Classroom parties

OldDude · Sep 23, 2014

This is straight out of our school policy..."Any food items brought to school to be eaten in the classroom must be store-bought and sealed in the original packaging with the ingredients clearly visible on the packaging. Homemade/home prepared food items are not allowed in the classroom for any occasion. (Elementary Only)." We do allow classroom birthday celebrations (at the end of the school day) and seasonal celebrations. We are NOT a peanut free school.

schooldistrictnurse · Sep 23, 2014

No limit to classroom celebrations but they have to conform to the wellness policy (very clearly spelled out, sugar can't be first ingredient, calories per portion are limited, etc). Teachers have to identify the purpose of the celebration and how it fits into curriculum (100 days would certainly qualify). We ask parents not to send nut containing snacks to the classroom (to be shared or eaten only by the student for brain break) when there is a nut allergy in the room. Guidelines of the wellness policy hold for birthday treats. Currently home made treats are allowed but I see that changing in the next 5 yrs as more districts adopt that policy. Whatever you do make it very clear so that you don't have to judge every time. Our wellness policy came as a result of federal funding for foods requirements.

Wave Watcher · Sep 23, 2014

We also are not a peanut free school. The only time I am called to a classroom about parties/snacks is if there is a peanut allergy or my diabetic is eating. Otherwise, I don't get involved. I'm not a nutritionist and don't get paid to be one. :-) I'm sure our school has a policy on foods that can be brought for parties but it does not involve my opinion. Thank goodness. :-)

AdobeRN · Sep 23, 2014

District policy only 3 parties/year - Winter Party, Valentines & End of year. All treats must be store bought & clearly labeled with ingredients. Teacher notifies parents of kids with allergies of what the treats are going to be & it is up to the teacher in the classroom to monitor it during the party.

The district is slowly moving away from birthday party celebrations or at least they are discouraging them - If a parent wants to celebrate by bringing in treats - the treats must be store bought & labeled with ingredients. Treats are left in the front office until the last 10-15 minutes of the day then the student picks them up and distributes them in class right before dismissal.

I am not involved in any of this unless there is an accidental exposure to allergen or if one of my diabetics is questioning if it is ok to eat the treat. I am really lucky I have a great group of diabetic kids that almost always come see me to check BG & call parent before eating extra treats.

GatezRN · Sep 23, 2014

Thank you all for your in put. After talking to the principal, the other nurses in town, the teachers, and considering advice received here I have a plan! I'm very grateful for your help. Thank you!

100kids, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2014

OMG I am sooo jealous. We have parties here all the time! Sometimes it just drives me crazy!!!! And I have to approve all of the food brought in, see what's ok for kids with allergies, etc. I feel like there's a party every day! It's not really that much but sometimes it sure seems like it when we are celebrating Pi day or Super Bowl or whatever crazy party they can come up with! UGH!

GatezRN · Sep 26, 2014

We decided on three parties involving food a year. I also decided as OldDude's school policy states ..."Any food items brought to school to be eaten in the classroom must be store-bought and sealed in the original packaging with the ingredients clearly visible on the packaging. Homemade/home prepared food items are not allowed in the classroom for any occasion." Teachers are happy, I'm happy. Maybe someone will bring me an extra cupcake :)

allnurses Guide · Sep 29, 2014

We also are not a peanut free school. The only time I am called to a classroom about parties/snacks is if there is a peanut allergy or my diabetic is eating. Otherwise, I don't get involved. I'm not a nutritionist and don't get paid to be one. :-) I'm sure our school has a policy on foods that can be brought for parties but it does not involve my opinion. Thank goodness. :-)

I'm the same - I deal with the diabetic student and we only have one peanut allergy student. I don't make the policy. That is up to the nutrition department, the folks who make our school lunches.

We are not peanut free. That child brings his own lunch to school.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2014

We're peanut free and I have several kids with peanut and/or tree nut allergies - the number seems to keep growing. We don't have a cafeteria to have nut free tables, so we went nut free over all.

Luckily, I don't have to police parties - just any aftermath if an allergen is ingested. Since we are a nut free school, no food containing peanuts or tree nuts is allowed. Food made in the same facility as peanuts/tree nuts is okay as long as it is clearly labeled. Any homemade food must come with an ingredient list. I brief teachers that have students with allergies and conduct Epi-pen training. For the most fact, the kids take it in stride and will go out of their way to ensure they bring something all their friends can enjoy safely.