NationStates Jolt Archive

School bans birthday cake

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Children in a New Zealand school have been banned from bringing cakes to share on their birthdays, due to new government healthy eating guidelines.

Pupils at Oteha Valley primary school north of Auckland have been told they are allowed to celebrate their birthdays, but the cake must stay at home, the New Zealand Herald newspaper reported.

The Ministry of Education has been on a fat-busting crusade, introducing sweeping guidelines against unhealthy food in New Zealand schools.

Oteha Valley has a large number of pupils born in September and October, and there can be up to four cakes a week in some classes, principal Megan Bowden told the Herald.

It had gotten to the point where parents thought they were required to provide a cake for their child's birthday.

The school has advised parents in a newsletter to stop sending cakes to school from the next term.

A Ministry of Education spokesman told the Herald the government guidelines only applied to food sold on the premises, and schools did not need to monitor food brought in from outside.

Linkage (http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSWEL14647920080404?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews)

So generalites, do you think they're going overboard?

So generalites, do you think they're going overboard?
Hmph, they can eat as much as they can when they get home anyway...

Why September and October? *counts back nine months* AHA!!!! :D

They be stealing my cake!

A bit over the top in my opinion. What monster bans cake?!

seems like an OK rule to me.

They be stealing my cake!

A bit over the top in my opinion. What monster bans cake?!

But the Children, please think of the Children!

Yea, it's totally going overboard. Healthy eating starts at home, not at school.

Let the kids bring the cake, but not for eating. :)

Why doesn't the government try to ban fun next, I hear that's unhealthy.

I'd like to see what monster would confiscate a child's birthday cake (though why on Earth you would share a birthday cake is beyond me)

in b4 Antoinette reference

How about the teacher confiscates the cake and places it at the top of a rock wall or something? So the kids have to work for their birthday cake? Everyone wins!

Click Stand;13587674']Why doesn't the government try to ban fun next, I hear that's unhealthy.
Because banning fun is fun too, and that's unhealthy too.

Seems fine to me. If the parents want to give the children cake do it out of school, it's not hard.

Let the kids bring the cake, but not for eating. :)

To throw in teachers faces! :D


But then there would be lawsuits and arrests. :(

How about the teacher confiscates the cake and places it at the top of a rock wall or something? So the kids have to work for their birthday cake? Everyone wins!

I rather like the way you think.

Click Stand;13587674']Why doesn't the government try to ban fun next, I hear that's unhealthy.

But the government hasn't banned cake, so well done for missing that...:rolleyes:

To throw in teachers faces! :D


But then there would be lawsuits and arrests. :(

Only if the candles are lit. :p

But the government hasn't banned cake, so well done for missing that...:rolleyes:

You forgot the slippery cake slope, first in our schools, next in public bathrooms.

seems like an OK rule to me.

Seems fine to me. If the parents want to give the children cake do it out of school, it's not hard.

What harm is going to come from kids eating cake anyways? If they're going to be fat, then I doubt the 8 hours they spend at school is going to make them fat, it's probably the 16 hours at home that'll make them fat.

Only if the candles are lit. :p

Or if a child misunderstands and instead of cake brings in rocks...lots and lots of rocks. ;)

What harm is going to come from kids eating cake anyways? If they're going to be fat, then I doubt the 8 hours they spend at school is going to make them fat, it's probably the 16 hours at home that'll make them fat.

In which case them not being able to eat cake for 8 hours isn't a problem then is it?

Or if a child misunderstands and instead of cake brings in rocks...lots and lots of rocks. ;)
How 'bout the children bring a cake knife?

How 'bout the children bring a cake knife?

Now that's just being obvious!

Or if a child misunderstands and instead of cake brings in rocks...lots and lots of rocks. ;)

Or yellowcake (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowcake)

Or if a child misunderstands and instead of cake brings in rocks...lots and lots of rocks. ;)

oooh I eaten rocks in years! (oddly wiki doesn't have an article:()

Now that's just being obvious!
Sorry. Didn't realize we were supposed to be discreet...

Sorry. Didn't realize we were supposed to be discreet...

You'd be a terrible homocidal child! :p

Cake is a vile substance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0GxUxKZdHk).. it's about time it was banned.

Ah, Brasseye. Excellent programme!

What harm is going to come from kids eating cake anyways? If they're going to be fat, then I doubt the 8 hours they spend at school is going to make them fat, it's probably the 16 hours at home that'll make them fat.

its in school.

what about the fat kid whose mom banns cake? what about the diabetic kid? what about the kid with horrible food allergies who cant eat anything that might kill him?

those kids have to watch all the other kids eat birthday cake. they cant stay home like they might if invited to a birthday party.

Click Stand]Why doesn't the government try to ban fun next, I hear that's unhealthy.

But the government hasn't banned cake, so well done for missing that...:rolleyes:

I believe the comment was about the ban in school, and was using the same understood "in school" in refering to the ban on fun. "So well done for missing that...:rolleyes:"

Well given how many fat useless kids there are in new zealand, i say all it does is slow down them eating till they explode

but then, it that a real survey, or just taken from a school that has a high count of pacific islanders - its a fact THEY go caveman and regard body size as a symbol of power in their culture - the fatter they are the more powerful they are among their kind apparently

Personally, I do think that the school has gone overboard, and even 85% of respondents on a Herald online poll agreed that it was ridiculuous. In saying that though, that school tends to be the exception; when I was at school, and even with my nephew and niece at school, there is no tendency for birthday cake to come to school with them.

Activity level tends to play a much larger role in whether or not a child is overweight. So I am much more concerned about schools that ban physical activity do to safety (i.e. please don't sue us) reasons.

