How would you feel about this snack policy? (Reason for asking added to original post - Page 3

[menudo]

But Kool Aid supplies 100% Vitamin C and has less sugar than soda! :



Couldn't resist!

Sounds good. Last year DS teacher sent home a list of snacks she restricted (due to previous students allergies) which included nuts. The school sent home a letter which recommended nuts as a snack. :

[MamaDaednu]

I love the idea.
I can't stand following rules usually but think that's an excellent policy. I'd actually be pretty excited if I saw that policy and would be more apt to join the school. It shows a holistic approach to educating my little one. Plus it would stop my child from getting a complete junk snack when I try so hard to insure otherwise.

[ann_of_loxley]

Not an issue at all!...thats how we shop anyhow! hehe

Except for this:

Due to life threatening allergies, we do not allow any nut products at school.

Now I understand some pepole have serious allergies. I have a friend with a daughter with a serious milk allergy - and I mean SERIOUS!... But she doesnt expect everyone around here to make sure everything is diaryfree!lol... She had taught her daughter (who is only 2) how to ask if anything has milk in it and how to get them to check the ingredients for her!
I hope you all dont think I am a horrible person, but my son doenst have a nut allergy, and if he really liked something that fit that bill BUT had nut products in it, I shouldnt expect him to not have it because of others - 'others' should be taught the same and if the children are too young, then the main caregivers should be taught how to monitor this so all is well and safe! .... I mean the world just doesnt work that way though does it?:

[mommy68]

I'm one of the 3 people who voted that it's too strict. I've had 3 children in school for some time now. I wouldn't like someone telling me what I can or can't feed them. I don't mind if the teachers says no fruit juices, cookies or chocolate, real sugary items. But as far as telling me point blank what I can bring and the ingredients, no.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by ann_of_loxley

Not an issue at all!...thats how we shop anyhow! hehe

Except for this:



Now I understand some pepole have serious allergies. I have a friend with a daughter with a serious milk allergy - and I mean SERIOUS!... But she doesnt expect everyone around here to make sure everything is diaryfree!lol... She had taught her daughter (who is only 2) how to ask if anything has milk in it and how to get them to check the ingredients for her!
I hope you all dont think I am a horrible person, but my son doenst have a nut allergy, and if he really liked something that fit that bill BUT had nut products in it, I shouldnt expect him to not have it because of others - 'others' should be taught the same and if the children are too young, then the main caregivers should be taught how to monitor this so all is well and safe! .... I mean the world just doesnt work that way though does it?:

Ingestion is not the only way for an allergic child to come in contact with the allergen. Touching a surface that another child who just ate peanut Ritz sandwhiches touched could kill; some super sensitive people cannot be in the same room. Remember the teen with a penut allergy who died after kissing her boyfriend who had eaten a peanut product that day?

[madskye]

I said other...but my runner up would be fantastic.

Basically, I don't mind if DD (2 1/2) has sweets like cookies or cupcakes at school (assuming sugary sweet, not made with apple sauce and whole grains!)She enjoys it, and eats more according to the posted guidelines at home, so I don't worry about the occasional sweet.

I like for her to have a cookie once in a while. I also like for her to have fruit, veggies, and cheese. Your plan sounds pretty easy to me. I have to go back and see if something like a fig newton would be okay.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by madskye

I said other...but my runner up would be fantastic.

Basically, I don't mind if DD (2 1/2) has sweets like cookies or cupcakes at school (assuming sugary sweet, not made with apple sauce and whole grains!)She enjoys it, and eats more according to the posted guidelines at home, so I don't worry about the occasional sweet.

I like for her to have a cookie once in a while. I also like for her to have fruit, veggies, and cheese. Your plan sounds pretty easy to me. I have to go back and see if something like a fig newton would be okay.

I saw some wheat fig newtons the other day and read the ingredients...not good. I think there was HFC in them.

I don't have a problem with food restrictions (health, non-allergic) at school. They can have sweets at other times.

[Twocoolboys]

Originally Posted by mommy68

I'm one of the 3 people who voted that it's too strict. I've had 3 children in school for some time now. I wouldn't like someone telling me what I can or can't feed them. I don't mind if the teachers says no fruit juices, cookies or chocolate, real sugary items. But as far as telling me point blank what I can bring and the ingredients, no.

I don't think it's about what you can or can't feed your own child. It's about providing healthy snacks that will be shared with ALL the children. I get so annoyed that some people think that gummy fruit snacks are a healthy snack or, worse yet, when the parents don't even try and just send in obvious crap. My child is eating that crap.

The snack mom at my son's preschool last week sent in yogurt, which in theory sounds good. Unfortunately it was filled with artificial colors and flavors, not to mention high fructose corn syrup. Our preschool does have a policy, though not as strict as that one. A lot of people just don't know what is healthy and what is not. They think if you avoid twinkies, you are all set - lol! The snack mom today brought in cantelope and cheese. :

[FancyD]

Originally Posted by EFmom

...but telling me what I can and cannot send is unacceptable.

