I've noticed a plethora of articles recently about how school districts around the country are banning cupcakes from school cafeterias and parties. This change is in response to new federal guidelines that aim to make school food healthier in light of the fact that childhood obesity is a growing problem.This article in the New York Times details how some schools have nixed their deep fryers in favor of baking food and that soda and other sweets with empty calories have been banned. One school now even serves whole wheat chocolate chip cookies. “Surprisingly, the kids have kind of embraced them,” said Laura Jacobo, director of food services at Woodlake Union schools in California.
Hey, I think most parents would embrace a healthier approach to the school cafeteria!
But the article goes on to debate the real question and that is "some parents say that by cracking down on cupcakes in the classroom to celebrate birthdays and (other holidays), school officials have crossed a line."
So I'm looking for you all to weigh in:
1. Does your school have a no cupcake policy?
2. Would you be in favor of one? Why or Why Not.
C'mon lurkers...give it up for the cupcake.
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10 comments:
My son's school allows a "special treat" for a birthday snack, but they discourage sweets for daily classroom snack time. They also ask that we limit sweets in packed lunches, but they don't give any specifics. On M,W,F when they have hot lunches, they do supply a small dessert item. I don't think they sell any soda or candy.
I don't think our school has a policy. They too encourage healthy snacks and lunches but I don't think the "hot" lunches are that healthy.
I would be in favor of it. We are eating healthy at home. We allow for special occasions but it is nice to have someone outside of our home telling the kids the same thing that we are teaching at home.
If EJ were in a school institution, I would certainly embrace and encourage healthier foods! Hands down!!!
We serve a snack to our ministry kids each week. I have had to literally teach our team about what a healthy snack includes and doesn't include. One person seriously asked if oatmeal pies were healthy!!! Oh my....
This just came up in the first Home and School meeting of the year. Yes, our district has a policy, but our principal has assured us that birthday treats are still welcome. That they won't police the "special" treats. But they did ask us to "read over" the list of approved snacks, and I was absolutely irritated! I found no fresh fruit, etc. on the approved list. But fruit roll-ups made an appearance? Gimme a break.
To me, it's just one more instance of the government trying to legislate common sense and put reins on our ability to parent our own kids. No one can give you that, common sense is not their domain and how we parent our kids in these MINISCULE issues is not their business.
I will still send cupcakes or homemade cookies for birthday celebrations. And I might even put on extra frosting this year :)
I love cupcakes. The thought of a world without them makes me so very sad. I'm gonna go make some now...
I'm sort of riding the fence here...I don't think our school has a "no cupcake policy", but they are pretty health conscious. School lunches very rarely have cookies or cake, it is a main entree, fruit and vegetable. Once a week the elementary kids can buy ice cream. Middle school has more unhealthy options, such as ice cream or milkshakes being offered everyday (which #1 says are the BEST EVER, she's only allowed 1 per week). And, our school really loves making the kids exercise...they are not allowed to play at recess until they have completed their "laps".
But, as I agree with Tracy, that is my parental right to restrict or allow food. The occasional birthday treat should be okay, the key word being "occasional". I guess if I were the type of parent that allowed my child no sugar at all, I would send a note to school that says my kids can't have anything junky, but that seems like cruel and unusual punishment unless they have a life threatening food allergy. I have known some kids with parents like that and guess what they STUFF themselves full of when Mommy isn't around. Oh, yeah, you know what I'm talking about.....
My DS is not is school yet, but I hope they won't have that policy. If you eat a balanced healthy diet otherwise, a cupcake every once in a while for a treat is not going to make you obese!
No cupcake policy at our school. They attempt to have good snacks - but they aren't what I would call healthy. They simply aren't sugar-filled. Jeter packs because then I know that he is getting a good meal - and it saves $$.
I would be an advocate to get the soda and snack machines out of the high school. Thankfully they aren't in the elementary school. Unfortunately I think the revenue it provides is what keeps them there. And there you have it - what typically drives the decisions made by the powers that be...money.
last year was the first year our schools banned treats....they also said lunches were going to be healthy. but the first day they serve corn dogs...i don't get it!!
they also then switched a little bit to if you bring in treat for a birthday they have to be store bought and packaged. then the kids have to take them home to eat there.
each class room gets 4 "free food" parties a year where we can bring in unhealthy options. after seeing how much was brought in and eaten at those i'd much rather do the cupcakes from time to time for birthdays. i mean mapboy would have 2 cupcakes, cookies, candy, etc...all at one sitting. and most of the kids ate it all!!!
i think the whole things is really just a scam. it is a way of keeping the kids from celebrating birthdays so they get the designated work load done to fulfill state requirements!!
umm..maybe i should have never gotten started...maybe i'll just have to post on this subject!!
Our school district--CV--has cracked down on unhealthy snacks the last couple of years. No ice cream in elementary school (it used to be offered twice a week) and dessert once or twice a month on the school lunch menu. School parties are only allowed to have two items per class where sugar is the number one ingredient and only juice or water are permitted for drinks. We received a letter at the beginning of this year stating that cupcakes sent in to celebrate birthdays would be sent home. Treats are allowed for birthdays, but they must be less than 100 calories, and they suggested that sugar not be the primary ingredient (although they said they would allow small cookies).
I hate it! I mean, I'm glad they are concerned about our children's health, and I think teaching the four basic food groups in 4th grade woke Abby up to the whole "healthy" idea. And I love that all elementary kids have two recesses, and kids in first and second grade had gym twice a week. But I can't believe a cupcake once a month is going to effect a child's health, even with gobs of icing. An apple just isn't a birthday treat. It feels like a way to shove parents even further out of the classroom. I haven't met a parent yet who actually likes it, although I'm sure there must be some out there.
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