In an effort to make food in schools healthier, some school districts have actually banned cupcakes at school birthday celebrations. Do you agree with this cupcake crackdown? What would you suggest parents bring to birthday celebrations instead?
The last time I checked schools were meant to educate and not serve as an event venue for sally's 8th bday. I personally think it's good to ban them based on social pressures irregardless of the health issues. I think of the kids who's mom or dad either does not have the time to bake or the money to buy the cakes will ultimately feel bad. And what about the kids who don't get a bday during the school term?
I say leave the cakes for the bday party at your own home, and if they want to do a bday deal at school, then perhaps get the teacher to decorate the students chair that day or better yet have a monthly bday celebration to cut down on the amount of times kids get cakes and to stop some feeling left out.
I do allow cupcakes but make a FIRM request at the beginning of the year to 'go easy' on the icing. They (the parents in my room) may bring in something to mark their child's bday. I did have a parent a couple of years ago bring in 'party bags'.....the works!!!
You want to have a party for your kid- do it at home. Not in school!
Most young kids just lick off the icing, and throw out the cupcake anyway! You're better off making some fruit salad to share out. Something healthy :-)
Having said that I have a 3yr old with a bday tomorrow- and Mom (as far as I know) is bringing in 'simple' cupcakes in the morning, but I have a sneaking suspicion it will be more- and another 5yr old bday next week. His Mom asked if she could do pizza for lunch. It's something once in a while, and a little different. I said yes.
Ultimately I wouldn't have a problem with a ban on them!
The last time I checked schools were meant to educate and not serve as an event venue for sally's 8th bday.
Oh how right you are- but you'd be amazed how many parents think it's ok that they bring in hats, balloons, gift bags, et al........ amazes me to no end. So frustrating.
I'm a teacher, not a party planner!
(ok....I have to stop- this is a topic I could go on and on about...)
Hey Cinidi, not sure if this is an iVillage question, or just one from you, but I 'borrowed' it for a discussion over on the Teaching & Tutoring board. Hope you don't mind ;-)
Well Rebecca, I think the best option is to make something together to bring in as a treat. Something that works for our younger ones are cookies. We've had all sorts come in- the thing to remember is that you don't have to go overboard spending a fortune on cupcakes with all the tassels (toppers like clown heads, sprinkles, icing)- nice and simple works, for both the kids and the teachers ;-)
The last time I checked schools were meant to educate and not serve as an event venue for sally's 8th bday
However, I think that not celebrating at all might be difficult. I love the idea of a monthly celebration for anyone with birthdays that month. It would have to be communicated to parents ahead of time and you would have to be firm on not allowing extra snacks.
Reporting in on my morning with chocolate cupcakes, and 22 children: NOISEY!!!! LOL- we all needed our playtime after class this morning :-)
*Mom didn't go overboard and just brought the cupcakes and some apple juice. We had veggies out too, which the children had to have some of before the 'good stuff'- as they put it!
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The last time I checked schools were meant to educate and not serve as an event venue for sally's 8th bday. I personally think it's good to ban them based on social pressures irregardless of the health issues. I think of the kids who's mom or dad either does not have the time to bake or the money to buy the cakes will ultimately feel bad. And what about the kids who don't get a bday during the school term?
I say leave the cakes for the bday party at your own home, and if they want to do a bday deal at school, then perhaps get the teacher to decorate the students chair that day or better yet have a monthly bday celebration to cut down on the amount of times kids get cakes and to stop some feeling left out.
Being a teacher, I have to add my 2cents~
I do allow cupcakes but make a FIRM request at the beginning of the year to 'go easy' on the icing. They (the parents in my room) may bring in something to mark their child's bday. I did have a parent a couple of years ago bring in 'party bags'.....the works!!!
You want to have a party for your kid- do it at home. Not in school!
Most young kids just lick off the icing, and throw out the cupcake anyway! You're better off making some fruit salad to share out. Something healthy :-)
Having said that I have a 3yr old with a bday tomorrow- and Mom (as far as I know) is bringing in 'simple' cupcakes in the morning, but I have a sneaking suspicion it will be more- and another 5yr old bday next week. His Mom asked if she could do pizza for lunch. It's something once in a while, and a little different. I said yes.
Ultimately I wouldn't have a problem with a ban on them!
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Oh how right you are- but you'd be amazed how many parents think it's ok that they bring in hats, balloons, gift bags, et al........ amazes me to no end. So frustrating.
I'm a teacher, not a party planner!
(ok....I have to stop- this is a topic I could go on and on about...)
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Rebecca, wonderful wife and mom to the Fabulous Four! &n
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I agree what you said:
The last time I checked schools were meant to educate and not serve as an event venue for sally's 8th bday
However, I think that not celebrating at all might be difficult. I love the idea of a monthly celebration for anyone with birthdays that month. It would have to be communicated to parents ahead of time and you would have to be firm on not allowing extra snacks.
Reporting in on my morning with chocolate cupcakes, and 22 children: NOISEY!!!! LOL- we all needed our playtime after class this morning :-)
*Mom didn't go overboard and just brought the cupcakes and some apple juice. We had veggies out too, which the children had to have some of before the 'good stuff'- as they put it!
_____________________________________________________
![]()
Rebecca, wonderful wife and mom to the Fabulous Four! &n
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