Don’t Send Your Amarillo Student To School With This Item

Things sure have changed since I went to school in Canyon, and the same for my daughter at Amarillo schools. I miss the simple days of just going to school to learn. Now it seems like there are just too many rules.

I know that rules are important but things can be taken a bit too far. I remember when we were first not allowed to bring anything like cupcakes or sugar for our child's birthday. Gone are the days we could sugar them up. The holiday parties had a long list of things you couldn't bring any more.

I understand we need rules. I understand that if your child is prescribed medicine, you need to have a doctor's note so they can take it at school. I get that if your child needs an inhaler or anything of that nature a trip to the nurse's office is important.

I know these things keep our children safe. That kind of thing makes sense. What I don't understand is apparently the dangerous item I have in my pocket right now. An item that I don't leave home without is not allowed to be brought into the school without a doctor's note.

This simple item is now considered over-the-counter medicine and a trip to the nurse's office will be warranted. Even though this is an item that you can impulse buy at a checkout counter at Walgreens.

I am talking about chapstick. The little but much-loved candy cane Chap Stick that I have in my pocket is not supposed to be kept in a student's pocket these days. It needs to be in the nurse's office with a doctor's note for their usage. This goes for both Canyon and Amarillo schools.

Just think of it. The horror of realizing your kid has a stick of chapstick in their pocket and they could get in trouble for it. I get it if they have a cold sore and need something medicated but I don't understand the issue with chapstick. It's just to keep your lips with moisture.

The same thing that a simple hand lotion does for your hands. Is hand lotion subject to this little rule? I wonder. I also hope that the answer is, no, but I am not sure. Those are the two things you will always find either in my pocket or at least nearby at any given moment.

We can thank the Texas Board of Nursing for all of this as this is a state-wide issue. Which really doesn't make it any better. It just doesn't.

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