe the school district should have sent her middle schooler to detention for sharing his lunch.

“By all means the school can teach them math and the arithmetic and physical education, but when it comes to morals and manners and compassion, I believe it needs to start at home with the parent,” Sandy said.

The middle schooler doesn’t regret his actions, and says he would share his lunch again if a friend wanted some of the food.

Do you think this school district was out of line for sending this middle schooler to detention for sharing his lunch?

[Image via Shutterstock]