OT - Vent - Teacher's Version of School Wellness Policy

[Tiger926]

Those are isolated incidents - meaning not all kids fall under those restrictions, so that is understandable.

I just feel that snacking has gotten completely out of hand. A PP above said something about the fact that the level of activity these days has decreased and I'm in complete agreement. Driving through neighborhoods looking at houses the past month or so, there are NO kids outside. It's truly sad. When I think back to being my DD9's age (20 years ago, not that long ago) we were outside ALL THE TIME. Kid's today are not. It's just sad. And unfortunately my poor daughter loves to play outside but like I said, there are no kids outside in our neighborhood.

Here is a pretty interesting article I found about the overabundance of snacks today.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/dining/20gusti.html

Point taken. Which is the point of this whole discussion - snacks for us, are healthy snacks. My kids have never had a fruit roll up, so it's fine for us, but for many others, it's junk food, which is why schools have wellness snack polices now. So, in that respect, you are right. Kids don't need to be eating more fruit roll ups or Koolaid Jammers. If they had healthy snacks though, then the concept is a good one. We have also found though that if all kids share snack times, it doesn't cause kids to feel different about it either - if only a few kids pulled out snacks and drinks, then they might get teased or be asked why they are eating? This way, all kids share in snacks, so those kids who need them for medical reasons are all part of the same group.

For us, it also has to do with lunch starts as well. My DD's new school has a delayed lunch this year - kids are going outside to play first, and then eat. This will be a disaster for my daughter because of her low blood sugar, plus, it's going to be difficult for those kids who have only had sugar cereals and pop tarts for breakfast, so they are having snack time.

It's a new schedule, so we'll see how it goes. Happy new school year to all!

Tiger

 

[pixiewings71]

My DD10 had to take only healthy snacks last year for snacks. That wasn't really a problem for us because she likes healthy snacks and the teacher gave a lot of leeway and allowed us to interpret that guideline. however, if a child took in a lot of junky foods (ie chips) she would speak with the parents and let them know that their child was only bringing that item, if my DD wanted to take in a bag of chips it was OK tho because my child didn't take them daily. So really the only time it would be an "issue" was when the kids were bringing all "bad" snacks, like cookies, candies & chips every day. I never sent cookies etc but DD did take chips or crackers (cheez it's and goldfish) a few times and her teacher was fine with it.

I would speak with the teacher and let her know what your snack plans are, if she's got issues she will address them with you then. FTR tho, what you're planning to send is similar to what I sent and DD's teacher had no problems with that at all.

 

[labdogs42]

I think the teacher should have defined healthy snacks ie. I encourage healthy snacks such as fruits, muffins, cereals, yogurts, etc.

My DS is in kindergarten and I have to send a snack daily. The memo said "a low sugar snack". Hmmm...technically, that means no fruit, right? Because fruit is full of sugar (yes, healthy, natural sugar, but technically sugar <I have a food science degree>). Yes, this is a technicality,. but these things make me crazy. I really wish they would have given examples like the post I quoted. That would have helped me. I'm beside myself trying to decide if a chocolate chip Clif bar, which I consider healthy, would be OK or not. I think I'lls tick with pretzel goldfish for the first day, but I'd love to send the Clif bars since they have protien and fiber and he'll eat those. I wish he liked string cheese, because I think that would be a great option.

 

[okeydokey]

I'd attach a little note saying that you were declining signing the contract because most likely your child will eat a cookie or a muffin in school at some time and then leave it at that.

 

[luvmy3]

I think you're likely overreacting, honestly. Our school "suggests" fruit & vegetables for snacks too, but they don't call parents out if they send cheese & crackers or string cheese or fruit leather or flavored yogurt or anything else at least somewhat healthy/not pure junk food. The policy is just there to send a message to those parents who would send cookies or candy or chips for snack.

Then that should be addressed to the individual parents who do send their kid in with that stuff everyday. To have a "contract" drawn up for the parents to sign, that states that the parent will send in only healthy snacks and lunches is over the top, and far from "suggesting" it. It then becomes a requirement not a request.

 

[Shleedogg]

I went through something similar when my son was in first grade. For every healthy snack he brought in, he got a sticker. After so many stickers there was a prize. I resented this. IMO - the teacher is there to teach, not monitor food. I understand there is an obesity problem in this country, my child is not one of them. I believe if we make "junky snacks" off limits, this only increases the desire to want it more and thereby over eating when given the opportunity. Finally, when I cook meals, my child eats healthy, if I want to give him some chips for a snack, my choice.