Really? Seriously? I don't understand this attitude. What's wrong w/ guidelines and a healthy focus on snacks? It isn't only your child you'd be feeding in this situation. It's the whole class, so recommendations make huge sense.

[runes]

i really like the food policy. but that's the way we eat most of the time anyways so it's no biggie for our family.

recently i've been thinking about starting a small preschool coop (almost like a little homeschool preschool coop...it would be quite unstructured. and i was thinking how awesome it would be for the group snack to be either an organic and or local fruit or veggie, because those are the food values that i'd love to help to instill in little ones and families. our family doesn't even consider normal junk food items as 'treats'...we think of it as, well...JUNK that is bad for our bodies and bad for the environment. i'm all for promoting healthy food choices for children and their families because of the pervasive junk food mentality society that we live in.

changing the world...one snack at a time!

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by mommy68

I'm one of the 3 people who voted that it's too strict. I've had 3 children in school for some time now. I wouldn't like someone telling me what I can or can't feed them. I don't mind if the teachers says no fruit juices, cookies or chocolate, real sugary items. But as far as telling me point blank what I can bring and the ingredients, no.

I would find that helpful, myself.

[MomInCalifornia]

Originally Posted by mommy68

I'm one of the 3 people who voted that it's too strict. I've had 3 children in school for some time now. I wouldn't like someone telling me what I can or can't feed them. I don't mind if the teachers says no fruit juices, cookies or chocolate, real sugary items. But as far as telling me point blank what I can bring and the ingredients, no.

I would really like to hear more about your opinions if you don't mind answering a few more questions...kind of like extra credit after a quiz

The guidelines only apply to snack that the parents bring for the whole group, which is about 3 times a year.

When children bring lunch to school, which they do if their parent is working in the classroom that day or if they are staying for "lunch bunch", parents can pack what ever they want (except for nuts because of our allergy policy).

Does that change anything for you or does it still seem over the top? Thanks!

[MomInCalifornia]

Originally Posted by JessicaTX

I wanna see the 2 page list =D

You asked for it

Just for the record, parents are NOT required to shop from this list!!! Last year many people asked if we could let them know some brands or products that were available if they were in a hurry and didn't have time to read labels or make something at home. This list was created as examples...but they can absolutly bring things not listed here!

This list was created looking at Safeway and Trader Joes.

Breads, Bagels, Crackers and Cereal
.

• Miltons Whole Grain Plus Bread
• Oroweat English Muffins 100% Whole Wheat
• “O” Organics Multigrain or Whole Wheat bread (Safeway brand)
• Alvarado St Essential Flax Seed or California Style bread
• Middle East Baking Company whole wheat pita pockets
• Trader Joes whole wheat pita pockets
• Sarah Lee Mr. Pita 100% whole wheat pita pockets
• Marie Callender’s original corn bread mix
• Bette’s Diner Raisin Scone Mix
• Sarah Lee Mini Bagels, Cinnamon Raison Swirl made with whole grains
• Trader Joes Mini Bagels, Whole Wheat
• Kashi TLC Original 7 grain crackers
• Trader Joes Multigrain Rounds crackers
• Trader Joes Wheat Crisps Crackers
• Trader Joes Mini Stone Wheat Crackers
• Trader Joes Honey Whole Wheat Pretzel Sticks
• Snyder’s of Hanover All Natural Pretzels (Safeway)
• “O” Organics Thin Wheat crackers (Safeway brand)
• Triscuits crackers, any flavor
• Joes O’s Cereal, original flavor(Trader Joes brand)
• Old Fashioned or Quick Oats Oatmeal, original flavor
• Barbara’s Bakery Shredded Oats Cereal (TJ or Safeway)
• Back to Nature Classic Granola, Original or Apple Blueberry (Safeway)

Protein

• Black Beans (canned are fine)
• Part skim mozzarella, mild cheddar etc string cheese cut in cubes
• Cottage Cheese
• Dannon All Natural yogurt
• Stonyfield Farms yogurt
• Hummus for dipping vegetables, pita bread, pretzels etc
• Cream Cheese
• Eggs: Hard boiled, deviled, or egg salad
• Lean Meats such as deli sliced turkey or ham

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
*Small fruits such as grapes and cherries must be sliced in half before serving

• Berries: Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and Blackberries
• Melon: Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon
• Apple slices or no sugar added applesauce
• Orange slices or tangerines
• Bananas
• Peaches or Nectarines
• Pears
• Sliced grapes or cherries
• Pineapple
• Kiwi
• Carrot slices or Carrot ‘chips’
• Pea Pods, Snap Peas
• Jicama
• Cucumber slices
• Bell pepper slices
• Sliced cherry tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Edamame

[MomInCalifornia]

Originally Posted by kidspiration

i really like the food policy. but that's the way we eat most of the time anyways so it's no biggie for our family.

recently i've been thinking about starting a small preschool coop (almost like a little homeschool preschool coop...it would be quite unstructured. and i was thinking how awesome it would be for the group snack to be either an organic and or local fruit or veggie, because those are the food values that i'd love to help to instill in little ones and families. our family doesn't even consider normal junk food items as 'treats'...we think of it as, well...JUNK that is bad for our bodies and bad for the environment. i'm all for promoting healthy food choices for children and their families because of the pervasive junk food mentality society that we live in.

changing the world...one snack at a time!

