Maybe you can share the sweets in the teacher lounge instead of taking them home? You are in a tough spot!

I know your issue! Thank them and either bring it home, move it to the lounge, or give it away... There are several homeless folks on my walk home who would love the calories. cheers

Awww you sir have a special place wherever you are going. (Ok that didn't sound like a compliment, but I meant it to be. - lord my words are horrible this morning)

Our school has implemented a Blue Zones initiative.... sweets are not allowed thru the front doors, snacks for the elementary students who have snack time must be from an "approved" list, such as fruit, string cheese, 100 cal pack snacks, ....I can't think of the rest right now, but also on birthdays, no more cupcakes or "treats" once a month you can bring in items from the "approved" list for a birthday treat.

A gal here at work who just enrolled her boys, took cupcakes into the school for his birthday, she hadn't gotten the letter (she didn't attend open house) and they told her to leave the school, and she wasn't allowed to see her kid until the cupcakes were gone. OY. A little extreme, they could have allowed her to leave them on the table while she visited him emptyhanded, but not my circus not my monkeys.

I've told my kids no snacks at school, I don't want to get a letter from the school. And we eat school lunches, I go and eat with them on special occasions but i don't bring them any food. It's like nazi land in there.

Not sure what our school would do if your student brought something in personally but I know if it was found it'd be pitched.

I think you did a good thing tho.

Our school has implemented a Blue Zones initiative.... sweets are not allowed thru the front doors, snacks for the elementary students who have snack time must be from an "approved" list, such as fruit, string cheese, 100 cal pack snacks, ....I can't think of the rest right now, but also on birthdays, no more cupcakes or "treats" once a month you can bring in items from the "approved" list for a birthday treat.

A gal here at work who just enrolled her boys, took cupcakes into the school for his birthday, she hadn't gotten the letter (she didn't attend open house) and they told her to leave the school, and she wasn't allowed to see her kid until the cupcakes were gone. OY. A little extreme, they could have allowed her to leave them on the table while she visited him emptyhanded, but not my circus not my monkeys.

I've told my kids no snacks at school, I don't want to get a letter from the school. And we eat school lunches, I go and eat with them on special occasions but i don't bring them any food. It's like nazi land in there.

Not sure what our school would do if your student brought something in personally but I know if it was found it'd be pitched.

I think you did a good thing tho.

The Blue Zones thing, while flawed both in principle and execution in my opinion, isn't a bad idea overall. Goodness knows it's infinitely better than what's in most schools, both in lunches and non-lunch food items (I kid you not, I saw the Pepsi vending machine filler guy at my local middle school! Middle school!). I don't know what your school meals were like when you were a kid, but mine were godawful, and they keep getting worse, in no small part thanks to the ludicrous USDA standards for a "healthy" meal (and then they wonder why kids are obese and Diabetic).

FD, et al;

My bride recently retired after 40 years "behind the desk", 1000 little "sponges" (all primary 1-5) instilled with her love of learning, and a 1000 set of parents, many of whom expected her to do not only her job - but their's as well.

I stopped counting, long ago, the number of times parents said to her (often in tears), "I don't know how you do it, I just can't get my kid to... (fill in the blank), but s/he will do anything for you. All we hear at home is, "Mrs V said....""

They're often the same ones that "didn't attend the conference", can't be bothered to open their kids backpack ("s/he won't let me snoop"), or read her weekly blog (let alone the 10's of 1000's of emails she's sent).

Our district (typical, predominantly white, upper middle class (credit card millionaires), suburban with a "...not MY kid..." attitude - actually (finally) did embark on a nutrition focused lunch program (still based mostly on the USDA but better than nothing).

Hired a forward thinking director who implemented a number of "farm fresh" and redesigned menus. Middle School kids grew veggies for use in the cafeteria, and we *finally* were able to get the soda machines out after years of trying) - all steps in the right direction.

The results were (sadly) - underwhelming. HS lunch sales dropped, prices increased to offset the declining volume, and kids now use their "lunch money" at the local 7-11 (which they drive to in their bmw's) for "junk food". Without support at home, there is only so much one can accomplish, despite the best of intentions.

In the primary grades, increasing awareness of the ever-growing food allergies issues so many kids now face has had a major impact on both policy and individual teacher's concerns.

Birthday "treats" (sent in by parents) must now be "pre-approved" by the School Nurse - not for nutrition (or even sweets), but for the protection of kids in that class with specific allergies.