In which case them not being able to eat cake for 8 hours isn't a problem then is it?

It's just pointless, and beside they can always bring in cupcakes to distribute before school.

its in school.

what about the fat kid whose mom banns cake? what about the diabetic kid? what about the kid with horrible food allergies who cant eat anything that might kill him?

those kids have to watch all the other kids eat birthday cake. they cant stay home like they might if invited to a birthday party.

Oh boo hoo, what about the kids who aren't celebrating a birthday that day? We must protect everyone's feeling and make sure no one gets hurt, because it's not like life will let them down! Oops....

Activity level tends to play a much larger role in whether or not a child is overweight. So I am much more concerned about schools that ban physical activity do to safety (i.e. please don't sue us) reasons.

I agree.

I know some classes in some schools have a once a month party for everyone who had a birthday then. One cake a month isn't so bad.

Oh boo hoo, what about the kids who aren't celebrating a birthday that day? We must protect everyone's feeling and make sure no one gets hurt, because it's not like life will let them down! Oops....

Which is why you are arguing against life letting them down.

Activity level tends to play a much larger role in whether or not a child is overweight.

and the hyperactivity?

So I am much more concerned about schools that ban physical activity do to safety (i.e. please don't sue us) reasons.

actually they limit the kids PE time because its an easy subject to drop for more SATS time (which has nothing to do with any bickering about safety)

Which is why you are arguing against life letting them down.

Hell I say let them down, let them down as early as Elementry School, because all it does is show that life is going to suck, and if you really want to achieve the things that'll make you happy, then you better realize that you're going to have alot (and I mean alot) of disappointments and let down in life, and that's just how it is. The earlier these kids prepare for life's let downs and disappointments the better prepared they'll be.

Let the kids bring the cake, but not for eating. :)

So you're saying they can have their cake but not eat it to?

Does that mean they CAN eat their cake if they don't have it?

Seriously, ridiculous rule.

its in school.

what about the fat kid whose mom banns cake? what about the diabetic kid? what about the kid with horrible food allergies who cant eat anything that might kill him?

those kids have to watch all the other kids eat birthday cake. they cant stay home like they might if invited to a birthday party.

What about them? So what if they can't eat cake? Are they going to be scarred for life because they couldn't eat birthday cake? No. There aren't many kids like that anyway. The birthday kid could always bring something for sickly kids or the fatties anyway.

Most of the times parents tell teachers in before they bring in cake to class so the teacher can plan around, and so the parents can bring something else for the fatties and diabetic.

This is a stupid law.

Hell I say let them down, let them down as early as Elementry School, because all it does is show that life is going to suck, and if you really want to achieve the things that'll make you happy, then you better realize that you're going to have alot (and I mean alot) of disappointments and let down in life, and that's just how it is. The earlier these kids prepare for life's let downs and disappointments the better prepared they'll be.

So why are you arguing so vehemently against what the school did?

its in school.

what about the fat kid whose mom banns cake? what about the diabetic kid? what about the kid with horrible food allergies who cant eat anything that might kill him?

So no more food in the lunch room, huh? Someone might not be able to eat it.

seems like an OK rule to me.

You are a terrible, terrible person.

So why are you arguing so vehemently against what the school did?

Because its an idiot rule, and the Diabetic Kid or the kid with the allergies can either sit there with no cake, (thus proving that life isn't fair) or they can make their own 'special' cake that they can eat (realizing that life sucks and doing something about it.)

and the hyperactivity?

actually they limit the kids PE time because its an easy subject to drop for more SATS time (which has nothing to do with any bickering about safety)

No, I am talking about banning physical activity on liability grounds.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10406720

I like cake, but i don't think i've ever had it in school. There was usually alot of embarassment as your birthday song was sung by everyone in the school hall (this was a while ago mind), and the birthday thumps weren't very pleasant either. So i'm not bothered if they stop the cake, it's not as if there'l be a massive cake riot in town, or a cake war.

New Zealand bans a lot of things. wasn't it on the Daily Show that they banned the use of political figures in satire, or some such? It that is indeed the case, then :upyours:

This particular law however isn't nearly so bad, though I don't know if childhood obesity is the problem their that it is in the Americas.

New Zealand bans a lot of things. wasn't it on the Daily Show that they banned the use of political figures in satire, or some such? It that is indeed the case, then :upyours:

This particular law however isn't nearly so bad, though I don't know if childhood obesity is the problem their that it is in the Americas.

Seriously? Wow. If they take their politics that seriously that satire is forbidden... that ain't too pleasant looking.

In b4 Portal reference.

So no more food in the lunch room, huh? Someone might not be able to eat it.

gee kids who cant eat school provided lunch still get to eat lunch eh?

there is no good reason to bring cake to school. you can recognize a kids birthday without sweets.

We weren't even allowed to give the preschoolers candy canes this year..

I used to smuggle 2 dozen donuts into class for everyone every few weeks, almost got caught once! They would have sent me to a Turkish prison. It's true.

We weren't even allowed to give the preschoolers candy canes this year..

I used to smuggle 2 dozen donuts into class for everyone every few weeks, almost got caught once! They would have sent me to a Turkish prison. It's true.

you work at a pre school?

So they can no longer eat brown bread?

Fuck. This really makes me want to use the emoticon. :upyours:

you work at a pre school?Methinks we should put Ruffy back into his cage.

School bans birthday cake



Linkage (http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSWEL14647920080404?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews)

So generalites, do you think they're going overboard?

nope, cake is evil. People really need to get over associating every occasion with food.

nope, cake is evil. People really need to get over associating every occasion with food.

what should they replace it with?

what should they replace it with?

nothing. celebration does not require food. emotional eating is making people fat

I'm happy! I want candy!

