Edmonds School District bans classroom birthday treats
Jun 24, 2014, 10:41 AM | Updated: 4:44 pm
The district's wellness committee has banned sugary treats from birthday celebrations in order to better promote healthy eating. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
Kids can kiss the birthday cupcakes goodbye in the Edmonds School District. Sweet treats are now banned in the classroom.
The district’s wellness committee, created after the new federal wellness policy was adopted, banned sugary treats from birthday celebrations in order to better promote healthy eating.
“This is so ridiculous. Why can’t we have fun anymore? Why is fun being outlawed?”
Read: Dori’s take
The policy requires schools to monitor the nutritional standards for food brought into schools for sales or classroom parties. The federal standards don’t apply to food given away, but Edmonds decided to push it a step further.
District spokeswoman DJ Jakala admits the move is also for the staff’s sanity.
“We did have staff who came to us and said, how can you help us get the sugar out of our classrooms,” said Jakala. “It changes the whole dynamics of the day for some kids when they upload on cupcakes and other sweet treats that are brought in.”
The district says it’s also about economics, since not every family can afford a classroom of treats for a celebration.
Instead of treats, kids will get gift pencils or extra recess.
Jakala said the committee is also ending the practice of preventing students from going to recess as a form of punishment.
