And, yes, I realize that there are suggested snack alternatives that include peanut and nuts . . . there will always have to be "safety first" with true inclusion for those with anaphylaxis in schools . . . it is possible.  School staff will have to think outside the box sometimes.  Truly not that hard. 

"Retreat is not an option."
http://missionreadiness.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/MR-NAT-Retreat-Not-an-Option1.pdf


From opening page of the report:

Quote
This is also the first
year in which candy and many other high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks and beverages in vending machines and elsewhere are being replaced with healthier snacks and drinks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

QuoteMission Readiness argues that "[w]ith children consuming up to half of their daily calories while at school and out of sight of their parents, schools should be a focal point in the nation's effort to combat childhood obesity."

Bettina at The Lunch Tray blogs about the latest push from Mission Readiness:

http://www.thelunchtray.com/military-leaders-urge-staying-course-healthier-school-food/

Feb 7, 2013

Rant of the Day: Please Stop Feeding My Kids Junk Food at School!

http://school-bites.com/stop-feeding-my-kid-junk-food-at-school/

Keep Your Crap to Yourself

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Thinking Moms' Revolution

Quote
   I've been so discouraged by all the food issues at school, that I sent both of our principals this book for Christmas.  When I heard the story of the Atlanta elementary school principal who banned sugar and added bottled water at her school, I was in love, as her school's test scores went up TWENTY-FIVE percent in ONE year.  She even put the teachers on an exercise schedule. WOW!

http://thinkingmomsrevolution.com/keep-your-crap-to-yourself/


(Book she linked to =
Healthy Kids, Smart Kids: The Principal-Created, Parent-Tested, Kid-Approved Nutrition Plan for SoundBodies and Strong Minds  by Yvonne Sanders-Butler )

Stop Feeding My Kids Sugar

Quote
This is a guest post by David Teten, father of three and partner with ff Venture Capital, an early-stage technology investor in New York City. David blogs at teten.com.

The world rains sugar on my children. The bus driver offers my child bubble gum. The teachers give cupcakes at every birthday party. The school vending machine is full of junk food; so is the one at the YMCA. At camp, the counselors offer candy and an ice pop at the end of the day. Our kids are invited to birthday parties which include a cake, a candy piñata, and then a goodie bag bursting with still more more candy.

Why are people incessantly feeding my kids sugar?

http://www.parents.com/blogs/food-scoop/2014/08/21/diet/why-schools-wont-stop-giving-our-kids-sugar/

Bit by bit, there is positive change:

http://www.today.com/parents/cupcake-ban-schools-crack-down-birthday-treats-1D80012817

Begin Page 6, original thread

ajasfolks2  5/2/2011

QuoteArticle about Georgia's newest Anti-obesity (children) campaign:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/02/georgia-child-obesity-ads_n_856255.html

ajasfolks2  6/21/11

QuoteOne more recent article to add to bolster case for food-free events, rewards, incentives at school:

For 64 Percent of Kids with ADHD, Food is the Cause
New study shows the impact of a child's diet.
By Sara Novak
Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:00

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/for-64-percent-of-kids-with-adhd-food-is-the-cause.html

ajasfolks2  6/21/11

QuoteLatest article from Journal of Pediatrics has info and discussion as to the increase in numbers of food allergic children.

LINK:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/06/16/peds.2011-0204

Anyone may buy a 2-day sub to the article & print copy or save to harddrive for personal use ($12 US).

ajasfolks2  9/8/2011

QuoteRelated --

Bettina's blog at TheLunchtray (has guest blogger today -- Chris Liebig) discussing the painfully-short lunch period for students:

http://www.thelunchtray.com/tlt-guest-blogger-chris-liebig-on-the-incredible-shrinking-lunch-period/

ajasfolks2  9/8/11

QuoteFrom an old link.  Just making sure we have this here:

Quote
Nuts, food canned in classrooms
By Bethan L. Jones/ Staff Writer
Thursday, June 23, 2005