I'm depressed! I want candy!

It's my birthday! give me cake!

I got married! give me cake!

It's a holiday! give me gluttony!

it's stupid. I hate food.

So generalites, do you think they're going overboard?
Yes, of course. Laws should be implemented where absolutely necessary, and otherwise avoided. It's not up to the state to rear children, and there are many problems that won't be solved by autofire legislation anyway. It's sounds as though New Zealand and Britain both need to learn the same lesson.

nothing. celebration does not require food. emotional eating is making people fat

I'm happy! I want candy!

I'm depressed! I want candy!

It's my birthday! give me cake!

I got married! give me cake!

It's a holiday! give me gluttony!

it's stupid. I hate food.

um, i see.

School bans birthday cake



Linkage (http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSWEL14647920080404?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews)

So generalites, do you think they're going overboard?

Yes, and they are doing that in the US too. And they are asking for fruit and veggie platters.

what should they replace it with?

applause

Yea, it's totally going overboard. Healthy eating starts at home, not at school.

Normally I'd agree, but I don't know of any parents who provide their kids with cake anywhere from once to four times a week year-round. Even if kids are eating healthfully at home, it's easy to see how this practice could undermine those good habits.

nothing. celebration does not require food. emotional eating is making people fat

I'm happy! I want candy!

I'm depressed! I want candy!

It's my birthday! give me cake!

I got married! give me cake!

It's a holiday! give me gluttony!

it's stupid. I hate food.

This is why I celebrate all special occasions by drinking. ;)

....in b4 Antoinette reference

Let them eat cake!

:D

Or yellowcake (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowcake)

But then the school would get demolished. With bombs! Not a demolition company! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMhMA8GlPUw)

School bans birthday cake



Linkage (http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSWEL14647920080404?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews)

So generalites, do you think they're going overboard?

Oh no, this is just plain retarded. Poor kids, they´re just celebrating their birthdays and now school won´t allow them to bring cake to celebrate with their classmates?! That´s frigged up, seriously, healthy guidelines be damned!:mad:

School bans birthday cake



Linkage (http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSWEL14647920080404?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews)

So generalites, do you think they're going overboard?
Probably a good outcome, but the fact that a law was necessary doesn't speak to well to the Kiwi's common sense.

Anyone remember a Seinfeld episode that involved cake? I think Elaine was "forced" into eating cake at her job day after day... The last flying job I had was like that. Someone was alway getting promoted, re-enlisted, etc, and each occasion required a mess-hall cake. Plenty of lard, sugar, and other tasty things.

We didn't need all that cake and neither do a bunch of grade school kids.

you work at a pre school?
No, but there's a daycare at my tech school (there's an OCC program that helps take care of the kids), and all the classes give the kids gifts and stuff for all the holidays. We had to give them carrots. :rolleyes:
Methinks we should put Ruffy back into his cage.
:(
what should they replace it with?

Don't pay attention to Smunkee, she's a poopybitchhead who's just jealous that she can only have crappy gluten free foods. :gundge:

We didn't need all that cake and neither do a bunch of grade school kids.

Need has nothing to do with it. Like someone suggested earlier, one day a month to commemorate everyone's birthday that fell during that month would not be that bad.

Keep the kids moving the rest of the month and they would be in much better shape than just cutting out the ebil junk food.

I don't see fruit salad replacing a birthday cake anytime soon.
And putting candles in salad doesn't work very well! :p

seems like an OK rule to me.
o.o Aren't you the same person who didn't consider the fatty food TAX an OK rule? I think at least that rule was a bit more practical; have it so they pay more of the hospital bill that's going to result from their eating of junk food...

As for the subject at hand, what difference does it make whether the child eats the cake at home or at school? It's not like sugar molecules just gather together to say "we're in the child's house, quick, summon some microscopic fairies to take us out of the child's body!"

its in school.

what about the fat kid whose mom banns cake? what about the diabetic kid? what about the kid with horrible food allergies who cant eat anything that might kill him?

those kids have to watch all the other kids eat birthday cake. they cant stay home like they might if invited to a birthday party.
1. The notion that diabetics can't eat cake is a somewhat questionable assumption. It at least depends on what diabetes management program you're on. The one I'm on now you just have however much carbohydrate and adjust the insulin accordingly, and with cake, sometimes the carb count would be given, though other times you'd have to guess it and granted sometimes the guess isn't very accurate. In another program, one I used to be on, people have set insulin and are supposed to eat within a certain range of carbohydrate at each meal, in which case they should avoid unscheduled carbohydrate. However...

2. When I was on that program, I remember once when there was a fundraising cake auction at school, everyone around me was eating cake and I didn't mind it, if anything it made me feel proud that I wasn't eating junk food. Now granted, at the time, I wasn't a little kid but a teenager, but if age is relevant it shouldn't be, because the reasons themselves are what matter. Thing is, with diabetes, we're already disadvantaged WAY beyond seeing others have cake. We have to either take needles several times a day or wear an IV, depending on which program you're on. Worse still, we have to keep our blood sugar levels within a certain range... a job easier said than done, one we get no vacation from, and one that we'll inevitably fail at every now and then. When the blood sugar goes too low, there's a risk of passing out and dying. If the blood sugar stays too high for too long, we'll go blind.

Seeing others eat cake is like adding a drop of water to a flood.

do you think they're going overboard?

No. People are fat and it is disgusting. If you want to eat cake, do it on your own time.

gee kids who cant eat school provided lunch still get to eat lunch eh?

