No Valentine candy in school

[rileyroosmom]

It's not choosing homeschooling because of a candy policy.....in my opinion, the schools are too involved in parenting responsibilities. Didn't we all grow up celebrating birthdays/holidays? Schools have become institutions where there is no fun at all. These are children and children need fun. The last elementary school my kids attended (we are always being redistricted, another problem for another time) the principal wouldn't allow playground equipment because children break bones climbing on the equipment! It's all just gotten insane.

It's not about the candy or the cupcake. School is for learning not partying, but somewhere things have gone wrong. I don't know if it's political or what, but school is not a fun place to be anymore

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I feel your pain, but I wanted to point out that schools don't just wake up and say they're going to do these things. It starts with the parents who are unable or unwilling to police their own children and expect the schools to do it for them. From there on it goes downhill and everyone gets policed.

.

I agree with this.

As to why it's probably because on the bus kids eat and can choke or they leave garbage around and won't pick it up and won't follow the no eating rule. So they banned candy on the bus. Which trickles down to in class because kids still won't listen, if candy comes into school, they are more likely to eat it on the bus.

Unfortunately schools have little choice because if their little snowflake doesn't follow the rules but gets hurt or killed mommy can sue because of course her little precious was not doing anything wrong at all and it's all the schools fault.

Sad it is.

 

[freckles and boo]

It's not choosing homeschooling because of a candy policy.....in my opinion, the schools are too involved in parenting responsibilities. Didn't we all grow up celebrating birthdays/holidays? Schools have become institutions where there is no fun at all. These are children and children need fun. The last elementary school my kids attended (we are always being redistricted, another problem for another time) the principal wouldn't allow playground equipment because children break bones climbing on the equipment! It's all just gotten insane.

It's not about the candy or the cupcake. School is for learning not partying, but somewhere things have gone wrong. I don't know if it's political or what, but school is not a fun place to be anymore

Schools have always been institutions. That is their function. Somehow my daughters LOVE their schools, despite the fact that they discourage candy, prohibit homemade treats, have no playground equipment, and expect respectful behavior in the classroom. They adore their teachers, in fact, and are doing very, very well academically. I think parents do a lot of grousing and whining without a lot of foundation. If schools aren't performing their FUNCTION, then complain. It isn't as if the classroom is the only place a child can have a cup cake.

 

[fhtpdw20]

Overweight kids might have more to do with eliminating recess and loading them down with so much homework that kids don't have time to run, play, ride bikes, etc.. Can't teach fun if it is not on "THE TEST".

 

[Mrs. Charming]

How are they teaching them to make good choices when they take the choice away?

Exactly!

 

[pperfectmom]

Overweight kids might have more to do with eliminating recess and loading them down with so much homework that kids don't have time to run, play, ride bikes, etc.. Can't teach fun if it is not on "THE TEST".

Agree! My first grader comes home with almost an hour's worth of homework on a regular basis. By the time she finishes it this time of year, it's almost dark outside. Then, when I ask her if they went outside for recess, she'll say "No. The teacher said it was too cold." WTH???? She says they stay inside the room and watch a video. Now THAT's real healthy. The other day was about 35 degrees and sunny and they STILL stayed inside. I was so annoyed. I will give the school system credit for not giving into all the PC BS going around and they are still allowed their parties with homemade treats. And, luckily, my DD is still allowed to take her PB & J for lunch most days.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

We encounter none of these problems with foods/candies. In fact, the teachers will toss a piece of candy to a kid that gives a correct answer in my DS10's class. The more I read about schools on the Dis, the more I appreciate the laid back attitude of our school. They are more concerned with teaching than policing us to death.

When I was in elementary school, we had a party where the kids handed out Valentines. I don't remember ANY candy being passed along with them. This year I asked if my DS10 wanted to attach a candy to his valentines and he said no!

 

[NAB]

Yes but have you seen what a kid brings home in Valentine's candy these days. Last year my dd got good bags made up and given to her with the Valentine. Which of course made her feel bad for only giving a card.

Plus this year I saw those litte bags to fill with a little box with princesses etc on them. I caved this year and got the ones with the pencils and the Jonas Brothers.

Why are all the holidays getting out of control. That been said a sucker is not going to hurt anyone.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Yes but have you seen what a kid brings home in Valentine's candy these days. Last year my dd got good bags made up and given to her with the Valentine. Which of course made her feel bad for only giving a card.