With the trees and plants in full bloom, many residents are feeling the inconvenient effects of seasonal allergies; a runny nose, itchy eyes and the cause of those killer afternoon headaches, sinus pressure.
For most, allergies are just a quick blip on the way to summer, a week when a certain plant causes a reaction. For a growing number of school-age children, however, allergies are a serious day in-day out concern.
According to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in December 2003, the incidence of children with serious peanut allergies has doubled in the past five years. In a study by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 374 students between September 2001 and May 2005 had anaphylactic reactions in school.
In Lexington, 159 children in the nine public schools suffer from life threatening allergies ranging from tree nuts to latex.
Starting in September, a new allergy policy will be in place calling for all faculty to be trained in allergy awareness and the use of an EpiPen, a hypodermic needle used to inject a patient with epinephrine to help prevent anaphylaxes.
The policy will also end the tradition of food in the classrooms, including parties, and will continue of nut free tables at the elementary level.
Jane Franks, a former allergy and immunology nurse and the coordinator for school health services, is the author of the new policy and a strong advocate of keeping Lexington's allergy policy at the cutting edge. Lexington wrote its original policy six years ago, the first in the state, which was used by numerous other schools and the Department of Public Health in setting state allergy guidelines.
"[The policy] creates a safer environment for all students," said Franks from her office at Lexington High School.
Currently at all Lexington schools, on-site nurses maintain a supply of EpiPens in case of a student reaction. According to Franks, approximately 25 percent of reactions at school are first-time reactions. All students with serious known allergies are required to have an individual health plan which, under the new policy, will be designed by the student's allergist or primary care physician and be signed off by the child's parent or guardian.
One of the most noticeable areas of change will be the elimination of parties, bake sales or any other event which would bring food into the classroom. Under the current policy, only classrooms with identified allergy students have been made food free but as of September, food will not be allowed in any classroom.
Franks said the decision may sound harsh but the change has proved successful for the well-being of the students, promoting a healthier attitude to food. At Bowman Elementary School this academic year, several teachers tried food-free classrooms and found it so successful, they, with the help of the Bowman nurse, have written a handbook to help guide other teachers.
Rather than cupcakes on a child's birthday, teachers can invite the student's parent or grandparent to come in and read the student's favorite story. Instead of eating Chinese food to celebrate Chinese New Year, students can learn origami.
"There are lots of things you can do which ... focus on cultural events," said Franks, adding in other school districts like Newton which have enforced food-free classrooms, students can wear a special cape or have a birthday chair cover.
Harrington kindergartners were started with food-free classrooms this year with success. Franks said the change in culture will be beneficial to all students, not just those suffering from allergies, citing the increase in juvenile diabetes, gluten and lactose intolerance and childhood obesity. She added the removal of food will also help stunt the unhealthy association of sweet foods as a reward for good behavior, a practice which has limited effect on classroom performance and a lifelong effect on a personal response to food.
"We have to make sure all kids have healthy food choices," said Franks. "The policy lays the groundwork for developing the wellness policy we are required to have in September of 2006."

(cont'd . . . )

Quote

Quote(. . . cont'd)
In 2006, all school districts will have to have a comprehensive wellness policy which will promote physical education and activity, health education with a focus on nutrition and how the schools promote food choices for students.
School lunches will have to meet federal guidelines, and food as rewards or any other way extra food is added to students diets addressed. There is also state legislation pending which would require all public schools to have a full-time nurse at each school in a district. Lexington presently has a nurse at each building.
At the School Committee meeting Tuesday night, where the new policy was unanimously passed, the committee praised the work of Franks and the other nurses who revamped the policy.
"The old policy holds up fairly well but this new policy is an advance for us," said Committee Member Scott Burson. "It is really meeting the needs of the students."

ajasfolks2  9/9/2011

Quote

QuoteWe cannot ever know what all the needs are in a classroom so far as LTFA or other health needs.

Neither can the staff.

This is a perfect example of why the event should exclude food so that it includes every child -- the LTFA-to-whatever, the diabetic, the obese, the other-med-need-you-pick, the health-conscious.

We do a disservice when we accommodate the school's use of food rather than insisting on the most appropriate and inclusive solution:  food free celebration.


This is an opportunity for you to aid the school by educating them as to the exclusion that occurred and how it might have been done differently . . . starting with never promising a "special treat" (implying food) EVER in schools as a reward/incentive/crutch.


Aside from the KNOWN other food allergic children there, what many seem to forget is the not-yet-diagnosed food allergic (anaphylactic, even) child may be in that group as well . . . and this could be the first reaction for that child -- no epis, no training, no awareness . . . until the crash happens.

Schools are taking on an insane amout of liability by allowing these food events.

And if parents enable that, it will never change.

ajasfolks2   9/15/2011

QuoteAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

powerpoint slide show

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound,
Shaping Habits that Shape Obesity

www.aap.org/obesity/ppt/OunceofPrevention.ppt

End page 6, original thread.  END ORIGINAL THREAD!!



