Vegan teacher pushes for child endangerment charges because schools serve milk

[FrayAdjacent911]

Vegan teacher to skip school
Calls for district to alter lunch menu

An art teacher removed from the classroom for encouraging pupils not to eat meat vowed Monday not to return to Fox River Grove Middle School until it eliminates milk and all other animal products from the lunch menu.

Dave Warwak, 44, also said he plans to ask the McHenry County state's attorney to file child-endangerment charges against the school district because the school continues to promote milk and other animal products as part of a healthy diet.

Warwak said he was not fired or suspended during a meeting Monday with school officials and representatives of Fox River Grove District 3. But he said he is not returning to class.

Of particular concern to him, he said, are posters in the school cafeteria that promote milk. While vegetarians stay away from meat, vegans such as Warwak shun all animal products.

"I can't really see working there as long as those milk posters are up and they keep feeding poison to the kids," said Warwak of Williams Bay, Wis., who said he began his vegan lifestyle in January.

District 3 Supt. Jacqueline Krause did not return a telephone call Monday seeking comment about her meeting with Warwak. Principal Tim Mahaffy has repeatedly declined to comment.

McHenry County State's Atty. Lou Bianchi was cautious when asked about criminal charges against the school district. Warwak has not yet spoken with Bianchi's office.

"We will listen to just about anybody," Bianchi said. "It sounds pretty unusual. I'd look at the endangerment statute again. But you have to prove intent. They're just trying to feed kids."

Warwak has been a teacher at the McHenry County school for eight years. The district, he said, should be training its teachers about "humane education."

Warwak said he asked district officials during the 20-minute meeting Monday whether they would consider making the school menu offerings all vegan but received no reply. They wouldn't answer his questions, he said, so he didn't feel obligated to answer theirs.

They called that insubordination, according to Warwak, who said a lawyer was with him during the meeting.

"I don't like them making this about me when it's really about them," he said.

Warwak said he was asked to leave school last week because he refused to stop discussing animal-cruelty issues with students. He gave his 8th-grade pupils a book, "The Food Revolution," by John Robbins, subtitled, "How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and the World."

His efforts have gained praise from animal rights groups.

Warwak described himself as a former fishing guide who sold his boat and tackle.

"Now I'm spreading the word and trying to help people," he said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-veganteacher_both1sep11,1,5478962.story?track=rss\

[Dantilla]

He vowed not to return? Good!

[FrayAdjacent911]

Definitely. Good riddance!

People like that have taken things like veganism to a religious-like level. I bet that guy would ***** to NO END if some kid came in and handed out bibles and Christian information pamphlets.

[LakeCleElum]

My wife cooks me red meat........I want her arrested for attempted murder!!!!!!!!!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Always check with Chris first before posting stories about kooky liberals.

Pushing Your Beliefs on Others

[mattdavis11]

I'd have to say that you should be a Vegan longer than 7 months to be allowed throw that kind of BS around. What a joke.

[FrayAdjacent911]

I don't care how long you've been vegan, you can throw your BS around... and then lose your job for 'protesting' the 'poisoning' of children with MILK. (what comes out of a mommy's titties? Oh yeah, MILK)

He's got the right to be a nutbag. And soon, the school will have the right to fire his a$$!

[Flatbutt1]

I could have had my ex arrested for assault every time she cooked.

lose this hippie freak.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Always check with Chris first before posting stories about kooky liberals.

Pushing Your Beliefs on Others

Am I that predictable?

[Tobra]

Nothing wrong with a vegan dietper se. Unless you are a growing child of course, then you would almost certainly have an inadequate intake of protein and essential amino acids.

[96740]

Try this one.

Elementary school in Simi Valley, CA hires self labeled and documented "Extreme Gay Activist" as principal!

I don't care if he's gay, but he better keep it to himself. Somehow I don't think he will.

Get them while there young - PLAN B

Must read: Tammy Bruce - "The death of right and wrong"

[Dennis Kalma]

Does anyone else sometimes wonder if the world is going to hell?

I mean, a kook like this one ought to be summarily turfed and banned from teaching forever. If he wants to be a vegan, so be it, but to then demand all follow his "lead" and get a lawyer in to help is just foolish, stupid, idiotic and bizarre.

Dennis