Does your ES Allow Birthday Treats in the Classroom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent who have two allergy kids, I always check with the teacher for up coming birthdays so I can send a treat with my kids that day. My kid's allergy is my responsibility, not the birthday kid's nor their parents'.

As a teacher, I just want to say, thank you! I love it when parents let me know ahead of time, when school starts that they would like to be notified of upcoming celebrations to bring in alternatives. This keeps the celebrations coming and everyone is included. [/quote

This is spot on. The parents of the kids with allergies should provide safe options for their kids to enjoy during these times.

[Anonymous]

It's completely unnecessary.

My kid's class sang happy birthday in the morning, the birthday kid got to pick a non food goody from a bin, and the day went on.

[Anonymous]

I have worked in 3 Title 1 schools the past 12 years. No birthday celebrations at any of them.

[Anonymous]

We have birthday party day once per month. Anyone can bring snacks, everyone with a birthday that month can participate, everyone in class gets treats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have birthday party day once per month. Anyone can bring snacks, everyone with a birthday that month can participate, everyone in class gets treats.

Sounds equitable and inclusive. And doesn’t take up much time.

[Anonymous]

We just sent in cookies last week for my 5th grade daughter's birthday at a MCPS ES. The teacher only requested that they be store-bought, but of course I know not to buy nuts. But I'm guessing even if I didn't know that, the teacher would have checked anyways. She only allows birthday celebrations on Fridays, so there were actually two celebrated last week. I'm happy this is still allowed, though understand the concerns. Being someone with a multitude of dietary restrictions myself, I also asked the teacher if there were any other diet-related issues I could accommodate but did not hear of any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our ES has a new policy banning treats in the classroom for birthdays - no cookies, cupcakes, etc.

This isn’t Covid related, because students were allowed to bring in treats last year.

Just wondering what the policy is at other MCPS elementary schools. Is this widespread MCPS policy, or is it our principal’s mandate?

Not allowed. Seems school by school. My kid has summer birthday so never had anything anyways.

[Anonymous]

Its up to the principals on what they allow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have birthday party day once per month. Anyone can bring snacks, everyone with a birthday that month can participate, everyone in class gets treats.

Sounds equitable and inclusive. And doesn’t take up much time.

There is no such thing as equity if you care so much buy a treat for kids when it is their birthday and not just your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's completely unnecessary.

My kid's class sang happy birthday in the morning, the birthday kid got to pick a non food goody from a bin, and the day went on.

You do realize that this may be the only time another child gets to participate in a celebration. Its not just about your kid and you realize that bin is teacher paid for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have birthday party day once per month. Anyone can bring snacks, everyone with a birthday that month can participate, everyone in class gets treats.

Sounds equitable and inclusive. And doesn’t take up much time.

There is no such thing as equity if you care so much buy a treat for kids when it is their birthday and not just your child.

Did you actually read this thread? That is EXACTLY what some parents have been doing.

My kids are at a Focus school and I always used to send in extra packages of Oreos for the teacher to have on hand for any kid who forgot or whose parents forgot to send them in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have birthday party day once per month. Anyone can bring snacks, everyone with a birthday that month can participate, everyone in class gets treats.

Sounds equitable and inclusive. And doesn’t take up much time.

There is no such thing as equity if you care so much buy a treat for kids when it is their birthday and not just your child.

Did you actually read this thread? That is EXACTLY what some parents have been doing.

My kids are at a Focus school and I always used to send in extra packages of Oreos for the teacher to have on hand for any kid who forgot or whose parents forgot to send them in.

That wasn't what I was talking about. It was about sending in a treat for a child's birthday. You shouldn't send oreo's as the kids will "forget" their snacks purpose. Send basics like granola bars. I send in a big box or multiple boxes at least once a month for snack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm baffled. Do your children not have Friends that they celebrate with?
Can't believe so much whining over not having the entire world stop for your special snowflakes.

Our school.never had this, 10 years ago even

I’m baffled that you can’t see beyond your wealthy privilege.

Have you not read this thread? Two posters talked about how these in-class birthday celebrations were kind of a big deal for many of the kids at our lower-income school. These families were not doing big parties at ZavaZone or SkyZone. Plus, it’s not always possible to invite the entire class anyway. Even for families who can afford these parties.

Bringing in Oreos to share with their classmates was a fun, low-key way for them to feel a bit special on their birthday.

But, who care, right? Your kid gets a fun celebration with her friends and that’s all that matters.

We couldnt have afforded to bring treats for the whole class either. Very odd to me that someone would think being able to afford treats for all is equitable.

Other students have parents who are struggling with life and couldn't /wouldn't do this because they are struggling with mental health.
would hate to be the kid who has a birthday on the same week as a kid with a mom who would actually bake cupcakes and bring them in while I'm sitting there knowing my parent wasnt even showing up.
Imagine the privilege to believe all kids have caring involved parents who aren't struggling with mental disorders. Wow.

Wow. MCPS hasn’t allowed homemade treats for years. Nobody’s mom is baking cupcakes. Wow.

Wow. Imagine getting shooooook over home made vs store bought.

You idiot, it’s because they can’t serve unlabeled food that might have allergens or razor blades in it. It’s a safety/liability issue. “Wow.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm baffled. Do your children not have Friends that they celebrate with?
Can't believe so much whining over not having the entire world stop for your special snowflakes.

Our school.never had this, 10 years ago even

I’m baffled that you can’t see beyond your wealthy privilege.

Have you not read this thread? Two posters talked about how these in-class birthday celebrations were kind of a big deal for many of the kids at our lower-income school. These families were not doing big parties at ZavaZone or SkyZone. Plus, it’s not always possible to invite the entire class anyway. Even for families who can afford these parties.

Bringing in Oreos to share with their classmates was a fun, low-key way for them to feel a bit special on their birthday.

But, who care, right? Your kid gets a fun celebration with her friends and that’s all that matters.

We couldnt have afforded to bring treats for the whole class either. Very odd to me that someone would think being able to afford treats for all is equitable.

Other students have parents who are struggling with life and couldn't /wouldn't do this because they are struggling with mental health.
would hate to be the kid who has a birthday on the same week as a kid with a mom who would actually bake cupcakes and bring them in while I'm sitting there knowing my parent wasnt even showing up.
Imagine the privilege to believe all kids have caring involved parents who aren't struggling with mental disorders. Wow.

Wow. MCPS hasn’t allowed homemade treats for years. Nobody’s mom is baking cupcakes. Wow.

Wow. Imagine getting shooooook over home made vs store bought.

You idiot, it’s because they can’t serve unlabeled food that might have allergens or razor blades in it. It’s a safety/liability issue. “Wow.”

Wow. You missed the point.

But seriously, WOW to being worried about RAZOR BLADES in home baked food. You should see a psychiatrist.

[Anonymous]

Hard no. Too many allergens. This is not your Grandma’s elementary school. The rules have changed.