Please, carry on!

Begin Page 5, Original Thread

Ra3chel  8/27/09

QuoteSomething worth pointing out--the use of food as a reward doesn't just contribute to obesity. Most of the people I know with restrictive eating disorders also tend to frame food as a reward--something that a) is optional, and b) has to be earned.

Point being, it's a bad philosophy for reasons that go well beyond the simple risk of obesity.

ajasfolks2  8/27/09

QuoteWhy Parents and Teachers Should Not Use Food as a Reward in School
June 15, 2009

by Nancy Tracy   

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1847483/why_parents_and_teachers_should_not.html?cat=25

McCobbre 8/29/09

QuoteOne of the things I love about DS' Middle School is the consistency we see.  The first two days in each class were spent relaying expectations and rules. We had to sign something for just about every class so that we as parents understand the expectations, too.


For ever class we've seen the reward system--consistent throughout the grade:

QuoteStudents who behave appropriately will be able to receive the following rewards:
-Positive notes home
-Verbal praise
-Awards and distinctions
-Participation in special activities

I'll be interested to see how this is carried out, but at this point I am thrilled.

ajasfolks2  9/28/09

Quote
Pretty good policies regarding limitations on food use in school.

http://www.northandoverpublicschools.com/schoolcommittee/ADF.pdf

ajasfolks2   9/27/2010

QuoteI don't see this one here, but it's good.  (Might be in here as another link, as I'm sure I've seen it.)

Using Candy to Reward Children for Good Behavior
By Joanne Ikeda, MA, RD
Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education Specialist
Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology
University of California, Berkeley

http://www.kansasnutritionnetwork.org/docs/Using%20Candy%20to%20Reward%20Children%20for%20Good%20Behavior.pdf

ajasfolks2  9/27/10

QuoteSouth Dakota DOE pamphlet

The Use
of Nonfood
Rewards in
School

Creating
a Healthier
Classroom

http://www.healthysd.gov/Documents/NonfoodRewards.pdf

ajasfolks2  9/27/10

QuoteBetter School Food document

http://www.betterschoolfood.org/downloads/resources/BSF_Food_Rewards.pdf

ajasfolks2  9/27/10

Quote"Crappy food is not a reward.  It's a punishment."

Drew Carey

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/24/drew-careys-weight-loss-c_n_738387.html

ajasfolks2  11/9/10

QuoteExcellent organization & great info in this .pdf and at their website:

http://missionreadiness.org

http://cdn.missionreadiness.org/MR_Too_Fat_to_Fight-1.pdf

ajasfolks2   12/2/10

QuoteI'm thinking this link is already in here, but wanted to be sure.

It's got the cumulative sugar intake chart that should be

   EYE OPENING   

for people who still shove candy at kids in school!


http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/284/28142.pdf

ajasfolks2  12/29/10

Quote

QuoteWhether or not the party food is what caused her death isn't the end all be all. (did she have an allergic reaction?  Still not sure on that...right?) The fact that it's even a question needing to be investigated screams food isn't necessary for a school "celebration". Trying to determine if food served to students in school killed one of them shouldn't even be a consideration on the "what happened" list.

Celebrations should never be under circumstances where teachers, parents, or STUDENTS, for that matter have to make a determination if what's being served is "safe". There's always room for error. Sooner or later, luck runs out.

I included the whole quote for context -- quote is from thread about Chicago student who reportedly died Dec. 2010 from anaphylaxis due to party food in school.  (Thread in Main.)

The second paragraph ought to be considered for inclusion as one advocates for reduced or NO FOOD classrooms and celebrations.

ajasfolks2   1/3/2011

QuoteRelated articles as to food, children, obesity.

2011: The Year of the Vegetable

Children can learn to enjoy healthier foods if they grow them with their parents. It's easier than you think.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704774604576035211826290534.html


Childhood Obesity: Michelle Obama Wants You to Get Serious About It
Neal Barnard, MD

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/neal-barnard-md/childhood-obesity-michelle-obama_b_803221.html

ajasfolks2  1/28/2011

Quote

Parents and Teachers Working Together: Should Food Be Used as Learning Materials?

By Terri Jo Swim, Ph.D., and Ramona Freeman, M.A.


http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=613

From the Conclusion:

Since teaching is more of an unfolding than a destination, we will never have "arrived." In this sense we must guard against practices that are deemed right just because we have always done it that way.

ajasfolks2  2/11/11

QuoteOur own thread here in regular SCHOOLS area highlighting and listing the myriad ways that food is used/abused in schools:

Food in Schools: Working List as an EYEOPENER!   started by ajasfolks2, March 2009

http://allergy.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=9589&start=1
<link removed and replaced with link here>
Food in Schools ~Working List Eyeopener

ajasfolks2  4/14/11

Quotebumping for someone here who was looking for place to post suggested alternative (positive reward) to food.   

