Ms. Kathy Wilson is talking about the segment of Portsmouth that receives free or reduced price lunches.

The Pilot definitely mentioned that it was the middle class segment that ran up meal bills without paying. Some owed $100 for the year, with meals at only 85 cents. That is over a hundred meals in 180 schooldays. Some people never paid for a meal the entire year. Yup!

I agree that the school should have a sandwich available when kids forget their money, then just let it go. Nobody needs more than a good sandwich in order to get through the afternoon academically. If the kids want more food, let them work it out with their parents. My son is in a private school and takes a sandwich, an apple, and a Rice Krispie treat every day. I have never heard him mention being ashamed to do that! Sincerely, Mary G. Martin

Have been the problem. Follow the money. The National Education Association is a teacher's union that has benefited from all of this. The more responsibility the teachers have, the more they want pay raises, the more union dues they pay and more power goes to the labor union. Support school vouchers and get the labor unions out of the classrooms! The NEA is against these vouchers because it allows more kids to get out of their grasp and get a great private school education in a non-union environment. Right now it costs an average of just over $10,000 per year per student for public education. Just think of the wave of affordable private schools that would be available with the voucher system.

Conservative policies have driven 5 million children into poverty?! Just like a liberal - completely fabricate a fact to prove a point.

Kate, I am not without compassion. But I also am not without reality. I work with inner city kids on a periodic basis. I help them to be resourceful but responsible. Adults by and large underestimate the ability of today’s youth. If we would just challenge them and encourage them through those challenging moments, they will become far better that just throwing food at them. When our public schools left the notion of being educators and took on the roles of social engineers our children felt betrayed and became resourceful in the irresponsible way and parents gave up being parents. Why should they be parents, they have the public educators to do it for them.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

With all due respect, it is very difficult for students to learn if their bodies and minds are not ready to absorb facts and figures because their bellies are aching for nourishment. Unfortunately, since we can't always depend on today's children having food in their homes, due to many societal shortcomings, drugs being perhaps the main one, it seems schools no longer have the luxury of simply being teaching institutions. When I was a director of a preschool, I couldn't believe how many children arrived hungry. Can you just imagine a five or six year old being so hungry they quietly and shyly ask for a piece of cheese or slice of bread?

Conservatives are to blame? Being poor has become a badge of honor, and that is the real problem. I realized this when I heard kids brag about getting free lunch, and my folks had to pay for it. It was in elementary school. I asked my parents, both blue collar, why some kids got it for free, and they explained it to me. I now understand that ANY system which rewards those who are without or who do not produce, will guarantee the continuing of the behavior. If it works for rich kids why wouldn't the same principal apply to poor kids. Rich parents who give kids stuff without having earned it breeds irresponsibility... Right? Then how come rewarding the "richest" poor people in the world doesn't work the same way? By the way, I once saw the late ODB (famous rapper) cash a welfare check, at the height of his fame, while being filmed by MTV. He thought it was hilarious. Imagine what it would have taken our grandparents to take a handout, and this guy thinks it's funny. Any questions why welfare has become a joke?

The Phoebus high school teacher misread Kerry's column. Portsmouth lunches are cheap enough as it is; make parents more accountable.

How can it be that the schools don't have current contact information for the parents? What would happen if a student was injured, and the school couldn't contact the parent or guardian?

The writer needs to go back and read Kerry's column again as she completely missed the point. Children are not going hungry because of "conservative" ideals. Over half (62%) of the Portsmouth schools attendees get FREE or reduced lunches already. What is a pity is the other less than half (38%) that are required to keep paying but, for some reason, don't. Maybe they are tired of watching freeloaders get over on the system and are rebelling. It is kind of hard witnessing Escalade driving, cell phone gabbing, manicured "poor" people being entitled to and abusing welfare without getting a little rankled.

I completely understand Ms. Wilson’s concern for the wellbeing of the children who may not be receiving the nourishment they need from home. But this is not a “conservative policies” issue. This is a parenting issue. The parents of children today are so wrapped up in their own pursuits of material things and luxuries they cannot afford that they have neglected the children. Conservative policies have encouraged personal growth. But far too many irresponsible people have squandered these opportunities.
Besides, school is for learning…not feeding. If we actually teach these children responsibility and the difference between right and wrong instead of worrying about their nutrition, then the chain of irresponsible behavior can be broken.