Food Celebrations at School
Food Celebrations at School
Dear Parents and Guardians:
In an effort to best meet the needs of all students, our district recently revised our policy related to food in classrooms. We have students in each of our schools with diagnosed life-threatening food allergies and others with food sensitivities. The changes made to our policy are intended to better care for our students and are the result of a recommendation from our district Wellness Committee. The Wellness Committee is comprised of school administrators, district employees, community members, and parents. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
We will no longer serve food on individual student birthdays. Individual teachers will create their own classroom birthday recognition practices, which often include learning components on the student's special day. These events may have different themes and purposes at each grade level, and may take the form of a combined monthly birthday celebration. In all cases, families will have prior notice of the events, including information about what types of food will be available, so that parents may plan alternative food options for their child if needed.
Food practices in individual classrooms will be mindful of life-threatening allergies, food sensitivities, health, and the potential for disruption, and will be communicated by individual classroom teachers. There are many occasions when we wish to recognize accomplishments of students and we will continue to explore and implement strategies unrelated to food. We hope to create a safer, healthier environment, and minimize loss of instructional time throughout the school year. In order to move forward, we need your help.
A list of approved snacks will be available in the school office and on our website. If you are providing food for an event, we ask that the food items are taken directly to the main office at least one week prior to the event and then will be checked for proper adherence to the food policy. Any food item that does not adhere to the policy cannot be served and will be sent home with the students or parent. Please do not bring food to school unless pre-arranged with the school and/or classroom teacher. Instead of bringing food, please consider bringing stickers, pencils, erasers, etc. for birthday celebrations.
For further guidance see Pullman School District Administrative Procedure 6700P.
Thank you for your help and consideration in this matter. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Pam Brantner, Principal