I'm continuing on the food allergy analogy whereby if someone in the class can't eat the cake due to allergies or diabetes then no one is allowed to have cake. Therefore no one is allowed to eat any sort of food because someone may be allergic to it.

Need has nothing to do with it. Like someone suggested earlier, one day a month to commemorate everyone's birthday that fell during that month would not be that bad.

Hell no. They tried this in an episode of The Office and it only caused more problems.

New Zealand bans a lot of things. wasn't it on the Daily Show that they banned the use of political figures in satire, or some such? It that is indeed the case, then :upyours:

This particular law however isn't nearly so bad, though I don't know if childhood obesity is the problem their that it is in the Americas.

Um, I don't recall that ban; we still have political figures in satire the last time I checked, particularly on Facelift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYX-2bvKGko; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYaeS7SSLJQ).

Childhood obesity is bad, but not as bad as in the Americas. Also, the area that the school is in doesn't have the socio-economic characteristics where obesity is more common

Um, I don't recall that ban; we still have political figures in satire the last time I checked, particularly on Facelift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYX-2bvKGko; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYaeS7SSLJQ).

Childhood obesity is bad, but not as bad as in the Americas. Also, the area that the school is in doesn't have the socio-economic characteristics where obesity is more common
Capitalism causes such problems as obesity, unemployment and lack of a sense of direction in life, plus overproduction in such goods - is the problem.

Capitalism causes such problems as obesity, unemployment and lack of a sense of direction in life, plus overproduction in such goods - is the problem.

Obesity has only been around for the last two decades, so capitalism cannot be blamed. In New Zealand, we had no unemployment in the 1950s and 1960s, so capitalism cannot be blamed for unemployment. Overproduction doesn't happen in capitalism; the market eventually forces the prices to equilibrium.

Of course Andaras, Communism causes such problems as a heck of a lot of dead people.....

I'm continuing on the food allergy analogy whereby if someone in the class can't eat the cake due to allergies or diabetes then no one is allowed to have cake. Therefore no one is allowed to eat any sort of food because someone may be allergic to it.
Actually, come to think of it maybe I should reconsider my approach, even if I don't think how someone can't eat cake while everyone around him/her is would be much, if someone is severely allergic to cake then traces of it in the air might spread to them and, well, better safe than sorry.

o.o Aren't you the same person who didn't consider the fatty food TAX an OK rule? I think at least that rule was a bit more practical; have it so they pay more of the hospital bill that's going to result from their eating of junk food...

As for the subject at hand, what difference does it make whether the child eats the cake at home or at school? It's not like sugar molecules just gather together to say "we're in the child's house, quick, summon some microscopic fairies to take us out of the child's body!"

yes i am that person.

i didnt say that schools MUST ban cake, i said its a good idea.

why?

as i explained, there are too many kids these days who have to sit out multiple celebrations. there are too many kids who wont get a mini-party on their birthday because their parents dont bring cakes. parents shouldnt have to worry that their kids are being fed something they shouldnt be eating. as smunkee explained, its not a good idea to link every happy time with sweets, there are far better ways to make a small acknowlegment of it.

its school. there is no reason to have birthday parties at school. no kid misses out on something important if they dont get to eat a piece of cake at school.

when a kid eats cake at home or at a friends birthday party, its under the parents control. the diabetic kid doesnt go to the party or there is an arrangement for how that is to be dealt with. the food nazi parents never send their kids to an uncontrolled party. the allergic kids arent put at risk. the fat kid isnt tempted with 4 cakes a week (supposing that the parents are trying to keep him from sweets)

in the balance, its a good idea.

I'm continuing on the food allergy analogy whereby if someone in the class can't eat the cake due to allergies or diabetes then no one is allowed to have cake. Therefore no one is allowed to eat any sort of food because someone may be allergic to it.

i dont know what is done in nz but it is a good idea for school lunch programs to eliminate those foods that can result in sudden death --like peanuts.

i dont know what is done in nz but it is a good idea for school lunch programs to eliminate those foods that can result in sudden death --like peanuts.

We don't have school lunch programs in New Zealand; students bring their own lunch to school, or purchase food at a canteen (aka tuck shop). In fact, the government rules were about schools purchased at these canteens, since the canteens typically sold pies, sweets and other high fat/sugar items.

Obesity has only been around for the last two decades, so capitalism cannot be blamed. In New Zealand, we had no unemployment in the 1950s and 1960s, so capitalism cannot be blamed for unemployment. Overproduction doesn't happen in capitalism; the market eventually forces the prices to equilibrium.

Of course Andaras, Communism causes such problems as a heck of a lot of dead people.....

.....and hardly any food. *nod*:)

I'm continuing on the food allergy analogy whereby if someone in the class can't eat the cake due to allergies or diabetes then no one is allowed to have cake. Therefore no one is allowed to eat any sort of food because someone may be allergic to it.

a considerate teacher might ban the top 8 allergens if she has children in her room that are affected adversely by them. Even if a child isn't deathly allergic, it's problems waiting to happen. My children attend a class once a week that is food related, the teacher was able to accommodate them mostly by not making food that would make them sick, the first Tuesday of the month they cook food with allergens which means my children and 4 other children can't participate. It's not ideal but it's better than nothing. Food culture in America is ridiculous if you can eat/breathe/touch whatever you want you don't realize how debilitating having a food allergy or intolerance can be. Having poison in your classroom 3 to 4 times a week isn't only isolating it's dangerous. The food culture is ridiculous even aside from allergens, I've just noticed it more since we can't have 90% of the food that people eat where we live.

