Teacher Resigns After Giving Students Melatonin Gummies
A Humble, Texas elementary school teacher has resigned amid an investigation that found she had given some of her students melatonin gummies in September. According to reports from FOX 26 in Houston, officials from the Humble Independent School District (ISD) received information about this teacher’s actions.
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by our bodies to help us sleep. However, taking melatonin supplements can promote sleep and is considered safe for short-term use.
After a tip-off about a teacher providing melatonin gummies to elementary school students, the Humble ISD swiftly launched an investigation. They discovered that the teacher had done this without permission from parents and had not informed the school nurse or administrators.
School district officials were shocked and disappointed by the teacher’s actions, deeming them unacceptable.
The teacher, who has not been identified, resigned and hasn’t been in a classroom since late September. The incident was reported to the State Board for Educator Certification, Child Protective Services, and the police.
The principal of Pine Forest Elementary School, where the incident occurred, promptly informed parents of the students in the teacher’s class. Thankfully, all students are doing well.
A survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that almost half of U.S. parents have given melatonin to children under 13, and nearly one-third have given it to teens over 13 to help them sleep. However, a 2022 health advisory from the AASM cautioned against using melatonin for children because it’s not regulated by the FDA.
The increased use of melatonin has resulted in a rise in reports of melatonin-related issues among children, including calls to poison control centers and emergency room visits.
It’s essential to be cautious when giving supplements to children, and consulting a healthcare professional is advisable.