This may be the thread I was thinking of, but I don't have time right now to read it all through.

End Page 5

Begin Page 4, original thread

ajasfolks2  1/21/09

QuoteArticle I wanted to put link to in this thread --

A Birthday Celebration Without the Sweets

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/18/AR2008051802089.html


(BTW, the comments after the article are, for the most part, idiotic.)

ajasfolks2   1/21/09

QuoteHere's a couple of schools' published BDay policy I ran across today:

http://www.chester-nj.org/Dickerson/Birthday-Celebrations.htm

http://www.marblehead.com/schools/newsletter_fall_08.pdf

ajasfolks2   2/9/09

QuoteUseful report for pushing for overall removal of food in classrooms &/or provided by any source other than cafeteria (standard meals):

Building a Modern Food Safety System:
For FDA Regulated Foods

By Caroline Smith DeWaal, J.D. and
David W. Plunkett, J.D., J.M.

http://www.cspinet.org/new/pdf/fswhitepaper.pdf

ajasfolks2   5/2/09

QuoteAddresses "marketing" of foods to kids --

Similar argument could be used against all the in-class use (including parties and Bdays) of food:

http://www.commercialalert.org/obesity.pdf

(possibly some of their older links to sources may not work now, though we may be able to find the new links Googling)

ajasfolks2   6/5/09

QuoteHow a junk food diet can harm pupils' performance
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:44 AM on 23rd May 2009

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1186719/How-junk-food-diet-harm-pupils-performance.html

The link between junk food and poor performance at school has been proved, say researchers.

There is a direct correlation between the amount of high fat and sugary foods pupils consumed and their academic results, according to a U.S. study.

What is the study they are citing here?  Do we have link to it posted here?

ajasfolks2  6/5/09

Quotehttp://coy.state.va.us/docs/ChildhoodObesity.ppt

Childhood Obesity in Virginia
Virginia Commission on Youth
May 19, 2003

George S. Hamilton


From slide #17

"Because young people spend the majority of their time in schools,
educational institutions have a unique opportunity to encourage,
motivate, and promote healthy choices among school-age children."

From slide #18

"An investment in health is an investment in better academic performance.  When children's basic nutritional and fitness needs are met, they have the cognitive energy to learn and achieve. . . . Increased physical activity leads to higher academic achievement -- increased concentration, improved test scores, reduced disruptive behavior. . . . Improved test scores occur even when academic classroom instruction time is reduced to compensate."

From Slide #47:

Establish nutritional code of conduct within and around schools.


Note:  this ppt presentation has some sources cited on bottom of many slides.  I've not had time to go through those and list them here to be sure we have them linked to.  I'll try to get to it.  If anyone else has time to do this, please feel free.

ajasfolks2   6/5/09

Quote
http://blog.shapingyouth.org/?p=662

Bogus Junk Food Bans & Bait-n-Switch Tactics Proliferate School Policy


At bottom there are links to related articles and sources.

ajasfolks2  6/5/09

Quotehttp://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/620

Beyond the Food Fights: Helping Schools Get Healthy

ajasfolks2  6/5/09

QuoteI think the NFL group pushing for exercies & fitter youth is

NFL Play 60

ajasfolks2  6/5/09

QuoteI think we already have this here, but wanted to be sure:

America's only sugar-free school producing a real solution to childhood obesity


http://www.examiner.com/x-867-LowCarb-Lifestyle-Examiner~y2008m12d18-Americas-only-sugarfree-school-producing-a-real-solution-to-childhood-obesity

Story is about Browns Mill Elementary School in Lithonia, Georgia.

The principal is Dr. Yvonne Sanders-Butler.