Hell no. They tried this in an episode of The Office and it only caused more problems.

I'm sorry, but basing your decision on an episode of The Office is ... and I don't mean to attack you personally... but it's rather non-sensible.

They be stealing my cake!

A bit over the top in my opinion. What monster bans cake?!

A cured fatty?

Capitalism causes such problems as obesity, unemployment and lack of a sense of direction in life, plus overproduction in such goods - is the problem.

Hahaha. Nice. Try a career as a stand up comedian. You'll be better as a comedian than a revolutionary.

No. People are fat and it is disgusting. If you want to eat cake, do it on your own time.

Fat people should walk more. Provided their overall health can support that. The famous Jarod would have lost nearly as much weight if he walked to McDonalds too.

For all you people who say, 'They can eat the cake at home, anyway.'. That's not the point. The point is whether or not it should be the government's business what your kid eats no matter where he/she is. It's laws and policies like these that attribute to the attitude of our latest generation of parents pointing their finger at the government and saying, 'How could you let this happen to my child?'. Well. . .How could /you/ let it happen to your child? Your children are who you raise them to be. Short of monitoring them 24/7, they're going to do things you don't want them to do, but you have to bring them up with the idea that they're doing the right thing because it's rewarding to have a sense of morality, not because they'll be punished for ignoring it.

The government is not a role model, and it is not a member of the family. It has no place in quandries of right/wrong. Its sole purpose is to provide organization and cooperation among a mass of people so we can live our lives safely the way we would like to live them.

For all you people who say, 'They can eat the cake at home, anyway.'. That's not the point. The point is whether or not it should be the government's business what your kid eats no matter where he/she is. It's laws and policies like these that attribute to the attitude of our latest generation of parents pointing their finger at the government and saying, 'How could you let this happen to my child?'. Well. . .How could /you/ let it happen to your child? Your children are who you raise them to be. Short of monitoring them 24/7, they're going to do things you don't want them to do, but you have to bring them up with the idea that they're doing the right thing because it's rewarding to have a sense of morality, not because they'll be punished for ignoring it.

The government is not a role model, and it is not a member of the family. It has no place in quandries of right/wrong. Its sole purpose is to provide organization and cooperation among a mass of people so we can live our lives safely the way we would like to live them.

and school's primary purpose is education, not celebrating birthdays, eat cake on your own time.

For all you people who say, 'They can eat the cake at home, anyway.'. That's not the point. The point is whether or not it should be the government's business what your kid eats no matter where he/she is. It's laws and policies like these that attribute to the attitude of our latest generation of parents pointing their finger at the government and saying, 'How could you let this happen to my child?'. Well. . .How could /you/ let it happen to your child? Your children are who you raise them to be. Short of monitoring them 24/7, they're going to do things you don't want them to do, but you have to bring them up with the idea that they're doing the right thing because it's rewarding to have a sense of morality, not because they'll be punished for ignoring it.

The government is not a role model, and it is not a member of the family. It has no place in quandries of right/wrong. Its sole purpose is to provide organization and cooperation among a mass of people so we can live our lives safely the way we would like to live them.

No no no.... don't you remember? To paraphrase the famous quote it takes government to raise a child.

and school's primary purpose is education, not celebrating birthdays, eat cake on your own time.

I have always concidered schools primary purpose included education in both traditional studies as well as socialization. Celebrating birthdays is just another way to help kids learn how to interact. Let them do it at school.

I have always concidered schools primary purpose included education in both traditional studies as well as socialization. Celebrating birthdays is just another way to help kids learn how to interact. Let them do it at school.

'socialization' is the biggest school myth ever.......but we won't go off topic.

when kids are testing at grade level and graduating literate then maybe you can waste time eating junk food, until then, don't you think they should focus on learning?

This is the one thing that I hate about what people think about schools. Schools are there to give your child the education that they are going to need for the rest of their lives, not to give them the compass that they need to actually find the right path for them.

That is the parent's responsibility.

When I have children, when they have a birthday, if the school tells them that they aren't allowed to take cupcakes with them to celebrate with their friends and classmates, well guess what? That school is going to lose the money that the state pays them because my child is a student there, and they will be going to another school.

It's the parent's job to teach healthy habits for their children. The day that it's no longer a parent's job is the day that the child turns 18 and is legally allowed to make those decisions for themselves.

It's time that Parents take responsibility for their children, and not pass it off to someone else.

This is the one thing that I hate about what people think about schools. Schools are there to give your child the education that they are going to need for the rest of their lives, not to give them the compass that they need to actually find the right path for them.

That is the parent's responsibility.

When I have children, when they have a birthday, if the school tells them that they aren't allowed to take cupcakes with them to celebrate with their friends and classmates, well guess what? That school is going to lose the money that the state pays them because my child is a student there, and they will be going to another school.

It's the parent's job to teach healthy habits for their children. The day that it's no longer a parent's job is the day that the child turns 18 and is legally allowed to make those decisions for themselves.

It's time that Parents take responsibility for their children, and not pass it off to someone else.

you would send your child to a school where learning is interrupted 3 or 4 days out of the 5 day week for cupcakes? do you care about your child's education at all?

you would send your child to a school where learning is interrupted 3 or 4 days out of the 5 day week for cupcakes? do you care about your child's education at all?

Whoa, don't you think you are exaggerating quite a bit? In my son's class, I know they are not "interrupted 3 or 4 days out of a 5 day week". More like 3 to 4 days out of a 6 week term.

They be stealing my cake!

