My youngest daughter's 7th birthday is today and besides the fact that I'm astounded at the fact that my "baby" is almost a second-grader, it got me thinking about our school's treat policy.I'm happy to say that our current elementary school does not allow treats of any kind for birthdays or holidays. Non-edible or edible, they're not allowed, period.
This was a hard-won policy. According to other mothers I know whose kids have food allergies, there was a lot of bickering about treats not being allowed. The kids with food allergies were blamed, apparently. (We were not yet part of this school when the policy first went into place.)
However, food allergies were only part of the reason for banning treats. Many other factors went into the decision and I heartily applaud our current school principal for standing up to the cupcakers on this one.
There are so many reasons why a school may choose to avoid exchanging treats and here are some of them:
1) Too many sweets equals overweight kids with bad teeth. The school is trying to teach good health practices.
2) Dietary restrictions are becoming more common, not just due to food allergies but due to juvenile diabetes.
3) Sugar high = classroom mayhem.
4) Respect for socioeconomic differences - not everyone can afford a treat for the class.
5) The kids already have their birthdays celebrated at school in many ways. They get an announcement over the loudspeaker, they get a free book from the PTO and the whole class sings happy birthday. Enough already!
6) Passing out treats eats up valuable class learning time.
7) We're at a public school and not everyone is celebrating the same holidays.
Besides being thrilled that my allergic daughter is not constantly being given possibly unsafe treats during the school day, I've gotta just say: it takes the pressure off when you aren't expected to whip up a little personalized goody bag for the whole class. I love my kids as much as the next person but when I'm already planning extracurricular celebrations for them, I really don't want to be bested by somebody with a label-maker and a flair for crafts.
Have you guys ever seen that accusing look from your kids when they come home with a really spectacular goody bag? I'll bake from scratch for my kids all day long but I'm just not a creative goody bag kinda gal.
Now, many of you out there still deal with classroom treats all year (and our family did as well, at a previous school) and there are ways to combat it, many of which I've discussed on this blog. Having a well-stocked supply of safe treats and suggesting non-edibles are two good strategies but treats-free is still a good solution.
What is your school policy and how do you deal with it? I know this is a hot-button issue, so let us know what's going on where you live.
6 comments:
We've lived in two districts in California, and the policies in both have been no home-baked treats. They're even stricter at the preschool we're in now: No home-baked treats, nothing with chocolate and no candy.
In our previous district, parents went a little crazy. I saw them tote in muffins as big as a toddler's head and 12-ounce bottles of juice for even the older grades, which started out the day with the celebration because they didn't have a set daily snack time like they do in the lower grades. Here, it's a little saner: One cupcake or cookie, for the end of the day.
In my mind, reasons 4-7 on your list are the most valid reasons for a complete ban. The idea of a junky treat per se in schools doesn't bother me that much because I've preached moderation at my guys from the beginning and a birthday cupcake isn't going to undo that. The school lunch menu on any given day could, but that's another matter!
HOWEVER, there are 23 kids in my 6-year-old's class. Yeah, we're lucky this year. Second-grade classes have 30+ kids. Granted, some have summer birthdays, but there still are at least two "celebrations" a month. We'd depleted my son's 12-pack stash of safe cookies by December. That's a lot of lost time in an era when itty bitty kids already spend two weeks a semester on testing. I'd rather a parent sponsor a science project than bring a treat. A balloon, baking soda, vinegar and a recycled plastic bottle are dang cheap.
Our school's policy is non-food treats, which works well for us as a PA family. The goodies are handed out during regular snack time. The only two exceptions are the winter party and the end-of-year party. In my sons' class, there are no food allergies, so treats aren't a big problem. In my daughter's class, there are several kids with food allergies (covering 5 of the Big 8), so the planning starts well in advance to be sure we have food that's safe for everyone.
We live in a district that allows any kind of treat or goodie bag as long as it is not homemade and it is in its original packaging. Each classroom monitors the kids who have food allergies. So parents get a note at the beginning of the year that tells what allergies are in their child's classroom.
My youngest child has a severe Peanut/tree nut allergy. Luckily his is ingestion only, but it is still scary. I send him to preschool with his own "snack box" full of things he can eat. I will continue to do so for as long as necessary.
My oldest daughter had ADHD and a red food dye sensitivity. Since that isn't classified as an allergy there are no restraints for her in class. Her teacher uses candy as a reward almost every day. And oddly enough, the counselor she sees at school also uses food treats. It makes Katie's days less manageable and I can always tell when she comes home when she has had candy.
I have been thinking about sending a letter to the school board for some time. I hate the idea that school is using food as a reward. At home, we rarely eat sweets. When my kids gat a hold of candy it is a big deal. That should be for home, not school!
And if the school is handing out candy, shouldn't that be reported as part of the food service nutritional program all schools have to submit?
I live in a district that does not allow food treats, and they don't really even do holiday parties. Halloween consisted of a costume parade, and Christmas was a movie (with popcorn-- the teacher checked with me in advance). Valentine's Day included exchanging cards, but no party or food.
No "room mothers", no cupcakes, no mess, no stress. I love it!!
Our school has a peanut free policy (and according to school administrators does include all nut as well). Our cafeteria does not serve any type of nut products. I have instructions that the teacher give me atleast one day notice when there is a birthday, and I send in a safe cupcake. Otherwise I leave a safe treat bag in the class.
Teachers have been very accomodating.
My daughter is in first grade with peanut and treenut allergy.
My children attend public school. Food treats are "discouraged". My PA son is in a peanut-free classroom at our request. Food and other treats do come in but people seem to understand they can't send in Reese's or other peanut-containing items. My son remembers his big reaction still so he is very comfortable with sticking to his own food from home. (Thank goodness!)
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