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DEL.ICIO.USDo you take snacks to school for the class?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At some metro Atlanta elementary schools, snack-time comes courtesy of the parents.
The daily treat might be sliced apples, cheese and crackers or a chocolate chip cookie.
At some schools, the treats are provided by parents as part of a snack rotation, and when it’s your turn, you decide. Otherwise, you are at the mercy of other parents and their food choices.
Has this snack challenge caused any problems for your child or you, and what kind of healthy snacks do you bring to class when it’s your turn?
Please share your stories and tips with AJC features writer Helena Oliviero at holiviero@ajc.com.
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Comments
By Lucia
September 11, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
There was a time when I took snack week very seriously, I took pride in baking muffins or cookies or cupcakes for my daughter’s class. Two years ago, the school system implemented a “no homemade food” policy. All snacks must come individually packaged and cannot be homemade. I can see the school’s point of view that this just keeps kids safe, but I know what the children are missing - morning glory muffins with apples and carrots, vanilla cupcakes with real buttercream frosting, chewy oatmeal raisin cookies or cowboy crunch chocolate chip cookies. If their parents don’t bake or cook, how will kids know what real food tastes like?
By AMBK
September 12, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
My kid’s school snack comes from home, so I know that its heathly if I pack it. However, in Scouts, parents are asked to bring in group snacks on a rotation basis. It amazes me how many parents think juice boxes, Coke, cookies, and chips are appropriate at 8 pm on a school night. I am the mean Mom, leaving for home before snack is rolled out at the end of the meeting! When it’s my turn, they get granola bars, cheese sticks, or whole grain mini-bagels with peanut butter, and water to drink.
By Working mom
September 15, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
I am a working mom and a teacher. I was really concerned when I learned that my first grader would not be bringing his own snack each day… that there would be a class snack calender. I tell my own students that they are not allowed to have cookies or chips or any other “junk” food. They still try and I make them save it for after school. For my own child’s days, I send in organic cereal bars or homemade trail mix. Then I know that at least twice a month, my child has a good snack. His teacher has now even said to all parents, no chocolate or junk food… including sugared cereal:)
By Mom To 3
September 16, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
To Lucia - I agree in theory, but also am inclined to be more comfortable with pre-packaged snacks when I don’t know the person (or their personal hygiene) preparing the snacks.
I would much rather send my children with their own snacks (my kids are more inclined to choose cheddar cheese, yogurt, grape tomatoes, apples or something similar) so I don’t have to wonder what they are getting.
By David
September 16, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
I think each child should bring their own snack. Isn’t it up to the parents to decide what their children may or may not eat? It’s not the teacher’s decision, nor is it the school’s or the government’s. Individual responsibility and choices are what made our nation great. Let’s not forget where we came from.
By Lucia
September 16, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
I agree with you, Mom to 3, about the hygiene issue. Our school system’s policy was implemented in the wake of the “toxic brownies” episode. It just seems a shame that foil-wrapped snacks are considered safer for kids, when they’re not necessarily healthier than homemade.
By Shelby Force
November 20, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
This is awesome!!!