Interesting debate reported by S-T staffer Eva-Marie Ayala at Thursday's Arlington school board meeting over whether the district should ban energy drinks like Red Bull, the hopped-up, super sugary and caffeine-filled canned beverage favored by so many young folks (I say that because now I'm 40).
The issue apparently was raised by Malcolm Turner, Arlington schools' executive director of student services, who told trustees: "We’re seeing students that are consuming multiple energy drinks in one day, two or three, and then they get sick and end up in the nursing clinics. Some of the symptoms are palpitations, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea and chest pains."
School board President Jim Ash seemed confused and said he thought the board was discussing Gatorade. Other trustees wondered how they could ban energy drinks when students bring Starbucks beverages back from off-campus lunch runs. Trustee Sheri Wade said she doesn't like students bringing any drinks back to campus because who knows what's in them and because students who bring caffeine back have to go to the bathroom more.
Hmmm. I can think of a few of my former teachers at Sam Houston High School (Go, Texans!) who could have used a little more caffeine.
- Kristin Sullivan
