As an 8th grade student attending da Vinci, I struggle to see whats objectionable in this assignment. In fact, I have this teacher and did the assignment and saw nothing wrong with it. I had a very fun time doing this project and was excited to do homework (for once) and I don't think I will forget making my Africa cookie. Assignments like this I think we need more of as a way to make kids be excited about school and want to do work. I think the author of this article and the parent who leaked it are over reacting and if you're going to criticize a teacher for simply trying to put humor into an email then that's just mean. This teacher is enthusiastic and funny and genuinely cares about her students education. I like being in her class, and I remember the day we got this assignment she said if anyone couldn't pay for materials needed for this project then she'd be happy to help. You're trying too hard to make my school look bad with the smallest irrelevant things like this.