Related website (her school) =
http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/~brownsmill/health.html

CNN link =
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/12/11/sugar.free.school/




Related .pdf --

How Far Would You Go to Save a Child?

http://gae1.org/pdf/KNOW/4.2/feature2.pdf

ajasfolks2  6/10/09

QuoteReport that may help in the argument for reduced/removal of food in schools (except for reg meals, AKA bfast and lunch) as it shows info about increase of food allergies in general population -- also may be helpful in getting school to contain the food (cafeteria only) as means of risk reduction:

NCHS Data Brief
Number 10, October 2008
Food Allergy Among U.S. Children: Trends in Prevalence and Hospitalizations
Amy M. Branum, M.S.P.H. and Susan L. Lukacs, D.O., M.S.P.H.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db10.htm


8-page pdf version:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db10.pdf

ajasfolks2  8/27/09

QuoteFood-free classrooms, 2005 short article.  Canada, but still useful for USA & others.

http://aaia.ca/en/food_free_classrooms.htm

ajasfolks2   8/27/09

Quote
Congress to Tackle Junk Food in Schools

Legislation introduced would update nutritional standards, ban unhealthy foods

March 12, 2009

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/03/congress_junk_food.html

ajasfolks2  8/27/09

QuoteGrand Islands Public Schools Brochure

Wellness Committee

Using Non-Food
Rewards in
School

http://www.gips.org/assets/files/Lunch/Nonfoodrewardsbrochure.pdf

ajasfolks2   8/27/09

QuoteSchool Food Practices of Prospective Teachers

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117974076/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0


Source:

Journal of School Health
Volume 77 Issue 10, Pages 694 - 700
Published Online: 7 Dec 2007

© 2009, American School Health Association

End of Page 4

Begin Page 3, original thread

CMdeux 5/2/08

Quote

QuoteJust started reading
"The Fattening of America: How the Economy Makes Us Eat, If It Matters, and What to Do About It"

by Eric A. Finkelstein and Laurie Zuckerman.

There's a whole section about childhood obesity and school.

How many Book-It points will I get for reading that I wonder?

I mean, we are sooooo close to being able to get that pizza that could kill DD and I both. (sarcasm fully intended)

Momcat 5/2/08

QuoteDS dutifully brought home his book-it coupons every month during K.  Hallelujah that his first grade teacher doesn't do book-it!  Woo Hoo!

GingerPye 5/4/08

QuoteWe have had a "healthy snack" policy in place at our school for two years now.  But they still insist on having pizza parties as rewards for this that and the other.  Pizza and pop. 
At least most of the time I get a call letting me know that they are going to have pizza.  However, the student council advisor still does not call me.  I have to call her when my DD tells me something is coming up. 

P.S.  I hate book-it too; when I was teaching and having to do it, and now with my FA kids. 

ajasfolks2 6/2/08

QuoteCross-posting this idea from the INCLUSION thread here.

Quote

Changing gears slightly, but wanted to share this suggestion for food-free birthday celebrations that was posted at that article/comments about Acton schools:

(paraphrasing the suggestion)

Parents send in a white t-shirt the first day of school.
(Follow on suggestion to go in on a spare or two for those families that
might not be able to afford shirt -- parents, PTA, or classmates can do this.)

The classmates all sign shirts for the kids who have a birthday (I assume the day/week prior?). 
The birthday child gets to wear his/her shirt on birthday at school.
Kids with summer/vacation birthdays get shirts too & wear them at beginning of school year or end,
depending on when Bday is in summer. Everyone is included and it is a lasting memory.   
When the BDay boy/girl wears the shirt, everyone in all the grades & throughout the school
wishes a happy birthday so the fun is spread throughout the school and not just in the classroom!

Feel free to add any suggestions to improve on this or modify as need be.

But I just think it is a great, great idea.
(Better even than a signed-pillowcase idea I had heard of elsewhere.)

becca 6/6/08

QuotePizza and ice cream, maybe even soda(I forget, but 3 items) on the list to earn for a current reading challenge. 

My dd will likely not be able to have the ice cream, she hates pizza with sauce, though we can find safe pizza, and I hate kids having soda.  Ugh.

I plan to fight fire and have a safe pizza she likes delivered during the class time, lol! 

becca 6/6/08

QuoteThinking of the scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High where Spicoli has pizza delivered to class.  "Having some pizza, learnin' about Cuba!"

CMdeux 6/6/08

Quote'Because I'm here..... and you're here.... I guess that makes it OUR time.'        LOVE that scene.

Do it... Do it... Do it!!!

becca 6/6/08

QuoteThe teachers hate offerring a *choice* on a pizza day thing, because they all want something other than what they said.  So, I will very much enjoy that dd gets an entire pizza delivered that is her favorite! 

I am doing it(though Imight hand deliver it to give the teacher a huge grin).  Trust me. 