A bit over the top in my opinion. What monster bans cake?!

http://cherrythian.com/images/cookiemonster.jpg?

think about it, the more kids are filling up on cake, the less of them will be behind the school buying his 'cookies' >.>

Whoa, don't you think you are exaggerating quite a bit? In my son's class, I know they are not "interrupted 3 or 4 days out of a 5 day week". More like 3 to 4 days out of a 6 week term.
the article said 3 or 4 days a week, the school where cake is being banned has interruptions 3 or 4 days a week, it's excessive. Can't they just have one cake the first Monday of each month?

besides school day cake parties are discriminatory to kids born during the summer break and over the winter holidays. ;)

the article said 3 or 4 days a week, the school where cake is being banned has interruptions 3 or 4 days a week, it's excessive. Can't they just have one cake the first Monday of each month?

besides school day cake parties are discriminatory to kids born during the summer break and over the winter holidays. ;)

3 or 4 days a week in October and September. I would be all for a cake on first monday of each month, even one with all the student and staff names on it who have birthdays in that month.

and could have on during the first week back from each of the breaks to cover those not otherwise covered. :rolleyes:


But the point is, government regulations banning eating cake during school is going too far. It doesn't do anything to address the problems it is supposed to address and it gives people a false sense of doing some good.

3 or 4 days a week in October and September. I would be all for a cake on first monday of each month, even one with all the student and staff names on it who have birthdays in that month.

and could have on during the first week back from each of the breaks to cover those not otherwise covered. :rolleyes:


But the point is, government regulations banning eating cake during school is going too far. It doesn't do anything to address the problems it is supposed to address and it gives people a false sense of doing some good.

far too many people seem way into this idea that kids need to be eating cake at school. if you want your kid to eat cake at school, send them to school with cake. its not the schools business to tell you what you can feed your kid for lunch.

it IS their business to decide whether or not to have all the kids fed cake brought into school by parents. if they find it unfair and disruptive, then their opinion is OK with me. no kid needs to have their birthday cake at school.

when kids are testing at grade level and graduating literate then maybe you can waste time eating junk food, until then, don't you think they should focus on learning?

Schools can/do focus on learning, but that shouldn't be all that happens there.

Let the kids bring the cake, but not for eating. :)

Yeah, just let'em stare at it while they do their arithmetic. Break their little minds.

far too many people seem way into this idea that kids need to be eating cake at school. if you want your kid to eat cake at school, send them to school with cake. its not the schools business to tell you what you can feed your kid for lunch.

it IS their business to decide whether or not to have all the kids fed cake brought into school by parents. if they find it unfair and disruptive, then their opinion is OK with me. no kid needs to have their birthday cake at school.

Again, we are not talking about need. People don't need a lot of things, but that doesn't mean they are bad things.

Eating cake at school does no harm. Sharing in a celebratory experience can do good.

So generalites, do you think they're going overboard?

fruitcake anyone?

the article said 3 or 4 days a week, the school where cake is being banned has interruptions 3 or 4 days a week, it's excessive. Can't they just have one cake the first Monday of each month?

besides school day cake parties are discriminatory to kids born during the summer break and over the winter holidays. ;)

Well I hardly doubt that for the entire 3-4 days they will be shoving their faces with cake.

It is more like maybe 10 minutes at the most they will be having a small celebration, and if you think that the kids are 100% of the time studying then you sir are sorely mistaken.

That is a good idea to have one cake at the beginning of the month.

The reasoning behind this wasn't because it distracted kids from learning, it was because the school thinks it will help them from being fat, and that is wrong, Social Engineering is wrong!

And yes my birthday is over the summer and the good thing about it was that you didn't have to supply a cake and you got some of every one's cake.

Again, we are not talking about need. People don't need a lot of things, but that doesn't mean they are bad things.

Eating cake at school does no harm. Sharing in a celebratory experience can do good.

thats odd. several people have talked about harm. that you choose to ignore that harm doesnt make it go away.

there is no need to ban birthdays. it can be celebrated without food.

Now to put forth my answer to my question...
While normally I'd say that it's a bit over the top, the article makes it clear that it has become a real problem (at least there). In addition I personally don't see any need for the kids to celebrate their birthday in school.

also see below for Smunkee's and Ash's responses.

far too many people seem way into this idea that kids need to be eating cake at school. if you want your kid to eat cake at school, send them to school with cake. its not the schools business to tell you what you can feed your kid for lunch.

it IS their business to decide whether or not to have all the kids fed cake brought into school by parents. if they find it unfair and disruptive, then their opinion is OK with me. no kid needs to have their birthday cake at school.

and school's primary purpose is education, not celebrating birthdays, eat cake on your own time.

far too many people seem way into this idea that kids need to be eating cake at school. if you want your kid to eat cake at school, send them to school with cake. its not the schools business to tell you what you can feed your kid for lunch.

it IS their business to decide whether or not to have all the kids fed cake brought into school by parents. if they find it unfair and disruptive, then their opinion is OK with me. no kid needs to have their birthday cake at school.

it's the food culture. People seem to think my kids are missing out on something by not being able to eat cookies and cakes. It's food people, it's for fueling your body.

"can she have a cookie?"
"no"
"it's just one cookie"
"she can't have a cookie"
"how about half a cookie?"
"no, it will make her really sick"
"she can't have a little bit of a cookie"
"would you like to drink a little bit of bleach?"
"oh, she can't have a cookie"
"that's what I've been saying"
"how sad!"
"it's fine. she can have other things"
"like what?"
"fruit"
"how horrible! I would just die! can't they do anything?!"
"you wouldn't die, it's a cookie, it's not important, it's a fucking cookie, and yes, they can do something, they can tell her what's making her sick and how to avoid it"
"it's so sad though! can she have cake on her birthday?"
"no"
"it's so sad! I would just die!'

