Should schools be mandating what parents feed their children?

[dimpy.handa]

In my school district, the 'rule' went in this fall that parents are no longer to send treats like cupcakes, rice krispie squares, cake, candy, etc for class parties (Christmas, St Pats, Easter, Halloween, etc). They can only send healthy foods as directed by a huge package available at the school to read if you want. This directive went through the council board without any input from principals because mine had a fit about not being told until it was already voted in.

Anyhow aside from the 'problem' of childhood obesity, here is an example of what can happen with this new rule. A child's birthday is coming up. Mommy decides to make chocolate chip cookies for each child in the class as a special treat. Mommy and birthday kiddo bake the cookies and bundle them up for school. The 6 year old is so happy to take these cookies, proud as punch. But when they get to the school and the smiling child hands teacher the cookies, teacher has to say NO!!!!! Teacher has to explain to the child that she is not allowed to hand out the cookies because they are 'not healthy'. 6 year old is left standing there sad and upset because the cookies he helped bake have to go back home.

 

[swatiraohnlu]

Yes, some parents might be careless about what their children eat on a daily basis, but does it make sense to base policy on the lowest common denominator? Why punish the parents who know very well how to feed their own children properly? If I were a parent with a child at this school, I would want to be able to supply lunches from home, including (as an occasional treat) things like candy bars.