I worked in the same district, part time, for the last 15 years in Transportation as a Driver, Trainer, and Examiner, and under a "no nonsense" Director who brought the department (kicking and screaming) into the 20th century (still trying for 21st). One of the changes made was to prohibit the carriage of "birthday party treats for the class" on our buses.

When parents were "forced" to hand deliver the treats to school (instead of just handing their kid a bag to carry on the bus), AND to have them examined by the Nurse, things began to change - slowly, but in a positive direction.

As a driver, it was common knowledge (based on personal experiences) when (in the "old days") - Teachers would have a day before a holiday "party", or a classroom "birthday" party. The kids arrived at the bus for their ride home on "sugar highs", discipline problems went through the roof and safety suffered.

We actually tracked discipline issues (bus misconduct write ups) over the course of a couple years and the correlation was not only unmistakable but so stark and obvious that it couldn't be ignored.

So, yes, many "plans" are "..flawed both in principal and execution..." AND we're STILL in "baby steps" mode - but at least they are steps in the right direction.

BUT the schools, teachers, and administrators (whose actions I don't often defend) CAN NOT do it ALONE!!

Without parental input and support NOTHING will work (ask any "dedicated" Teacher why the first day back to school after an extended "break" or vacation feels like "starting all over again").

I know your issue! Thank them and either bring it home, move it to the lounge, or give it away... There are several homeless folks on my walk home who would love the calories. cheers

Awww you sir have a special place wherever you are going. (Ok that didn't sound like a compliment, but I meant it to be. - lord my words are horrible this morning)

Our school has implemented a Blue Zones initiative.... sweets are not allowed thru the front doors, snacks for the elementary students who have snack time must be from an "approved" list, such as fruit, string cheese, 100 cal pack snacks, ....I can't think of the rest right now, but also on birthdays, no more cupcakes or "treats" once a month you can bring in items from the "approved" list for a birthday treat.

A gal here at work who just enrolled her boys, took cupcakes into the school for his birthday, she hadn't gotten the letter (she didn't attend open house) and they told her to leave the school, and she wasn't allowed to see her kid until the cupcakes were gone. OY. A little extreme, they could have allowed her to leave them on the table while she visited him emptyhanded, but not my circus not my monkeys.

I've told my kids no snacks at school, I don't want to get a letter from the school. And we eat school lunches, I go and eat with them on special occasions but i don't bring them any food. It's like nazi land in there.

Not sure what our school would do if your student brought something in personally but I know if it was found it'd be pitched.

I think you did a good thing tho.

Wow, that's a little hardcore. I think moderation is just fine, but the other poster's point about determining allergy concerns would be important. I think schools are expected nowadays to be where kids learn EVERYTHING, including things that are meant to start at HOME. But I digress...

I would probably take a little bit of the pie and leave the rest in the teacher's lounge! I give you lots of credit for not even trying the cookies!

(snipped)
I am a bad example. I will buy pizza for my class twice a year. I also draw a couple names each week for full sized candy bars. Really though, a candy bar every 2-3 months is probably not the end of the world. At least, that is how I sleep at night.

FRob;

Fine....I'll buy the "...draw names for full sized candy bars, pizza," and even the "..not the end of the world" - different Teachers find different motivational tools and if it works, it works.

BUT......

Give them to the kids at 9:30 am, "sugar" them up, and then YOU deal with the sugar highs all day - DON'T pass the stuff out 10 minutes before the bell, "sugar" them up - and THEN put them on MY bus for me to have to deal with!!!! <VBG>

PS - KJK, I told my wife the same thing for years and she didn't pay any attention to me either <G>

Wow, I'm not a teacher and I'm glad I don't have to deal with those strict guidelines, but when I attended school there were 24 children in my class and when I graduated there were only 125 in the whole high school. There were 3 women cooks probably in there late 50's that got up before dawn to prepare home cooked foods. The bread, hamburger buns, pizza crust, everything was made from scratch. They even canned roast! The food was fantastic and it will always be a fond memory for me of my school days. That was in the 60's and you could probably count on both hands the number of children who were plump - not obese - it was almost unheard of. Of course, we did alot more walking to school (if you were a town kid) and playing outside and the farm kids worked along with their parents. Everybody was just more active and outside more.

I'd be a lot more comfortable with candy and pizza as treats/prizes at school if I believed they were all eating nutritious, home cooked meals at home. sigh. We live in a complex world.