LOL.  I tried very hard to find a clip on youtube od the pizza scene in the movie. 

ajasfolks2 6/6/08

Quote
becca --

I'm sticking the UT link you found in here -- it may be a repeat, but no problema!  It's great.  THANKS!


http://health.utah.gov/hearthighway/pdfs/RewardsKids.pdf

ajasfolks2 6/15/08

QuoteLinking to conversation in OT that relates . . . .

http://allergy.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=2693&start=1

<Mod Note:  Above thread is in OT at old place & is titled Random Thought About Food in Schools begun 2/2/08 by now-deleted member.  It has some good reading and some hard-hitting questions and some venting.  Go, read, think, grow.>



ajasfolks2   7/9/2008

QuoteI don't think this link is here, but I may be wrong.
Hope it's helpful!

http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/what/communities/faq.html

Member name Deleted 8/2/08

Quoteajas, these are awesome!

ajasfolks2  10/4/2008

QuoteAnother related topic here:

http://allergy.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=613&start=1

<Mod Note -- above link is to thread titled Halloween Treat Bags: Possible alternatives! by ajasfolks2  Oct. 2007.  Content not here.>



ajasfolks2  12/4/2008

QuoteNOt sure if this link is here -- good document.

http://www.gcsny.org/District/AtoZ/Documents/HealthySnacks.pdf

ajasfolks2   12/4/2008

Quote from: 13 post_id=149034 date=1228413797Linking to current discussion in Schools:

http://allergy.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=7845&start=1

<Mod Note:  Above link is to thread titled Working toward FOOD FREE classrooms: Using everything at your disposal by ajasfolks2 11/24/08.  Content not here yet.>


End Page 3

Begin Page 2, original thread

Nutfreemom 2/13/08

Quote

QuoteJust want to say: My pet peeve is the Pizza Hut Book-It program!
Hate it  , hate it  , hate it !

Me too, made my ds cry!!  The teacher wanted to use the kids' coupons to have a pizza party at school. They wanted him to go to another room while the rest of the class had the party. A$$holes!!

~E, I think I have a few good links. Have to go digging.

Triciasmom 2/13/08

QuoteI think the public school here set a district-wide ban on handing out food... or at least junk food... as rewards or treats.  It is their war on childhood obesity, I think.

I just know that the ladies at the district office tried to offer my kids candy, saying that they weren't supposed to because of school policies, but it would be okay if I said so.  I managed to not lose my temper.   

As for that pizza party... that is just absolutely appalling.  Talk about cruelty and exclusion.   

Guest linking 2/13/08

QuoteRelates to this thread too & links there:

http://allergy.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=2528

<Mod note:  above link is thread Food Free Classroom Celebrations started by Chicago in 01/2008.  Content not here yet>

Guest linking 2/13/08

Quote from: 0 post_id=50226 date=1202933709ONe more --

http://allergy.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=2153

<Mod Note:  Above linked thread is Yet another school district bans junk food, : Crawford Central School district in Pennsylvania started by lilpig in Jan 20008.  Content not here yet>




lakeswmr 2/13/08

Quotehttp://www.alfiekohn.org/books/pbr.htm

check out Alfie Kohn, Punished by Rewards and other books and articles on this topic.

Of course, not everyone in education agrees with him but the evidence is there that rewards have negative effects.

ajasfolks2 4/8/08

QuoteQuick bump for Gail -- is this the one you are looking for?

Member name Deleted 4/8/08

QuoteI have 3 non-food reward lists I can email to anyone....I think they are in the links above.

Here's one more:
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic4110.htm

ajasfolks2   4/10/08

QuoteNOt sure if this one is listed here, or is a form of one of the others:

http://abss.k12.nc.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/32236/File/curriculum/constructive_rewards.pdf?sessionid=0544

ajasfolks2   4/10/08

QuoteOne more & I'm outta time . . .

http://www.nationalguidelines.org/guideline.cfm?guideNum=5-10

Gail 4/10/08

Quote

QuoteQuick bump for Gail -- is this the one you are looking for?

Yes.  Thank you, ladies. 

nutfreemom 5/1/08

QuoteJust started reading
"The Fattening of America: How the Economy Makes Us Eat, If It Matters, and What to Do About It"

by Eric A. Finkelstein and Laurie Zuckerman.

There's a whole section about childhood obesity and school.

ajasfolks2 5/1/08

QuoteThank you for the new book tip!


FOOD FREE CLASSROOMS FOR ALL!!

Mfamom 5/2/08

Quote

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QuoteJust want to say: My pet peeve is the Pizza Hut Book-It program!

