Celebrations

Food in the Classroom Policy: The Burlingame School District's Board of Trustees adopted the following classroom celebration (e.g., party foods) revision to its Local School Wellness Policy on August 14, 2018.

The district believes that all foods provided in the classrooms should support the health curriculum and promote optimal health. The district acknowledges that certain types of foods can contribute to childhood obesity and also acknowledges safety concerns for students who may have food allergies. To ensure safety and inclusion for all students the following shall be followed: food treats are not allowed to be brought to school in celebration of children’s birthdays and alternative ways of celebrating these events are recommended; soda and sweetened beverages are not allowed; food for non-birthday classroom celebrations shall include no more than one sweet treat; no more than four celebrations per year that include food are allowed. Classroom celebrations shall be held either first thing in the morning by 9:00 a.m. for a healthy breakfast or held after the lunch period.

Middle school classroom celebrations are limited to one per trimester.

School staff shall encourage parents/guardians or other volunteers to support the District’s nutrition education program by considering nutritional quality when selecting any food or beverage which they may donate for occasional class parties and by limiting foods or beverages that do not meet nutritional standards to no more than one food or beverage per celebration. Annually, parent education materials including the District’s policy on celebratory foods and a guide on selecting celebratory foods compliant with the policy and celebratory non-food options, shall be included in all student registration packets and periodically throughout the year in other parent communications. Class parties or celebrations shall be held after the lunch period when possible.