:headbang:

it's inconvenient and often annoying and sometimes frustrating, but it's not sad that we can't have cake, it's annoying that people seem to think we need it. There are 10000 ways to celebrate something without food. And people wonder why 3/4 of Americans are fat.......we have an entitlement attitude when it comes to junk. Birthdays have nothing to do with cake. [/rant]

As far as 'what they do at school' yes, I know they don't learn 100% of the time, in fact growing up, we barely learned 50% of the time, there was a lot of useless fluff put and called "tradition". I'm not sure what should be going on at school besides learning. Socialization? can't you do that at home on your own time? That's what my kids do. A child's entire social life should not revolve around school, much like an adult's entire social life should not revolve around work. If the only time your kids get to "socialize" are between the hours of 8 and 3 on Monday through Friday, I worry that your children aren't going to know how to socialize when they grow up. I don't pay taxes btw for kids to "socialize" at school. I would rather at least half of them graduate literate, because the ones that don't cost me more in tax money and frustrate the hell out of me.......buy by golly! they need that cake!
[/second rant]

it's the food culture. People seem to think my kids are missing out on something by not being able to eat cookies and cakes. It's food people, it's for fueling your body.

"can she have a cookie?"
"no"
"it's just one cookie"
"she can't have a cookie"
"how about half a cookie?"
"no, it will make her really sick"
"she can't have a little bit of a cookie"
"would you like to drink a little bit of bleach?"
"oh, she can't have a cookie"
"that's what I've been saying"
"how sad!"
"it's fine. she can have other things"
"like what?"
"fruit"
"how horrible! I would just die! can't they do anything?!"
"you wouldn't die, it's a cookie, it's not important, it's a fucking cookie, and yes, they can do something, they can tell her what's making her sick and how to avoid it"
"it's so sad though! can she have cake on her birthday?"
"no"
"it's so sad! I would just die!'

:headbang:

it's inconvenient and often annoying and sometimes frustrating, but it's not sad that we can't have cake, it's annoying that people seem to think we need it. There are 10000 ways to celebrate something without food. And people wonder why 3/4 of Americans are fat.......we have an entitlement attitude when it comes to junk. Birthdays have nothing to do with cake. [/rant]

As far as 'what they do at school' yes, I know they don't learn 100% of the time, in fact growing up, we barely learned 50% of the time, there was a lot of useless fluff put and called "tradition". I'm not sure what should be going on at school besides learning. Socialization? can't you do that at home on your own time? That's what my kids do. A child's entire social life should not revolve around school, much like an adult's entire social life should not revolve around work. If the only time your kids get to "socialize" are between the hours of 8 and 3 on Monday through Friday, I worry that your children aren't going to know how to socialize when they grow up. I don't pay taxes btw for kids to "socialize" at school. I would rather at least half of them graduate literate, because the ones that don't cost me more in tax money and frustrate the hell out of me.......buy by golly! they need that cake!
[/second rant]

QFT

School bans birthday cake


So generalites, do you think they're going overboard?

Old new at my daughter's school, and no one really cares. Kids aren't allowed to bring junkfood to school, period. No chips, no pop, no cookies, nada. For birthdays, parents can send healthy snacks for the kids. No cakes, no chocolate muffins, and definitely nothing with even trace amounts of peanuts.

There are two girls in my daughter's class that have celiac's and most of the parents have had absolutely no problem finding this out and accomodating them when they send healthy treats.

Frankly I'm HAPPY that this is the policy. My kid eats broccoli and peas and carrots and beet greens at school...because she sees the other kids eating them. She wouldn't freaking touch it at home, or elsewhere otherwise.

I have always concidered schools primary purpose included education in both traditional studies as well as socialization. Celebrating birthdays is just another way to help kids learn how to interact. Let them do it at school.

Ugh, give me a break.

Another thing my daughter's school forbids? Bringing presents. Do you have any idea how many birthdays happen during the school year, just within one classroom? It's freaking ridiculous. If I bought a present for every single kid who was lucky enough to not have their birthday during the summer break, I'd be spending upwards of $400 a year, even going cheap. It's stupid.

If parents want to have birthday parties for their children on their own time, with cake and presents and what ever...great. You have no idea how much instructional time would be lost having mini-parties at school, especially in half-day Kindergarden.

For birthdays, there is a special birth-day centre in the classroom with a picture of the birthday girl or boy, the kids sing them Happy Birthday in the morning and they get to be centre-leader for the day. It's more than enough.

I'm sorry, but basing your decision on an episode of The Office is ... and I don't mean to attack you personally... but it's rather non-sensible.

I think your silliness detector may be broken. :p

Sad times :(

Birthday cake times are great times, and how is "how to fit a massive chunk of cake in your mouth all at once" not a valuable education?

Much better than repeating the eight times table over and over, when the people that get it get it the first time, and the rest don't. *sighs at primary school*

Ugh, give me a break.

Another thing my daughter's school forbids? Bringing presents. Do you have any idea how many birthdays happen during the school year, just within one classroom? It's freaking ridiculous. If I bought a present for every single kid who was lucky enough to not have their birthday during the summer break, I'd be spending upwards of $400 a year, even going cheap. It's stupid.

If parents want to have birthday parties for their children on their own time, with cake and presents and what ever...great. You have no idea how much instructional time would be lost having mini-parties at school, especially in half-day Kindergarden.

For birthdays, there is a special birth-day centre in the classroom with a picture of the birthday girl or boy, the kids sing them Happy Birthday in the morning and they get to be centre-leader for the day. It's more than enough.

