Snack Time

[WineRN]

Looking for opinions.
We are thinking of transitioning to be a snack free school because honestly my teachers are spending over an hour each week checking snacks, washing hands and following other accommodations specifically around snack time to keep my students with severe food allergies safe.

Personally, I am all for it. I never had snack time growing up so it was strange to me right from the start that we have it. And there is SO MUCH waste in the cafeteria from kids not eating their lunches. Also the snacks sent are usually fast acting carbs (candy, chips, etc) so I feel like any argument regarding it being needed to "get them through the day" isn't really true.

BUT there is no real data regarding snacks, so I am just reaching out to get some opinions and data if you are willing to share, please take my survey!
https://forms.gle/s8oBc4PgkuRWQ2L66

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

[WineRN]

5 hours ago, AdobeRN said:

Parent provided snack at my school also. Teachers decide what time they want to set aside for snack time. Snacks are not checked by staff. If there is a kid that has a nut allergy in class we will send a letter out requesting to send in nut free snacks but it just that ...a request, parents still can provide whatever they want for their kid. Even though we don't check snacks the teachers are pretty good about separating kids if there is an allergy involved - nobody is denied their snack.

We do the same request but we have some students where it's in their 504 plans to not allow the snacks in the room (Which i think creates a false sense of security, but here we are...) which is why my teachers are spending so much time checking snacks it's taking away from instruction time.