Snapple rule eats at students

 

 

 

BY KATHLEEN LUCADAMO

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

 

It's Snapple or nothing for thousands of thirsty students who attend Brooklyn high schools where a new policy bans kids from carrying outside beverages into school.

"It's wrong," said Shabana Mohumad, a freshman at Clara Barton High School who saw her sealed water bottle confiscated last week. "It was insulting."

 

Barton students said they are being bullied into drinking Snapple - the only soft drink available in city schools - but education bosses insist that was not their intention.

 

"It didn't even cross my mind," said Gloria Buckery, superintendent for Region 6 in Brooklyn.

 

The policy was meant to reduce litter in hallways and get students through metal detectors faster, said Buckery. Metal cans set off scanners, and safety agents must inspect bottles to make sure they are not opened.

 

Still, students said they feel like prisoners.

 

"I'd like a little variety," said Barton sophomore Deshanti Woodburn. "What happens if you don't drink Snapple?"

 

In exchange for the right to sell beverages in schools, Snapple has returned $4.1 million in profits to the Education Department - paying for an expansion of middle- and high-school sports. The city is expected to reap another $7 million this year.

 

"We feel like we are smuggling drugs," said Danielle Williams, a Barton freshman who saw a junior try to sneak in a Dr Pepper. "We can get drinks at the grocery store cheaper."

 

Buckery handed down the edict last week, but didn't give schools a deadline to enforce it, she said. After getting a flurry of complaints, she plans to revisit the policy in January, she said. "Our only goal is making sure children are in the best learning environment possible," she said.

 

Originally published on December 24, 2004

I personally like Snapple....and my school sells Snapple, but we are banned from having PepsiCo products on campus.

 

Coca-Cola, Fruitopia, Minute Maid, and Snapple are the only products sold along with the Little Debbie. Not many complain anymore because the Galley has those nice Curly Fries with cheese and the Nachos now.

Banning a certain type of soda at a school is the gayest thing ever.

And through all of this, I still get to eat whatever I want within the area of my school.

They need to allow water as well. What happens if a kid is diabetic and cannot drink the sugar filled drink.

Banning a certain type of soda at a school is the gayest thing ever.

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and apparently very profitable

Our school's scoreboards, uniforms, and other things are covered by the school's Coca-Cola deal.