The Derry Township School District in Dauphin County is changing its food policy. Parents can still send food for classroom parties, but the district is asking people not to send cupcakes or other snacks to school with students for their birthdays and other special recognitions.
"We're trying to encourage non-food rewards for students. So that applies to birthday parties, successes they may have in the classroom," said Dan Tredinnick, Director of School & Community Information with Derry Township School District. "We don't think that snacks are a bad thing. We think that snacks have a place in everybody's diet, but food served in schools brings with a whole host of challenges. I think that there's other ways that we can collaboratively make kids feel special, and recognize their accomplishments, that don't necessarily have to involve food."
Although a policy has been in place since 2008 the district is now focusing on food for a number of reasons. "There is a whole host of problems that come with bringing food into the classroom; nutrition is part of it, so are things like allergies," said Tredinnick. He said cutting down on classroom distraction is also part of the change. "When you have 25 students in an elementary school classroom, if everybody is bringing something in, that's a lot of time away from tasks."
The District sent home a letter asking parents to instead consider sending items like pencils, pens, and stickers.
"We are not banning snacks, but we are steering folks who prefer to provide snacks, to do so as part of the four seasonal classroom parties each elementary room schedules," said Tredinnick. "There's going to be no cupcake cops or anything like that. This is a collaboration with our community."
End of the cupcake generation
Many of you can remember as a kid the excitement of taking cupcakes or other treats to school for your birthday. "We brought in donut holes. That was a big deal, going through Dunkin Donuts," said parent Kelsey Fox. She said she doesn't agree with the change, but she understands why it was made. "While I would like to bring in baked goods and homemade things, I also understand that it's better to be safe," said Fox.
"I think it's ridiculous that kids can't bring in cupcakes and things like that. It's their birthday; they're going to do it at home, so why not be able to share it with all of the other kids at school," said parent Sarah Smith.
Tredinnick said there have been some complaints. "Anytime there is a change, there is a period of getting used to the new norm, and that's where we are right now. Snacks have certainly become the norm, so it's going to take some time, but we think that because we all have the best interest of students in mind, that it's something that will soon be the new norm," said Tredinnick.
Two upcoming meetings will give parents an opportunity to discuss ways to celebrate students:
- The next PTO meeting is October 9
- The next Elementary Building Advisory Team meeting (administration and parent representatives) is October 22