I can't tell you how many parents start the year saying "my child will NEVER eat hummus, or bell pepper slices etc...and then guess what the childs favorite new food is after seeing it a few times, watching their friends gobble it up etc!

We have had a few parents request requiring organic food, but as a board we decided this was unrealistic to expect. While I try my best to purchase organic as often as possible, there are months I can't afford to do it for my family of 4...requiring that for 30 children is just not fair to families.

Now we do like to party at our school, and we have great events like the annual ice cream social, a December holiday party, Mothers Day Tea etc and we do allow desserts at those! However, they must still follow the nutrition guidelines of no trans fats, artificial colors and sweeteners. So for the ice cream social we have toppings like fresh berries, toasted coconut, granola, real whipped cream and organic chocolate sauce. The kids loved it!

[honeybee]

I think it's a great nutrition plan.

We were told we could not bring in candy or cake or cookies for birthdays, but only healthy treats. I'm fine with that. We were also told it had to be store-bought unless we had a TB test on file with the school. : That part I think is a bit overboard.

[MomInCalifornia]

Originally Posted by honeybee

We were also told it had to be store-bought unless we had a TB test on file with the school. : That part I think is a bit overboard.

Don't you know a negative TB test means you keep a clean kitchen and are a good cook

Seriously though, that has got to be the oddest policy I have ever heard! All of our parents do have a TB test on file with the school as licensing requires it (unless you sign an exemption which we are happy to accept) but that has nothing to do with us allowing you to bring home made goods!

I've seen some schools go to a no homemade policy and I guess I see part of the reasoning, but I am SO glad we have not gone that route. We have about 60 families between our 3 classes, and it is really more like a family than a bunch of strangers. The kids LOVE getting to bring snack...they typically help shop for the foods, bake with mom or dad, and then feel so good about sharing with their friends. We have some amazing cooks and the kids get to try such neat things.

One mom last year picked grape leaves from a bush at our school and she and her child took them home to stuff them. She brought them for snack the next day and the kids loved them.

[the_lissa]

Store bought? That is nuts.

While I love the policy, I don't understand why the parents bring snack in for the whole class a few times a year, instead of just packing their own kids' snack every day.

I've never heard of that happening here.

[runes]

Originally Posted by AbigailsMomSarah

I can't tell you how many parents start the year saying "my child will NEVER eat hummus, or bell pepper slices etc...and then guess what the childs favorite new food is after seeing it a few times, watching their friends gobble it up etc!

We have had a few parents request requiring organic food, but as a board we decided this was unrealistic to expect. While I try my best to purchase organic as often as possible, there are months I can't afford to do it for my family of 4...requiring that for 30 children is just not fair to families.

Now we do like to party at our school, and we have great events like the annual ice cream social, a December holiday party, Mothers Day Tea etc and we do allow desserts at those! However, they must still follow the nutrition guidelines of no trans fats, artificial colors and sweeteners. So for the ice cream social we have toppings like fresh berries, toasted coconut, granola, real whipped cream and organic chocolate sauce. The kids loved it!

ita with requiring organic being a huge financial responsibility when it comes to providing a snack for 30 children. luckily, more and more supermarkets are offering organic options.

the ice cream social sounds lovely, those toppings are so delicious and i'm sure the kiddos absolutely loved that!

[MomInCalifornia]

Originally Posted by the_lissa

Store bought? That is nuts.

While I love the policy, I don't understand why the parents bring snack in for the whole class a few times a year, instead of just packing their own kids' snack every day.

I've never heard of that happening here.

We are a parent co-op preschool so families are very involved in the running of the school. We work in the classroom 2-3 times a month, serve on a commitee, maintain the school etc. Part of the co-op philosophy is the family being a part of the school experience.

Snack is served family style in the kitchen and is open all of free choice time (an hour and a half). The kids can come in and eat when ever they are hungry. The children learn so much by the simple act of bringing snack for their friends, and the children are exposed to so many new foods that they might not have tried before.

Many parents also bring snacks that the children get to be involved in making...for instance, yesterday was my snack day and we brought our blender so the children could make their own smooties. We brought plain yogurt, strawberries, bananas and peaches and the children LOVED it!!!

We actually have never had a parent request a change to sending individual snacks and people really seem to enjoy the oppertunity to bring snack.

[the_lissa]

Yeah it sounds good. I just never heard of it before.