I am a former k-12 teacher, at a small pseudo private school. Not much crap on their plates when I was there, and definitely not much now (the soda machine dispenses water). This was always a positive for the school!
I now teach university and am hard pressed to CONSISTENTLY find nutritious and delicious food for myself to eat for lunch. They will get good stuff (like organics in the campus store) but they never last long...not enough of a market for them, sadly.

Granted it's even worse when the students aren't in session and it's just the faculty/staff. Most of the "restaurants" close, and the campus store stops stocking fresh food of any kind.

(snipped)
I would feel bad, but the candy bars are typically a huge motivator for my class. I hand out tickets for on task behavior and other stuff all week long. Kids will work very hard for a chance to win the candy. It keeps them from getting too many rewards to care (there's only so many pencils, stickers, etc. before you don't care if you get another--they always want an extra ticket). Some teachers hand out skittles and stuff, as immediate rewards. I don't teach low enough where I need that (usually). And, I hate candy in my room.

FRob;

Not sure what grade level you are in but my bride was (until 2/14 retirement) 41 years primary, every grade 1-5 and few "combos".

What worked for her (and you're more than welcome to appropriate if you wish since she doesn't need them anymore<g>) were a couple variations on the pencils and stickers routine).

First was her "prize drawer" (drawer in her desk filled with dollar store "junk"). Took a "special, above and beyond" level of achievement to earn a trip to the drawer (which she dispensed sparingly) and the kids lived for - especially the part about going to the drawer in front of their peers.

Next was the "gold coin jar". (probably similar to your "tickets")
Focused mostly on "random acts of kindness" when a kid performed one, she would acknowledge it immediately (in front of the whole class), call the kid to come up and add a "gold coin" to the jar.
When the jar was full, the whole class voted on their "reward" - pajama day, no homework day, backpack recess (depending on age group), whatever choices she gave them. Great "team" builder.

I mentioned to her I was going to share her ideas with you and wasn't sure about grade level and her response was "my first graders had 5th grade "buddies" (who visited her class one day a week to work one on one with their "buddy"), and every year the 5th graders, after learning that the first graders had earned "pajama day", literally begged their teacher for a chance to earn it too."
"First grade or fifth - they're still kids" - she said.

No question the kids respond to motivators, trick is finding ones that work for your kiddos, keeping them fresh, and raising the bar to where they "earn" one, high enough but not too high. Sounds easy but anyone who has not actually been there usually can't relate to how tough it can be to find the right "balance".

By the end of the year her 'bar" was so high (for most of the kids) that it almost took an act of god to earn either one but when someone did, not only was that kid beaming ear to ear for days but so too was the rest of class celebrating his/her achievement.

She was "old school", "no nonsense", strict, and her kids loved her almost universally. Yes, I'm biased (obviously) but only because I hear it so frequently from her co-workers, administrators, and parents of the 1000 or so "kiddos" she nurtured (many of whom return to visit often).

Our school has implemented a Blue Zones initiative.... sweets are not allowed thru the front doors, snacks for the elementary students who have snack time must be from an "approved" list, such as fruit, string cheese, 100 cal pack snacks, ....I can't think of the rest right now, but also on birthdays, no more cupcakes or "treats" once a month you can bring in items from the "approved" list for a birthday treat.

A gal here at work who just enrolled her boys, took cupcakes into the school for his birthday, she hadn't gotten the letter (she didn't attend open house) and they told her to leave the school, and she wasn't allowed to see her kid until the cupcakes were gone. OY. A little extreme, they could have allowed her to leave them on the table while she visited him emptyhanded, but not my circus not my monkeys.

I've told my kids no snacks at school, I don't want to get a letter from the school. And we eat school lunches, I go and eat with them on special occasions but i don't bring them any food. It's like nazi land in there.

Not sure what our school would do if your student brought something in personally but I know if it was found it'd be pitched.

I think you did a good thing tho.

The Blue Zones thing, while flawed both in principle and execution in my opinion, isn't a bad idea overall. Goodness knows it's infinitely better than what's in most schools, both in lunches and non-lunch food items (I kid you not, I saw the Pepsi vending machine filler guy at my local middle school! Middle school!). I don't know what your school meals were like when you were a kid, but mine were godawful, and they keep getting worse, in no small part thanks to the ludicrous USDA standards for a "healthy" meal (and then they wonder why kids are obese and Diabetic).

FD, et al;

My bride recently retired after 40 years "behind the desk", 1000 little "sponges" (all primary 1-5) instilled with her love of learning, and a 1000 set of parents, many of whom expected her to do not only her job - but their's as well.

