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[cornishmuppet]

Today I noticed that for the fourth day in a row (fourth day of noticing, can`t remember before that) a girl in my lunch class didn`t eat more than a couple of grains of rice, but rather slyly gave all her food away to her mates, including her milk. The remaining rice got put away into a bento box, possibly to be disposed of later.

Now, as other ALTs probably know, you certainly can`t get fat on the meagre rations that you get at lunchtimes, and it just seemed a little odd to me when every other kid scrapes their plates so clean you can see your reflection in them. I`m wondering whether the girl might have some kind of eating disorder. She looks totally healthy and happy (skinny, but aren`t they all) but the way she just picks at her food day after day makes me want to say something about it.

Who would you speak to? Secretary, school nurse, or one of the English teachers? The homeroom teacher doesn`t speak a word of English and I`m a little wary of approaching the student herself. She`s Junior High, 3rd year.

[luckyloser700]

I'd casually mention it to a teacher who was somewhat trustworthy, but I wouldn't push it. Most Japanese teachers tend to bond with their students. It's seen as important to do so. Some seem to have the babysitter mentality, but most of them don't. If you push the issue, you might offend someone the way you can offend a parent by telling him or her how to raise a child. Usually when that happens, the results aren't good.

Of couse, if you're absolutely sure this girl is suffering, you've got to do what you think is best. Just an opinion.

[cornishmuppet]

Hey cheers, sounds like a good idea. I know what you mean about the bonding thing, they all seem pretty close to the kids so I`d be surprised if there was a genuine problem and no one had noticed. The home room teacher was actually sitting on the girls table yesterday.

I did mention it to one teacher who I get on well with, and she said she`d speak to the home room teacher, but like you suggest, I`m not going to push it. I just remember my school days and my sister being buliemic, causing her to faint in class all the time. It wasn`t nice and I wouldn`t like anyone else to have the same problem.

[luckyloser700]