Plus this year I saw those litte bags to fill with a little box with princesses etc on them. I caved this year and got the ones with the pencils and the Jonas Brothers.

Why are all the holidays getting out of control. That been said a sucker is not going to hurt anyone.

I agree, it's as much as Halloween!

 

[Ceila]

You haven't experienced our kids' Catholic School...
At least I wish the whole school would get on board...my DD1's 7th grade class is able to bring candy with Valentines. DD2's 2nd grade class cannot. Why? There is a peanut allergy in the 2nd grade. Guess what? DD1, the 7th grader, has a peanut allergy. Go figure.

I would imagine that is because second graders are more likely to be messy and less careful with their treats, whereas 7th graders can be trusted not to get food residue all over.

 

[monsterkitty]

In the district that I teach in, this "no candy" policy would have been made by the school board, not the schools or administrators. When the school board makes a policy we must inforce the policy, even if we think it is ridiculous. There are many rules that I think over-step our bounds as educators; however, my job discription says I must follow school board policies.

If this is the case, has anyone talked to the school board members about policies such as these, or just complained about the no candy rules? Maybe the school board was doing what a small group of parents requested, thinking that was how the majority of the parents felt about candy/snacks/ etc in the classroom.

Find out who made the policy and contact that group. Ask what can be done to change the policy. The teachers, support staff, and school administrators are usually helpless to change a district policy. The change must come from the parents.

That said, I am currently eating a candy bar that was given to me by a student with a Valentine's Day card. He wrote, "Thank you for teaching me and laughing all day with us!" We obviously do not have the ridiculous "no candy" policy in my district!

 

[Rora]

Way to suck the fun out of school. I think many of these new "policies" are out of control. It's MY kid, it's MY choice to give her candy or not. Not the school system. I just don't feel it's the school's job to make kids healthy-- it's the parents. Sure, teach them about healthy choices, but don't try to take over my job!

Homeschooling is looking more appealing with every day that goes by.

Agreed. And I'm a teacher!

I'm a 3rd grade teacher. We're allowed to have 2 "parties" a year. All food must be store bought and relatively healthy. When my kids bring in sweets, I simply turn my head. Whatever. Gonna fire me for letting kids eat candy during a party that only happens twice a year? Okay.

I think these rules are getting ridiculous. I know that it's tough to have a bunch of hyper, sugar high kids but if it's only twice a year, I can handle it.

 

[Minnie_me]

I'm all for it, and I'm a teacher.

I'm not trying to parent the kids, just trying to set a good example in my classroom for them. For those of you who think that taking away candy is "sucking out the fun" as a PP said, why must fun always equal bad food? In my classroom, we have tons of fun at holiday parties without eating garbage. If parents want to feed their kids the garbage at home, let them. But in my classroom, I'll skip it.

I'm tired of our culture celebrating, commiserating, and rewarding with junk food. You all say that you grew up celebrating this way......well look at our nation's problem with obesity! Isn't time for a change??

BTW, I'm in no way a health food nut. I've struggled with my own sugar addiction and have worked very hard to make sure that my own children eat better than I do. And it's working pretty well.......my girls will usually choose an apple as a snack (over cookies or another sweet treat). We do have sweets in the house, but we have them in moderation, and not as rewards or celebrations.

 

[mhsjax]

I for one do not think that some of these insane policies are driven by parents. Our district has done a lot of the same things as the OP's and IMO it is because our district and many like it across the country feel that they can or should do a better job than parents.

The districts treat parents like idiots, they don't necessarily care what we think or have to say, they are all mighty and all knowing and we sheep are supposed to bend over and agree. I don't agree and I buck the system as often as I possibly can. I have the attitude that I am the parent and the schools work for me. (Not quite that cut and dry, but I do not view the school as a replacement for me and my job as a parent).

Oh be careful, big brother school may here you say that. I am really fortunate, our school haven't totally adopted that mentality yet, but I know a lot of them have.