I stopped counting, long ago, the number of times parents said to her (often in tears), "I don't know how you do it, I just can't get my kid to... (fill in the blank), but s/he will do anything for you. All we hear at home is, "Mrs V said....""

They're often the same ones that "didn't attend the conference", can't be bothered to open their kids backpack ("s/he won't let me snoop"), or read her weekly blog (let alone the 10's of 1000's of emails she's sent).

Our district (typical, predominantly white, upper middle class (credit card millionaires), suburban with a "...not MY kid..." attitude - actually (finally) did embark on a nutrition focused lunch program (still based mostly on the USDA but better than nothing).

Hired a forward thinking director who implemented a number of "farm fresh" and redesigned menus. Middle School kids grew veggies for use in the cafeteria, and we *finally* were able to get the soda machines out after years of trying) - all steps in the right direction.

The results were (sadly) - underwhelming. HS lunch sales dropped, prices increased to offset the declining volume, and kids now use their "lunch money" at the local 7-11 (which they drive to in their bmw's) for "junk food". Without support at home, there is only so much one can accomplish, despite the best of intentions.

In the primary grades, increasing awareness of the ever-growing food allergies issues so many kids now face has had a major impact on both policy and individual teacher's concerns.

Birthday "treats" (sent in by parents) must now be "pre-approved" by the School Nurse - not for nutrition (or even sweets), but for the protection of kids in that class with specific allergies.

I worked in the same district, part time, for the last 15 years in Transportation as a Driver, Trainer, and Examiner, and under a "no nonsense" Director who brought the department (kicking and screaming) into the 20th century (still trying for 21st). One of the changes made was to prohibit the carriage of "birthday party treats for the class" on our buses.

When parents were "forced" to hand deliver the treats to school (instead of just handing their kid a bag to carry on the bus), AND to have them examined by the Nurse, things began to change - slowly, but in a positive direction.

As a driver, it was common knowledge (based on personal experiences) when (in the "old days") - Teachers would have a day before a holiday "party", or a classroom "birthday" party. The kids arrived at the bus for their ride home on "sugar highs", discipline problems went through the roof and safety suffered.

We actually tracked discipline issues (bus misconduct write ups) over the course of a couple years and the correlation was not only unmistakable but so stark and obvious that it couldn't be ignored.

So, yes, many "plans" are "..flawed both in principal and execution..." AND we're STILL in "baby steps" mode - but at least they are steps in the right direction.

BUT the schools, teachers, and administrators (whose actions I don't often defend) CAN NOT do it ALONE!!

Without parental input and support NOTHING will work (ask any "dedicated" Teacher why the first day back to school after an extended "break" or vacation feels like "starting all over again").

Since you directly quoted me twice, I can't help but feel you took at least some person offense to the opinion I stated.

Referring to "Blue Zones" is almost always referring to a very specific set of dietary practices, which are very nearly vegetarian and almost the polar opposite of the ideals in places such as this group, where animal products in general, and fats specifically, aren't demonized the way "Blue Zone" supporters do it. That's what I was referring to, as I'm of the opinion that the "Blue Zones" idea is, itself, deeply flawed.

I'm already quite familiar with some of the issues schools face when it comes to food. Heaven forbid my son, who can't drink milk due to being lactose intolerant, just drink water. No, the mandates dictate that he must have some kind of "milk" with the meals they give him (preschool, meals are part of tuition). As a Paleo person, I also fully anticipate running into similar stupidity as my son gets older and have been preparing for that confrontation if the school system decides that the meals I send him aren't "adequate" or whatever.

This isn't the fault of the teachers, but rather of a broken system. In fact, I kind of pity the teachers for being caught between legislation that makes little sense, is obviously ineffective, or almost completely unfunded, and parents who can't seem to be bothered to help raise their own kids. That's why I said it was a good idea in general, and probably the result of having to balance trying to find actual, effective changes to the menu with stupid USDA mandates that are basically actively hostile to good health.

The teachers are doing what they can, and I applaud that, because at least it's better than nothing.

I found it amazingly hard to uncover the meat and bones (so to speak) of the Blue Zone principles on the web. The program seems to be extrapolated from books by author Dan Buettner, who wrote for National Geographic. All very generalized statements - Move more; have purpose; reduce stress; attend religious services (what?!); eat lots of vegetables; ... I guess, to get the specifics, you're supposed to buy the book. But I find it astonishing that this program has been changing public school policies. Especially with the religious component.

In the three pages of recipes I found on the author's website, only one contained salmon. The rest were vegetarian.

Been there done that lol! I also drive a bus and work weddings.... Oh and my mom and mil are avid cake bakers! It's very hard sometimes!

