Board of Education members approved the new policy during their Aug. 1 meeting. Members Kurt Buchholz and Patrick Escalante voted “no.”
While classroom parties – including birthday parties – must be celebrated without food, “alternative non-food classroom celebrations are allowable” in the new policy. The new policy also prohibits the use of food as a reward and encourages staff to use non-food items as a reward, such as pencil toppers or extra recess. It also recommends that any snacks students bring from home and eat in the classroom meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School Guidelines, such as fruit, vegetables and water.
In addition, the new policy requires that any food soldduring schoolfor fundraising must meet and adhere to the USDA Smart Snacks in School Guidelines. Those curricular activities involving food within schools also will require an exemption procedure form approved by the building principals prior to the planned activity.
Read more about the ban at My Suburban Life.