Really, what is the world coming to?

[SLK1]

Today in our PTA Board meeting, the principal announced that no home-baked products could be brought to the classroom; only store-bought. Fine, I get why that is - allergies, cleanliness (for those of you who let your cats up on your counter, DON'T - that is gross!). Then, she said that at our school carnival, held on-property but on a Sunday, we couldn't have a cake walk, nor could we have a bake sale - unless it was all store-bought (I for one HATE store-bought items). Then, it went further...we have a popcorn machine and a slushie machine that we use for various events (the machines were not cheap I might add) and THOSE might be off-limits too! I mean, come on. When I grew up, we had home-made everything, we ate stuff at the schools, and we were just fine. I'm really getting sick of all the rules and regulations put on all of us these days. Anyone else feel the same? It's just kind of sad.

 

[Stephres]

We got the home-made ban at our school as well. At the PTA activities it doesn't seem like its the principal's business what you serve: she must be a major control freak.

It certainly takes a lot of the fun out of events!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

My oldest is in preschool for the first time this year, so I'm new at all this. I asked her teacher if I could bring in some cool cupcakes for Halloween, and I was told that the Principal doesn't allow anything like that. I swear I was so upset I could have cried! I totally understand that we don't want our kids hyped up on sugar every day from what they eat at school, but common - its Halloween!!!
There is also a kid in the class with a nut allergy, so I don't know what we are allowed to bring in at all.....

 

[DawnM]

Our local school doesn't allow it either.

Dawn

 

[Kaler131]

My kids schools still allow homemade stuff....at least for the time being.

 

[minkydog]

I imagine it has to do with liability. With so many people ready to file suit over piddly stuff most schools are just not willing to take the risk that some donated cupcakes made somebody's kid sick. And with all the concern over potential food terrorism(poison candy apples?) who could blame them?

Let it go.

 

[momto2inKC]

Our district has had a no home baked goods policy for years now. I like the idea of it myself.

 

[imthatgirl]

we have the same policy. i dont care much, and the kids dont care where the cupcakes come from. no harm, no foul.

 

[Camno's Mama]

I think it's disappointing as well. I know why they do it, and it makes sense, but it's still a bummer.

 

[oldbay]

Our school has a no treats rule now. So, for your kid's birthday you can bring in pencils/sticker sheet/small toy for the birthday to share - no food - homemade or store-bought allowed. I guess it is because of allergies. I am not sure I care either way and the small toy seems to be a hit with my son.

 

[Jenroc]

I run a green home child day care and if I didn't bake, the kids would get nothing !! There is more harmful ingredients in the packaged treats than there are in good, old fashioned baked goods - even if a cat is on the counter !! ( I have no cat nor would I allow it on the counter but still....... ). I agree the amount of refined sugars has to be decreased but the parents should have the backbone to stand up to their child(ren) when then have had enough. A cupcake is not going to make them run crazy for hours - a sugar "high" lasts for about 20 minutes.
Sorry ..... didn't mean to get preachy but it is sad that the things we used to love about our childhoods are being eliminated from our children's lives and these new options are worse for them.

 

[kathianne]

Frankly I appreciate the ban.

I'm leary of homemade items unless I know the person very well, even then, you'd be shocked at some people's hygiene and baking.

But its not so much the hygiene issue as I got sick and tired of all the cookie/cupcake days. It was always somebody's birthday, or some reason to send in treats, my kids would be hyped up on sugar, kill their appetite, not eat lunch, have a crash end of day, then I'd hear all about how they were misbehaving. Took awhile to put together the misbehaviors and the treats, when I pointed that out I was practically tarred and feathered, seems moms were competing over their cupcakes. Now the most they can send in is non-food items, stickers, pencils, etc.

Come on--school isn't one ongoing party, get real!

 

[I Believe n Fairies]

Our school also has a ban on treats of any kind for birthdays and parties. We have a carnival coming up and we usually do a cake walk, too, but I have not heard if it was banned for this year.

Our school is very strict about the sweets brought to school, BUT they serve ice cream ala carte every Friday. And, you can only purchase it if you buy your lunch; if you bring your lunch from home, you will not be allowed to buy the ice cream. Now, tell me how that makes sense??? I, too, am not real pleased with the ever increasing Do Not's sent home from the school.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We can still home bake at our school. But I still don't, store bought is just so much easier.

The popcorn and slushee machine I don't understand. since when is crushed ice and popped corn .....homemade?

 

[DisneyKT]

They just like to suck everything that is fun out of school. We have a healthy snack policy. Ok fine I get it. But my DD is not overweight and IM sorry if other kids are overweight. But a snack at school isn't going to make or break them its what they eat at home. Also birthday celebrations are down to just one a month. The last Friday of the month. We are still allowed to bring in homemade goods. We will see how long that last.

 

[aladams2]

There is also a kid in the class with a nut allergy, so I don't know what we are allowed to bring in at all.....

I thought that too until my daughter was diagnosed two weeks ago with a tree nut allergy. No walnuts, pecan, cashews, ect. I was like ok, we don't really eat nuts at our house anyway. Then the dr. said we need an epi-pen. OK. Then I did research on all this and then realized how bad things could get if we're not careful. She could die!! If I let her eat a walnut and it isn't treated she could go into shock. Please, please take these allergies into consideration when bringing snacks, home-made or store bought. It doesn't take very long to check out the label to see if a nut is listed. It could save someone's life!

 

[PattnFmly]

Our school has similar policies. While I understand not being able to bring in anything for birthdays (time consuming in a busy school day too, not to mention sugary food) I draw the line at a ... get this ... bake sale that everything has to be store bought and donated! I don't buy much store-bought baked stuff anyways. I'm not going to buy it, marked up in price, in the school hallway! I'd rather just give them $ and be done with it. Homemade is what tastes good to me!

 

[miprender]

Our school has the same policy too, which I am happy because if someone brought in a cake/cupcake for every birthday my DD would be eating way too much. I know our school is for allergies but also for weight. We are one of the few schools who now have their kids measured for Body Weight Index or something like that.

But when I went to school many years ago, I don't ever remember any food in the classroom. I must have had a strict district.

 

[shelly3girls]

We received a similar notice from our principal last year. The state mandated that nothing may be served in the school that had any form of sugar as one of the first 3 ingredients. At the start of school he was not sure if it would apply to parties or not. It turns out that it did not but maybe your principal has a similar reason.

As a parent of a child with a tree nut allergy, I completely agree with only store bought items in the classroom. My DD has the right to a safe environment in the classroom. Her life should not be risked b/c a parent does not read the box on a cake mix. I am sorry that this limits what can be used in a classroom party but her life is more important and honestly most kids could really care less.

I don't agree with the limitation on the bake sale if it is only for the reason of allergies. My DD would avoid the area and we would not purchase any of the items. This is much different than being in her classroom. That said I would not really care either way. The principal has to face the consequences if something happens and I would guess that he has a reason for the rules.

 

[karinbelle]

You may not be aware - but there are kids out there with even an EGG allergy! Anything made with an egg could put them in danger.

Yes, this probably goes for the store-bought stuff too, but at least those have an ingredient list on the side so the school has the ability to check before giving it to an allergic kid.

My DS is allergic to blueberries. Strange, I know, but I'm grateful that I taught him from an early age to avoid this food. Now, he's afraid to be in the same room as a blueberry LOL.