I am a former principal ... well I'm still a principal, just work at the District Office. There are federal guidelines around what schools can offer students due to the Federal Lunch Program. During my last few years I began to implement a stronger nutrition policy for two reasons... one the law required it.. and because I was interested in students not setting up the bad habits that so many adults that I know have to "overcome" .. If you scout around on school websites you will see a lot of examples of nutrition policies. I think what parents may not appreciated that is with 30 kids, if each brings BD cupcakes.. that's a lot of days of sweets.

Several teachers established no cupcake rules, prior to the "policy" being put into place. I left shortly thereafter but it worked well that year. I also went around at lunch and gave little reward notices to "great choices for snacks" It is a battle. A number of us have discussed how hard it is just to get our families to choose less sugar, so not sure how much influence we have on other people's kids, even as educators.

I did find it interesting how many folks are teachers in the group. :0 )

Back to the original problem, I had quite a few teachers on special diets for various reasons, and they just told kids, "Oh honey, that's so sweet of you, but I don't eat cookies because of a special diet. Would it be ok if I gave these to ...(fill in the blank)" They also told the parents at Back To School Night that they were fighting sugar urges or some other comment to signal "no sugar please"

Yep, totally agree. However there are a few factors at play here.

She is not my child, although she lives with us full time. She is a very immature 13yo, and simply will not be told no on anything. I've spoken to her Dad, he agrees with me, but he will not tell her to do anything, ever. I've spoken to Grandma and she ignores me, for the same reason. Dad has had full custody of the daughter for the last 7 and a half years, but she goes to her mums every second weekend. Mum has never shown any inclination to want to be a parent, however Dad is afraid if he tells her no on anything she will run off and live with Mum (who is not equipped to dealing with her illness). All understandable BUT does not help this child. I am not allowed to treat her as I do my own. I can not tell her to do her washing, or wipe up the dishes, or put her things away. I asked her last night to please not sit in her room and constantly text us every night (from 3 meters away) but to come out and talk to us. It's annoying as hell, we can't ever just sit and watch a TV show. That resulted in her crying a fit, and me looking like the bad guy.

I simply don't know what to do in this case. My kids ate what they were given, and this would never have been an issue. I do try so hard to help, as no one else seems to be looking out for her health. Dad takes her swimming twice a week after a push from me, and I manage to convince her to walk the dog sometimes. I've talked to her about diet, shown her articles about how processed foods are bad for inflamation etc, explained to her how eating better can help her feel better, and preserve her health long term, but I'm just breathing hot air.

Perhaps I need counselling :P

I wish the schools here had stricter guidlines. My partners 13yo daughter has rheumatoid arthritis, and I've talked to her until I'm blue in the face about eating whole foods, and cutting out rubbish to help her feel better. She complains constantly about feeling lethargic and sore and upset stomach and headache (I know, I sound harsh, but it really is mostly just complaining, when you ask her how bad it is it's "just annoying"). Her dad has backed up my stance on eating healthier and steering clear of processed foods, at least in theory, but it isn't enforced, not even a little.

I do the bulk of the shopping, and I don't buy junk food (I've told her that a little sometimes is okay like when you're out with friends or whatever, but no need to keep it in the house). So last night I see her packing her lunch box, and in it she has 3 candy bars, chocolate custard, a packet of crisps, and a drink which is marketed as 25% fruit juice but is pretty much just sugar. I don't even know where she got all that crap from. I'm going to say some from Grandma, and some from her Dad, who both think giving her everything she wants is the answer to all her problems ("poor thing, we can't say no to her, feeding her rubbish will make it all better").

And when I commented that it wasn't really a healthy lunch, would she like me to pack her something better, she ignored me and went and called Grandma to ask if she could stay there the night, because I'd apparently been mean.

Maybe if this kind of rubbish wasn't allowed at school it'd help. Not saying it's their responsibility, it's totally ours, but still.

What about talking to her dad and grandmother? Show them the science and evidence that clearly illustrates that the sugar and crap are making her RA even worse? This is your child's health we're talking about here, and not even the arguably nebulous "you think you feel good now, you'll feel even better doing this!" type of thing you see when trying to improve the diet of a family that already feels they're healthy. RA is an autoimmune disease, and by eating all that sugar and whatnot, she's pretty literally destroying her body in a very visible way.

No body should be in chronic pain, especially not a 13 year old. Not putting your foot down about food now is going to set her up for a life of pain and deteriorating quality of life.