Hate it  , hate it  , hate it !

Me too, made my ds cry!!  The teacher wanted to use the kids' coupons to have a pizza party at school. They wanted him to go to another room while the rest of the class had the party. A$$holes!!

~E, I think I have a few good links. Have to go digging.

It boggles my mind how any educator can be okay with leaving out a child from his/her class for an activity.  What the heck is wrong with our educators? 

Nutfreemom 5/2/08

Quote

Quote

Quote

QuoteJust want to say: My pet peeve is the Pizza Hut Book-It program!

Hate it  , hate it  , hate it !

Me too, made my ds cry!!  The teacher wanted to use the kids' coupons to have a pizza party at school. They wanted him to go to another room while the rest of the class had the party. A$$holes!!

~E, I think I have a few good links. Have to go digging.

It boggles my mind how any educator can be okay with leaving out a child from his/her class for an activity.  What the heck is wrong with our educators? 

Not to get too off track here, but DH saw that *itch this weekend. We were in the park lining up for the opening day parade, and she was talking to one of our coaches. She said "Hello, Mr. X, how are you?", and he said "I'm peanut-free!". 

END of Page 2

Follow on posts, PAGE 1 Original Thread

Some older links may be broken.  We'll work to find replacements as we can.  Please feel free to note a broken link and add replacement if you've found!  Thanks so much!!


Arkadia 10/9/2007

Quotehttp://www.shearonforschools.com/gold_star_junkies.htm

my favorite quote:

"In America, accepting the premise that extrinsic motivation doesn't work is the equivalent of treason."

General Disclaimer: I am not offering advice in any manner or form.  Listen to your conscience.  I do not guarantee the accuracy, currentness, content, or applicability of the link in this post. IMMV.

Mezzo 10/9/2007

QuoteHere's an abstract from a JAMA article on food incentives in middle school being linking with obesity:
http://pubs.ama-assn.org/media/2005a/1205.dtl

Many state departments of education have the same wording on their online brochures about non-food rewards: "There are many disadvantages to using food as rewards in the classroom...."  But they're all these PDF files that I can't copy the web addresses of, somehow.  There's obviously a common source they're all using. I tried the U.S. Dept. of Ed., but I didn't find it there.

Edited by ajasfolks2 to include the latest link for full .pdf to above article

Schoolwide Food Practices Are Associated
With Body Mass Index in Middle School Students
  http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/159/12/1111

Momcat 10/9/2007

Quote from: 45 post_id=7364 date=1191946510Just want to say: My pet peeve is the Pizza Hut Book-It program!

Hate it  , hate it  , hate it !

ajasfolks2 10/9/2007

QuoteJust yesterday had our son's "PA SAFETY PLAN" tested again . . . and it failed on 2 fronts (safety and inclusion):

Pep rally with class/grade cheering sections.  Winning class/grade (our son's) got the (nonfood) Spirit Stick.  ALSO "won" a bucket of candy, brought into the peanut-free, nut-free classroom.  NON-APPROVED, UNSAFE candy.  Teacher then handed it out to the students one-by-one as they went out the door yesterday, by letting the kids reach in and take some.  She covered the bucket when it was our son's turn and shook her head no.

When we (DH & I both in car for pick up yesterday) picked kids up, this was the VERY FIRST thing son told us. 

Went home & DH immediately called school admin.

Bottom line, they still don't "get it". 

Meeting with all parties tomorrow.  Again.

Please don't quote -- may feel need to edit in next few hours.

<ajasfolks2 gives her permission to quote: 3/12/2013>



guest 10/9/2007

QuoteIs this helpful? It is a Wellness Policy in Maryland.

http://www.hcpss.org/board/policies/9090.pdf

Mfamom 10/9/2007

QuoteWhat about the fact that rewards don't really work anyway....Remember Momma Bear's Gold Star Junkies link? 

Ds's first grade teacher tried the "behavior chart" with rewards at the end of a week, month etc.  Guess what?  didn't work. 

Plus, who wants to correlate eating with rewards?  I prefer the idea that people do things because they either:
Should do it
Are Required to do it
If you don't do it, you will receive a punishment.

Sorry, kids these days seem to feel they deserve a reward or compensation for nearly EVERYTHING they do at this point.  Unfortunately, seems that food is often involved. 

Our school has not used food as a reward in the 5 years we've been there.  However, my sil says her daughter's class for kindergarden received coupons for freebies at dairy queen baskin robbins etc.  She said that they are given candy when they fill up their "good behavior" charts.  I was appauled.

