Parent's only: Is it wrong for a superintendent to tell parent not 2 bring no candy/cakes for a class party?

Question

The reason I'm asking this is because the School district where I live and my nieces and nephews and friends children go to school they and the media are telling people to bring health food for parties and no candy, store bought cakes and cookie or any kind of sweets.They want them to bring all healthy stuff like fruit and veggies and trail mix. But doesn't some of that stuff kid's are allergic to? My best friend is wanting me to ask this question. Should one or both of us e-mail the superintendent and tell him it's christmas and lighten up sir or what should we both do. I've got NO CHILDREN.

Answer 1

I'm not a parent, but I have a little brother who is in elementery still... I probably would though tell him/her to lighten up... But if some of the kids are allergic, they should know and know to stay away from what they are allergic to. Besides, I believe that candy and Christmas go together like Christmas and Presents... They should let them have candy...

Answer 2

Sounds like a good policy to me, although you are right about things like trail mix as many kids are allergic to nuts. Fruits and veggies should be okay (the school should know if a child is allergic to a certain food so they don't eat it). If you want to do candy, cake, cookies, etc. why not have a party on your own time, in your own home? Make school a place to set an example about healthy eating.

Answer 3

I wouldnt necassarily say that the Superintedent is wrong because with small children there are studies that show if the exposed to less sugary and fatty foods they will not crave/eat them as much when they are older. There are fun alternatives to Cakes and Cookies...you could do apple slices with caramel dipping sauce or yougurt covered pretzels. In my personal opinion I think the superintendent should lighten up a little - i mean cookies and christmas just go together but you also have to remember a lot of parents work and dont want to make something so they grab something premade and cheap at the grocery store (cookies, cakes, candy, etc.) and so you end up with an abundance of sugary snacks. I personally think there should be a sign up sheet for the class party and only one person should be able to be allowed to bring cookies or cake and another chips and so on. If you feel strongly in your opinion that the super is wrong go ahead and voice it, maybe there is a compromise to be made?!

Answer 4

Nowadays, it seems kids can be allergic to almost anything - wheat flour, sugar, peanuts, milk, eggs - that are ingredients in candy, store-bought cakes and cookies, and other sweets. Most kids who have allergies know they are to avoid certain foods, but when everyone is eating except for that kid, it's hard to obey mom's rule. Obesity in children is at an all-time high - another reason to avoid sugary treats.

Because of those two issues - allergies and obesity - I have to agree with the superintendent. Both fruits and veggies can be made appealing with dips and sauces.

After all, isn't the point of a school party not the gulping down of food but the time away from classes and the chance to have fun together?

Answer 5

Our school district took out all the coke machines and snack machines. Now the kids have to bring their own snack from home. Most of the kids' parents don't even buy them snacks at the grocery b/c these kids get free lunches at the school. They say they are doing it to better the diets of the students. I think they should lighten up and let them eat cake or cookies for their Christmas party. They can have it at the very end of the day like MOST teachers do anyway and that way the kids eat and get on the bus to go home. If they get hyper... they get hyper at home. ; )

Answer 6

I think a lot of people should contact the superintendent and give their views on the subject. School districts these days seem to be trying to take too many "decisions" away from parents. He does need to lighten up some. At least you still get to celebrate it as Christmas. They tried to make us call it a Holiday party, but we parent volunteers wouldn't cave in. You DO pay their salary, after all. Keep that in mind.

Answer 7

Many school districts now have such rules. It is not uncommon. And most store bought cakes, cookies, etc. have nuts in them or may have come in contact with nuts, so they too can cause problems for kids with allergies. It is much easier to tell what is in the food if it is basic food such as fruit, veggies, etc. Personally I think most children will get plenty of the cakes and cookies over the holidays and one of the jobs of a school is to teach a healthy lifestyle and to teach that it is not necessary to eat junk food to enjoy food.

Answer 8

my oldest is in kindergarten and they do that where we live too, with the exception of christmas. this is the one holiday where they can junk out. I think it's good AND bad. I understand them wanting the kids to eat healthy, but gimme a break. the thing that got me the most was after Halloween I packed 3 pieces of trick-or-treat candy in my sons lunch box. the teachers told him he was only allowed one piece! I'm his freaking mother, I think if I pack it for him he should be allowed to by God eat it. I think you and your friend should email the superintendant and voice your concerns. that's the only way things will get changed. let the kids be kids!!!
oh and one more thing...there's a child in my sons class that has a severe peanut allergy. so noone in the entire school is allowed to bring anything with peanuts or peanut butter in it to school. I'm waiting for the note to come home that says they'll all be eating rice cakes and celery.

Answer 9

I have to agree with you. It's freekin Christmas, man! I have heard of peanut allergies and the what not, so I could understand nothing with peanut butter, but no treats?!? Is he a Christmas nazi? Now is this the teachers rule for her classroom, or is this just his 'opinion' of what should be brought to the class? I'd get to the bottom of this, or else go over his head. Because it's one thing totally if this is just his opinion and he's mearly making a suggestion. But to get this into a rule, there needs to be more opinions gathered here then just his. Good for you guys, check it out....

Answer 10

They just don't want the kids to go all hyper on them when they go into their sugar fits.

I think the responsible thing for people to do is to voice their concerns to the authorities if they feel that something they feel is not right. The responsible way to do this is not to be insulting however. The superintendent is only looking out for what's best for your children.

Somehow you overlooked this didn't you?