Celebrating the 100th Day of School Without Junk Food
January 23, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under 100th Day of School, Junk food in school |
The 100th Day of School is coming up at my kids’ elementary school, and this year, I’m hoping it won’t be another junk food spree.
Like many schools, ours celebrates the 100th day of the school year with activities related to the number 100. In the past, these activities have included making a 100th Day of School snack mix.
Here’s how it went down last year: My son’s first grade teacher sent home a memo asking students to count 100 “healthy” snacks (such as Cheerios, pretzels or raisins), place them in a plastic baggie, and bring them to class. The children then used all the different snack foods to create a special snack mix at school.
Boy, was I ever surprised when my son came home with a Ziploc containing mini marshmallows, candy corn, chocolate chips, M&Ms, yogurt-covered pretzels, Froot Loops and Cheez-Its.
Apparently, I’m not the only one who objects to their kid getting a bag full of sugary processed garbage on the 100th Day of School. In a post published on MomsRising.org, writer Debbie Koenig questions the logic. And just yesterday, a frustrated reader contacted me for advice after receiving this handout from her child’s teacher:
Planning a Healthy 100th Day of School
Our schools should be teaching our kids how to be healthy, not providing opportunities to load up on sugary junk. To that end, I’ll be talking to my child’s teacher about ways to keep it wholesome. Here are a three ideas that I plan to run by her–and hopefully will be of help to you, too:
1) Provide a healthy snack list
Distribute a detailed list of nutritious snack ideas (such as the one below) and remind parents not to bring candy. Better yet, provide a sign up sheet for specific items.
100th Day of School Healthy Snack List
- Popcorn
- Dried fruit (raisins, apples, mango, cherries, cranberries, etc.)
- Freeze-dried fruit (apples, mango, strawberries, etc.)
- Whole-wheat pretzels
- Whole grain O’s cereal
- Annie’s Homegrown Whole Wheat Cheddar Bunnies
- The Good Bean roasted chickpea snacks (sea salt, sweet cinnamon or chocolate flavor)
- Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- Almonds, pistachios or cashews (if nuts are permitted)
2) Make 100th Day of School Fresh Fruit Cones
With the kids’ help, count 100 pieces of chopped, sliced or whole fruit (think berries, melon, apples, pears, bananas, kiwi, etc.) and arrange on a platter in the shape of the number 100. After admiring their handiwork, have the kids place a few pieces into an ice cream cone (such as Let’s Do Organic). Serve plain or top with yogurt or fresh whipped cream and sprinkles.
3) Skip the food
Avoid the snacks and and pick alternative ideas from this list on Busy Teacher Cafe.
How does your child’s classroom celebrate the 100th Day of School? Got any healthy ideas to add to the snack mix list? Please leave comments down below–and thanks for coming by!
So I’m a mom of 4 i that think that list is really good. that the teacher made. I do not think they need Whole-wheat pretzels, Kashi Heart to Heart Honey Toasted Oat Cereal, Cascadian Farm Organic Purely O’s cereal. If that’s what you want your kids to eat than go for it. but please think of the moms that do not feed theirs that way. If wanted to sign up for the Pretzels and send in whole wheat ones. but please do not make it so lose the choose to send in M&M’s or what every i want. You could also send a note in let the teacher know that your child can not eat some of the snacks listed.
Hi Chyrstal: Thanks for your comment and the thoughtful way that you presented your argument. I’m just curious as to why you would object to healthier snacks for your kids. In my opinion, shared food should default to healthier options for the best interest of all children. Plus, we are looking for our schools to practice what they preach. It sends a mixed message to talk about healthy eating but then permit candy and other unhealthy items for the 100th Day of School snack mix. Families are more than welcome to indulge in M&Ms and other types of treats outside of school.
Great ideas! If people really feel the need to have candy, then I’d like them to choose ones that aren’t made with artificial flavors and colors. YumEarth makes lollipops, Unreal makes a version of M&Ms and other candy bars, and Surf Sweets makes jelly beans. Annie’s and YumEarth also make fruit snacks.
Renee — Totally agree about the artificial flavors and colors. I love many of the dye-free options you mention. I still vote to skip the candy, but there are safer and slightly healthier alternatives out there.
While I do agree that you can choose healthier options, I think it’s insanity to think that every parent can afford food like Kashi cereals.
Are you for real? I mean come on. I live in mostly rural suburb. Often time you have to travel 20–30 minutes just to get to a store that carries such food.
Not everyone is well-to-do.
10 M&Ms? If you’re worried about your child eating 10 M&Ms or 10 skittles or 10 mini marshmallows, you might need to consider your priorities.
And yes, I do watch what my children eat. We’re pretty conservative about candy/treats. And I’m pretty sensitive to food dyes, etc.
But you can only expect so much. Wow, just wow. This article was incredibly insensitive in so many ways.
Have you ever looked at the price difference between a bag of skittles or M&Ms and a bag of Yum Earth candies? It’s massively different.
For anyone who needs to save dollars, this article was unbelievably pretentious.
Hi Carrie — Sorry that my post upset you. I certainly didn’t mean to offend. You are right that some of the options that I mention may cost a little more and I should have been more mindful. I do believe there are healthier choices available at Costco and other stores these days (I live 90 miles from the nearest Costco so do not shop there but I hear there are options). And just to clarify, I’m not worried about my child eating the occasional handful of M&Ms or Skittles. But they seem to be given candy and other foods that I consider “special treats” on a regular basis (in the past week, my 6-year-old twins have been given gummi worms, Skittles and other candy on three separate occasions when I was not present). Overall, it is my belief that keeping candy and other junk food out of school is a great way to create some moderation in kids’ lives. They will still get plenty to satisfy in the outside world. Parents who are OK with their kids eating Skittles and M&Ms at school can pack them in their child’s lunchbox. But I don’t think they are appropriate to bring in as a “snack” to share with the class.