 

[daemom]

Our school does this and we're told it's a state law--however my niece attends another school in our town (same ages) and they don't abide by these rules. For the "holiday" party we could provide fresh fruit and veggies a bottle of water, one Capri Sun Roarin' Water, and there were a couple of spcific 100 calorie snacks that we could give out. No candy for the treat bags. For the Valentine Party our PTO is providing snacks for the whole school--popcorn and diet hot chocolate. Parents are not to send in any food or any Valentines that have candy attached. I think a few years ago it got to be too much--some homeroom moms were putting out complete buffets--most of it unhealthy--and most of it was getting tossed out because there was just too much food for the kids to eat.

 

[mhsjax]

I'm all for it, and I'm a teacher.

I'm not trying to parent the kids, just trying to set a good example in my classroom for them. For those of you who think that taking away candy is "sucking out the fun" as a PP said, why must fun always equal bad food? In my classroom, we have tons of fun at holiday parties without eating garbage. If parents want to feed their kids the garbage at home, let them. But in my classroom, I'll skip it.

I'm tired of our culture celebrating, commiserating, and rewarding with junk food. You all say that you grew up celebrating this way......well look at our nation's problem with obesity! Isn't time for a change??

BTW, I'm in no way a health food nut. I've struggled with my own sugar addiction and have worked very hard to make sure that my own children eat better than I do. And it's working pretty well.......my girls will usually choose an apple as a snack (over cookies or another sweet treat). We do have sweets in the house, but we have them in moderation, and not as rewards or celebrations.

Um well yes it is time for a change, how about starting with the crap they serve the kids in the lunchroom, how about not giving so much homework that they don't have time to play.

OUr band sold candy all the time, the teachers loved it, they ate it with us during lecture time. We had junk food in middles school, milkshakes,frecj fries, doughnuts. NEW FLASH, none of us were even remotely chubby. Does that tell you something. It is the kids today, not us that have the problem and we were raised with parties at school, candy, soda and all sorts of other things,but we got off of our butts and played outside. So many school are cutting recess and some even regulated what can be played, which barely amounts to any activity that I have seen. So I don't think a little candy in your classroom is the problem.

 

[pigletgirl]

man, they have taken the fun out of school! everything has to be a regulated. i mean, please, 2-3 hours, 3x a year isn't a whole lot. that was some of my best memories when I was in elementary school.

booo.

 

[MM27]

My class is having a Valentine's Day party and I'm making the cupcakes. My students requested them and they've been working really hard, so I will do that for them.

NJ has a ban on items sold in the schools. My principal is fine with us handing out candy every now and then and birthday or holiday parties. It's not something I do every day and I always give the kids the choice of candy or a pencil. Believe it or not, some kids take the pencil.

 

[marcyinPA]

Um well yes it is time for a change, how about starting with the crap they serve the kids in the lunchroom, how about not giving so much homework that they don't have time to play.

OUr band sold candy all the time, the teachers loved it, they ate it with us during lecture time. We had junk food in middles school, milkshakes,frecj fries, doughnuts. NEW FLASH, none of us were even remotely chubby. Does that tell you something. It is the kids today, not us that have the problem and we were raised with parties at school, candy, soda and all sorts of other things,but we got off of our butts and played outside. So many school are cutting recess and some even regulated what can be played, which barely amounts to any activity that I have seen. So I don't think a little candy in your classroom is the problem.

I totally agree with you! I ate Oreos with my lunch every day (ok, I'll admit I was a little chubby....but my friends weren't and they ate that stuff too!), and we drank regular soda, and kool-aid made with sugar. WE PLAYED OUTSIDE! ALL DAY!! No video-games, no computer, and no cable TV! Kids were not fat in the 70's like they are today, but the junk food was still there. I really think that a bulk of the emphasis is on the wrong thing these days!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My flamesuit is on:

Really....who cares if Sallie Sue doesn't get candy on Valentine's Day (or a cupcake on her birthday, ice cream for an "A" or a pizza party because it's Friday)?

As an "ahem" older mother (and now grandmother of 3) isn't it more important that the school maintains a high level of education INCLUDING encouraging children to make good choices (and to provide healthy choices) for food? Frankly, I don't WANT to eat food prepared by people that I don't know. AND we all know that unfortunately there are a lot of folks out there who have different hygiene standards.

To that--wouldn't it be easier to ban Valentine's all together? It would make sense since getting a card with a heart on it does little to contribute to a higher education.

OP was buying a lollipop. She wasn't going all Martha Stewart for school.