Kids need to to things because they are expected and required to do them.  Kids do not need to eat rewards....

Our almost finished 504 says no food rewards for anyone. 

Additionally districts are trying to meet wellness guidelines and trying to fight obesity in american children.  Then, we're going to turn around and reward them with food???   

ajasfolks2 10/9/2007

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Our almost finished 504 says no food rewards for anyone.   

Someday, I believe even some of the really "against us" (these are my rights) parents on this will realize the errors of their thinking and that FOOD REWARDS should have been stopped long before, for the health and character development of all.

Thanks, MFAmom -- the Goldstar info is printed out & on top of what we carry in tomorrow.  Trying to pare down what we take in, but maybe not.  MAYBE a 4" thick file folder filled with printed info supporting our position on this is the WEIGHT we need.  (Imagining Ronald Reagan during a speech/pres address thumping down the gimongus bound-something budget??  What was it?  Will have to Google, cannot recall at moment.  Stress induced memory loss.)

Maybe on the VERY top of the information heap needs to be a print out of the "In memory" thread.

. . . I just need to add links here myself . . . probably in the middle of the night when I seem to do my best search  link work.  LOL!        

~ thanks to all!  Keep 'em coming!!

becca 10/9/2007

QuoteSee page 16 of this.  http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/allergy.pdf

It just very simply recommends considering non-food rewards. 

PinkPoodle

Quotehttp://www.yaleruddcenter.org/home.aspx

They will email you studies if you request them.

Nutternomore 10/10/2007

QuoteThere are several good links here under the Improve School Foods section.

http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/policy_options.html#ImproveSchoolFoods

<2 posts omitted, did not make sense due to other deletions by members.>


ajasfolks2 2/13/2008

QuoteRe-raising to add these links so I don't lose them & in hopes they may be useful for others.

Some apply to in-class rewards.  Others apply to food in classroom in general.  Some are obesity-related.  All kind of fit here for now.


My current fav at the moment:
Schoolwide Food Practices Are Associated With Body Mass Index in Middle School Students
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/159/12/1111?ck=nck 


Others, in no particular order & some may be repeats -- doing some computer housekeeping & didn't want to lose any:


http://www.ohioaap.org/softdrinks.htm
(above link no good -- need new one Sept2011)
Above link is I *think* the same article as link immediately below.


http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;113/1/152.pdf


http://mws.mcallen.isd.tenet.edu/_pdfs/food/using_candy_as_reward.pdf


http://nature.berkeley.edu/cwh/PDFs/news/latimes_candy_9.27.03.pdf


http://www.mothering.com/discussions/archive/index.php/t-742364.html


http://www.teachersfirst.com/weeklyq/archive-list.cfm?id=118


http://health.utah.gov/hearthighway/pdfs/RewardsKids.pdf


http://www.apfed.org/downloads/Guide_to_Celebrating_Without_Food.pdf

back to my self-imposed break.

Member name Deleted  2/13/2008

Quoteoooh, I really like your personal fave also. Here's a snippet-

Results The mean number of food practices permitted by a school was 3 (range, 0-7). The most prevalent food practices were the use of food as incentives and rewards (69%) and in classroom fundraising (56%). Body mass index of the students increased 10% for every additional food practice permitted in their school (P<.03).

Conclusions Schoolwide food practices that supported frequent snacking and the consumption of foods and beverages high in calories and low in nutrients by students throughout the school day were common and adversely associated with body mass index of the students. Prevention of overweight in childhood must include attention to the nutrition integrity of schools, and school nutrition policies that consistently support and promote healthy dietary practices among young adolescents are urgently needed.

End Page 1, original thread

Link to original thread & follow ons -- will try to get thread content here later today:

http://allergy.hyperboards.com/action/view_topic/topic_id/564

Opening Post

10/09/2007
ajasfolks2

QuoteIt would be most appreciated if we could get all of our known links to publications & websites that address this topic and provide useful information as to why this is an unwise, unhealthy policy, as well as even discriminatory against the students who cannot safely have these "rewards".  Also link to those publications that consider and discuss the character-building (or, damaging) aspect of rewarding with food &/or over-rewarding.

So, from whatever angle, it would be great to have these resources grouped here.


I'll be back to post links as I can too.

Also, feel free to post your own words as to how you have made the argument (successfullyl or otherwise) to teachers &/or administraors for removing food as a reward or incentive in the classroom and school environment.


Thanks everybody!

~end