My son is now 17 yrs old, 6' 1", 185 pounds - and healthy! Those chips for snack didn't harm him. I have 2 other kids and through the years I've heard of plenty of wellness policies - I've ignored them all and send in what I want to. (In fairness, I don't send candy, juice or other sugary treats.) I have always sent chips, pretzels, goldfish, chex mix, cookies, cheez its. That type of snack is not going to kill them, IMO

OMG, I find this to be so unbelievably true. My mom did this when I was younger. There was never any junk food. I always had it at my dad's house on the weekends, or at my grandmother's house, so I was aware of it's existence and how delicious it was. I'm still fighting this addiction now and the need to binge eat junk food the moment I get it.

To OP, I would find it overbearing as well and wouldn't sign it. I'm a little on the snarky side so I'd probably send in a note like one of the PPs suggested, that I would abide by the school policy.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

Looking at my 3rd graders teacher letter right now, it says please send you child to school with a nutritious snack. Candy and unhealthy snacks will NOT be allowed.

This is similar the the letters we get every year. The teacher send them home, not the school.

I agree that everyones idea of nutritious is not the same. I think we are fine if we stay away from candy and pop types of things.

Our school lunches are staggered so some kids don't start lunch until almost 2:00 PM, and some start as early as 10:40 AM. So the kids get a snack in the morning or afternoon depending on when lunch is.

Snacking is not out of hand in my house. My kids play outside most days too. We don't have a lot of kids playing outside because we live in a rural area, but they still go out to play. They don't need neighborhood kids to play with them.

 

[kirstenb1]

I encountered something like this with our older daughter when she was in kindergarten. Her teacher sent a note home requesting us to send in "healthy snacks". Dd is a very picky eater, so healthy can unfortunately be a challenge.

I asked the teacher for some clarification. It turned out she really wanted snacks that weren't overly messy. I.e, something that wouldn't stain their hands, like Cheetos. I can't say I blame her.

 

[mjkacmom]

It wouldn't be my battle to fight. I'd sign the "contract," and send in whatever I wanted (and resist the urge to send in a milkyway and pepsi ). Sometimes my snacks are heathier than at other times (a cookie being the worst I send in - and always just water).

 

[2disneyboys]

I have no complaints with Healthy Snacks and also that fact that there really is too much snacking going on in the world... But I also feel individuals are responsbile for thier own choices.. (i.e... I'm overweight because I CHOSE to eat certain foods etc) anyway, my concern would be the CONTACT portion of this. I stress to both my kids RULES RULES RULES... rules are there for a reason and you don't just break them just because you dont' agree with them or don't like them. So essentially, I would be concerned that if I signed the contract then I would be sending the wrong message to my son that 'yes, you should always follow rules (contracts) but mommy's had a bad week and hasn't gotten to my local farmers market lately to get some fresh veggies and fruit, so I'm sending you a cupcake and it's ok this once" Because the truth of the matter is no kids lunch box is 100% wholesome 100% of the time (ok, unless you have a super mom/dad) I agree with others. I would not make a big deal out of it, but I WOULD send a note saying I would abide by the school/school district guidelines. Have a good one!

 

[smokeyblue]

I would just attach a note to the form. I would just say something like: I appreciate your concern for my child's diet, but as a parent I feel that this matter is best addressed by my husband and myself. I hope you understand why I'd feel uncomfortable signing this. Please know I am concerned about my child's health and I will not send any snacks that I feel would be disruptive to his learning or your classroom.

I'd just leave it at that. You don't want to be known as the argumentitive parent unless the teacher is getting really out of hand.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

My twins were in 3rd grade last year & they were in the two classes with "late" lunch. They were all starving in the morning & asking for snacks. My son's class was a peanut free class, and the teacher was concerned about items being brought in that would cause allergic reactions. Both classes sent home a note saying snacks could be brought in, but it contained a list of acceptable snacks including: carrot / celery sticks, grapes, berries, any fruit that could be eaten easily with little mess while working, or a string cheese.

My son's class stuck by the rules well, every time I was there all kids were eating fruits or veggies. My daughter's class which didn't have the allergy issues, they brought in whatever they wanted, chips, granola bars, etc. & there was no issue with the teacher.

Both my kids always brought fruits & veggies. I took the message to be that you can have fruits/ veggies, or skip the snack. My kids are major fruit & veggie eatiers so I had no issue with it. My school has no official policy that snack is mandatory. There are policies about sugary snacks / snacks of no nutritional value, especially in parties before lunch.

