The recently announced that beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, it will
New Program for Classroom Treats
If you’re a parent who likes to send treats to class for your child’s birthday, you will need to make sure that they meet the Eat Smart Advanced Guidelines that have been adopted by the district.
While that might complicate your plans, the district has added a new program that will make it more convenient, plus help ensure that your treats meet the new nutritional standards.
Parents can now order birthday treats from the district’s Child Nutrition Department by calling 314-953-5990 or their kids’ school cafeteria.
Treat options, all of which meet the guidelines, include sour blue raspberry Italian Ice, chocolate sherbet, reduced-fat white cheddar popcorn, apple slices with low-fat caramel and grape or apple juice.
Napkins, plates and utensils are included and will be delivered to the student’s class during their lunch period. Early childhood students will have their treats delivered directly to the classroom.
Parents Respond
Melina Piece-Collison currently has two of her four kids enrolled with the Hazelwood District. She said that at first she was upset with the guidelines, but after rethinking it, she’s actually happy about them.
“The district isn’t doing this because they want to be mean or controlling,” she said. “They are trying to do what’s best for our children in every aspect while they’re in their care.”
She said that the nutritional changes in the district are just one more step in the right direction—but when it comes to birthday snacks, she’d take a more creative route.
“As for the birthday snacks, little treat bags with puzzles, police man badges, rings and glow sticks will have to do,” she said. “Parents should find a way to compromise.”
Errin Neuner, who has two children, said that she wouldn’t use the district’s new option for birthday snacks.
“I think it’s a fun time to make something special with your child for him or her to bring in for their birthday,” she said in a Facebook post. “It’s just not the same bonding moment when you order it, especially from the school cafeteria.”
Neuner added that she shouldn’t need to be responsible for other people’s kids, either.
“If it’s a case of other parents complaining about their overweight kids, healthy eating habits start in the home,” she said. “I don’t think a treat day is going to make a difference.”
Other parents feel differently, of course. One Hazelwood mom said that the pure convenience factor would be enough to lead her to utilize the new service.
What do you think about the new guidelines? Will you use the new program for classroom treats? Share your thoughts in the comments section, below.
As the mother of two HSD students, I can relate. And as much as we'd like them to make healthier choices, we can't dictate what they choose from the choices they're given. We put the money on their lunch accounts, and we can ask them to skip the sugary drinks or the fat-filled desserts, but we aren't there to enforce it, and kids will be kids. Even if you choose to send a lunch, you can't be sure that your child will eat it (or ONLY it, in some cases.) I think parents hope to see the positive changes all the way across the dietary board, rather than just in certain areas.