Category: Classroom parties
Goodbye, Healthy Classrooms! Hello, Cupcakes.
| January 21, 2016 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Competitive foods, Cupcakes, Junk food in school, Making change, School parties, Wellness committee, Wellness policy |
I thought my days of kvetching about cupcakes were over. Last year, with a new district wellness policy in place, my kids’ school parties looked like they’d been hacked from my Healthy School Party Food Pinterest board. Here, for example, is the spread at my then-3rd grader’s class Halloween party. Seriously, does it get any better?!? But […] more
New Year’s Resolution: Take Care of ME
| January 7, 2016 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Classroom treats, Cupcakes, Junk food in school, Making change |
OK, moms: Have you fallen into the “busy trap”? If you constantly feel overwhelmed and dream of escaping to a tropical island, then the answer is probably “Yes.” For the past few years, I’ve been stuck there as well. Don’t get me wrong, I LIKE being busy. And my overscheduled life is totally my own doing. I have no […] more
Frustrated by Junk Food at Your Child’s School? How I Fought Back–and Won
| November 13, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Food rewards, Healthy classroom treats, Improving school food, Junk food in school, Making change, Teachers, Wellness policy |
Three years ago, I was a mom fed up with all the junk food that my kids were getting at school. From cupcake and ice cream parties to Froot Loop necklaces and McDonald’s field trips, it felt like they were being handed unhealthy processed food left and right–the very foods that we were trying hard to avoid. A couple […] more
A Year of Healthy Class Parties: A Planning Guide for Parents & Teachers
| September 25, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under 100th Day of School, Classroom parties, Healthy classroom treats, Healthy parties, Healthy school snacks, Healthy treats, Junk food in school, School parties, Sugar, Valentine's Day |
For the past several years, I’ve been chief party planner in my kids’ elementary classrooms. I chose the role in hopes of having healthy class parties, and it really has worked out great. While a couple parents struggled with the absence of cupcakes, the vast majority have embraced the healthy change. And the children? They haven’t batted an […] more
Before Taking On Junk Food at Your Kid’s School, READ THIS
| September 18, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Improving school food, Junk food in school, Making change, School food, School lunch |
Fed up with all the junk food at your child’s school? Wondering why your efforts to teach healthy eating habits are being undermined? A few years ago, I was where you are now. Unable to just live with it, I found myself compelled to fight for change–or die trying! Since then, I’ve learned valuable lessons on how to be a successful advocate for […] more
Healthy Classrooms Initiative: Educating Teachers on Healthy School Celebrations, Non-Food Rewards & More
| July 30, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Food rewards, Healthy parties, Healthy snacks, Junk food in school, Making change, School food, School parties, School policy, School wellness programs, Teachers, Wellness policy |
I’m so excited to have teamed up with a local registered dietitian to create an education initiative targeting the people in our school community with the greatest power to influence our kids: our teachers. When a school district doesn’t have a firm policy when it comes to classroom food, teachers are the ones who decide how to handle […] more
Should We Just “Let Kids Be Kids” When It Comes to Junk Food?!?
| May 22, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Classroom treats, Cupcakes, Healthy parties, Junk food in school, Obesity, School parties, Sugar |
A class party without cookies, donuts or cupcakes topped with two inches of frosting? Shocking, I know. But this year, thanks to their nutrition-conscious teacher, my twins and their Kindergarten classmates have feasted on fresh fruit and wholesome treats like whole grain carrot muffins at most school celebrations, including birthdays. And guess what? They are […] more
5 Secrets to Throwing a Healthy Class Party
| March 12, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Classroom treats, Healthy classroom treats, School parties |
Earlier this school year, I signed up to be Room Mom for my kids’ classrooms, thinking it would be a good way to lead the charge for healthy class parties. Since our school has no policy on food served in the classroom, celebrations tend to involve junky stuff like cupcakes and donuts. And as we […] more
Creating a Healthy School: 3 School Wellness Ideas that Work!
| March 6, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Junk food in school, Making change, School wellness programs |
As much as as I wish my school district was more on board with school wellness–or that someone would step in and require it (see Michelle Obama, Can You Hear Us? We Need Help Getting Junk Food Out of Our Schools!)–for now, my best option is to continue working on the ground to make change. […] more
A Healthy School Birthday Party–But Did We Really Need the Food?
| January 10, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Classroom treats, Cupcakes, Healthy parties, Healthy school snacks |
My oldest son recently celebrated his 8th birthday. Last year, when he was in 1st grade, birthdays were celebrated once a month as a group. But his 2nd grade teacher follows a different playbook: She allows each student to bring in a treat to share with the class. When I suggested bringing popcorn as his birthday […] more
I created this blog to raise awareness and start a dialogue about the various issues involved in school food. By writing about it, I hope to provide parents and educators with ideas and inspiration for making healthy changes in their own schools. Since healthy eating habits start at home, I also address common feeding challenges faced by parents.
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