 

[RitaE]

One year I was killing myself making little celery sticks with organic healthy peanut butter and raisins and cutting up little carrots ... to find out the Teacher was bringing in huge honking bags of Doritos and sometimes Pop Tarts for her own snack. I'm kind of the same as you, I won't try to wrestle control over what goes into your mouth and in return - you stay out of our parental decisions. It isn't your job.

Schools definitely step over the line at times. I usually just ignore those papers and "contracts" that try to control home life.

Last year it was a teacher who wanted us to pledge no tv during the week until all homework was done and checked. Sorry lady, that's for the parents to decide.

 

[vicki_c]

I would just attach a note to the form. I would just say something like: I appreciate your concern for my child's diet, but as a parent I feel that this matter is best addressed by my husband and myself. I hope you understand why I'd feel uncomfortable signing this. Please know I am concerned about my child's health and I will not send any snacks that I feel would be disruptive to his learning or your classroom.

I'd just leave it at that. You don't want to be known as the argumentitive parent unless the teacher is getting really out of hand.

I like this approach -- and your words for the note.

 

[Purseval]

I guess my problem with this is who determines what is healthy. For my family, we try our best not to eat foods with artificial colors, flavors, BHT, TBHQ and other non food additives. Other people think healthy is vegetarian.

I remember looking at some magazine like Prevention once and there was an ad from some carrot juice company that showed a party with all of these happy people standing around chatting, glasses of carrot juice in hand, and I was thinking to myself "What planet did this ad come from?" But I guess somewhere there are actually people that live like this so who are we to judge.

 

[mybabesuz]

I just had to pay $60 for snack for my Kindergartener.

The Teacher buys the snack for the class.

And what if my child doesn't like the things she buys?

I'm not sure what would happen if I didn't pay.

And YES this is Public School.

 

[crisi]

Our daughter's teacher had a good solution when the kids didn't adhere to her classroom policy of "healthy snacks" - they stopped having snack time about mid-way through the school year when people kept bringing in candy bars. The junk was causing more problems than the snack time solved.

Be careful for what you ask for, she doesn't need to do snack time at all.

 

[StitchBuddy]

I am a teacher and I have a question for all of you. Did you get a snack time during the day at school while in elementary school?? I did not and guess what? I ate my lunch and learned to eat a good breakfast before going to school. My opinion is they shouldn't even have a snack time. The reasons being... it causes bugs and rodents in the classroom, the majority of snacks that kids bring are junk, and they either don't eat their lunches or skip a good breakfast, because they are going to get a snack. Now, that being said, I have to admit I would much rather have snack foods, chips etc... then to eat fruit, so I totally understand where the kids are coming from! But, I agree no one should tell you what to send as a snack, they can make helpful suggestions, but that is as far as it goes. I would NOT sign her contract!

 

[eeyoremommy]

2disneyboys...I could not agree with you more. You hit the nail on the head!

Stitchbuddy...I agree with you as well. I taught in a high school that did not allow food, and I still spent a holiday break (Christmas, I believe) cleaning and trying to catch some rodents that took up residency in my classroom.

This year, my DS starts school at 9:40 and eats lunch at 1:00. Until winter break, his teacher is going to give them a little snack to help them make it to lunchtime. After the holidays, she hopes they will be used to the schedule and not need it. They do work while they eat. I don't remember having snacks when I was in elementary school. When I was older, the elementary kids were allowed to start purchasing a snack at their afternoon recess around 2ish (They started their day at 8:00). It does explain why the high school kids want to eat all the time in class though.

 

[hffmnheidi]

I am on both sides of the fence on this issue.

As an aunt/parent to be-An OCCASSIONAL snack of cookies or chips, perhaps once a week, would be more than acceptable if there were veggies/fruit/pretzels/chex mix/goldfish/whole grain other snacks sent the rest of the days. It is my discretion to send a snack that I deem appropriate and can afford in my budget. If the teacher had sent a suggested list of appropriate snacks, I think parents would be more than willing to comply because she is giving them choices instead of demanding.

As a teacher-cookies/candy/and general junk is a pain in the butt to deal with when you have 20-30 hyped up kids that you are trying to teach a concept to at any age. Food messes and garbage left behind often falls on the teacher to clean up and deal with. Who wants to be smelling wrappers all day in a small classroom?

Perhaps the OP's school needs to come up with a list of acceptable snacks for the entire school/district and not just one particular grade/teacher. This would probably be the best solution for everyone because it's clear from day one in Kindergarden what's acceptable for the duration of the time spent in that school or district. The only exception would obviously be an allergy situation, like peanuts.