Presents really? They used to be expected to give out presents, now that is going over board.

As for the ban on all things unhealthy that is ridiculous and a stupid idea, oh we won't have unhealthy stuff at school we will just wait till we get out of the school gate till then HS kids and older kids can and do go to Maccas after school or to the deli and buy crap having it banned from school does nothing to decrease obesity, maybe the school should be encouraging physical activities that would help the problem. The school (unless it is public and a government wide ban) is only banning it because it wants to look as if it is doing something (or the government whichever the case might be) when really we as society should be telling parents to get off their ass and look after their kids properly instead of blaming everyone else but them.


I remember when I was in Year 3 and on our birthday our teacher would give the kid a few jelly beans for it, I suppose he isn't allowed to do that anymore because those three-four jelly beans are going make all the kids’ fat! Yeah right!!!

And in case anyone like KOL or someone else decides to make some smart arse comment on how these people don't have kids so what would they know, well to bad I have a six year old son so I know one or two things about parenting. [/rant]

Let them eat cake!

You heard her.:mad:

As far as 'what they do at school' yes, I know they don't learn 100% of the time, in fact growing up, we barely learned 50% of the time, there was a lot of useless fluff put and called "tradition". I'm not sure what should be going on at school besides learning. Socialization? can't you do that at home on your own time? That's what my kids do. A child's entire social life should not revolve around school, much like an adult's entire social life should not revolve around work. If the only time your kids get to "socialize" are between the hours of 8 and 3 on Monday through Friday, I worry that your children aren't going to know how to socialize when they grow up. I don't pay taxes btw for kids to "socialize" at school. I would rather at least half of them graduate literate, because the ones that don't cost me more in tax money and frustrate the hell out of me.......buy by golly! they need that cake!
[/second rant]

Yes I agree with you kids shouldn't be spending their entire time at school socialising (they do regardless of if the teacher wants them to or not) and yes they should be socialising outside of school as well.

As for your tax money it is a lost cause because the reason why so many kids are illiterate is not because they had cake or because they socialised at school but because the curriculum set out by the government (at least in Australia) is shit, and the way the teachers are told to teach is just not working and most of the teachers are so stupid that if they were taking the class they were meant to be teaching they would be lucky to pass.

you would send your child to a school where learning is interrupted 3 or 4 days out of the 5 day week for cupcakes? do you care about your child's education at all?

I've worked in a school Smunkee, have you? Even in the largest class I worked in kids we didn't have more that two or three birthdays a MONTH let alone 3-4 a WEEK.

I think that this would be less of a big deal if there were less birthdays in the classroom. However, with what, 20-25 kids in a classroom and most of them having birthdays that are during the school year, this is something to look at. Whether their government should be looking into the diets of their citizens so much is the call of those citizens, but if they want the benefits of healthy eating, this is certainly a justified measure.

I've worked in a school Smunkee, have you? Even in the largest class I worked in kids we didn't have more that two or three birthdays a MONTH let alone 3-4 a WEEK.

did you read the article? I haven't in a few days, but I seem to remember them saying 3 or 4 a WEEK that's not made up by me (as far as I remember)

and yes, I have worked in a school, as recently as last year........and you know what? I actually went to school for a number of years.

There is no cake.

If the children celebrate birthdays regardless, how is bringing cake a significant waste of learning time?

when kids are testing at grade level and graduating literate then maybe you can waste time eating junk food, until then, don't you think they should focus on learning?

What makes you think they aren't?

There is no cake.

ur doin it rong

If the children celebrate birthdays regardless, how is bringing cake a significant waste of learning time?
celebration is not needed at school, maybe an acknowledgment and a free pencil from the teacher, that's about it, celebrate on your own time.

What makes you think they aren't?
having been to school and being a sub teacher for the past few years? I know that it's hard enough to get the majority of the class focused for long enough to teach something, much less trying to reign them in after something distracting like a birthday party........they surely aren't learning during the party. You people have your priorities screwed up, if you send your kids to school to learn, then they should do that, just because they can't force the whole class to stop working and eat cake to celebrate their birth doesn't mean they can't invite everyone to a party outside of school. Furthermore I assume they aren't focusing on learning because the article said it was disrupting class.

celebration is not needed at school, maybe an acknowledgment and a free pencil from the teacher, that's about it, celebrate on your own time.


having been to school and being a sub teacher for the past few years? I know that it's hard enough to get the majority of the class focused for long enough to teach something, much less trying to reign them in after something distracting like a birthday party........they surely aren't learning during the party. You people have your priorities screwed up, if you send your kids to school to learn, then they should do that, just because they can't force the whole class to stop working and eat cake to celebrate their birth doesn't mean they can't invite everyone to a party outside of school. Furthermore I assume they aren't focusing on learning because the article said it was disrupting class.

I was looking more at 'the testing at grade level and graduating literate' part.

The article says nothing about it disrupting class.

My daughters b’day is tomorrow. I’m sending in chocolate chip cookies for the class, and an alternate treat for the two kids who have dietary restrictions. Having been in the school during these things, I can say that it’s not a giant production. They eat lunch at their desks, (they got rid of the lunchroom to expand the school library) and have the treat during that lunch time. It's hardly disruptive for the 15 times a year it happens.

If kids aren’t performing up to par, it sure as hell isn’t the fault of a slice of cake.

My daughters b’day is tomorrow. I’m sending in chocolate chip cookies for the class, and an alternate treat for the two kids who have dietary restrictions. Having been in the school during these things, I can say that it’s not a giant production. They eat lunch at their desks, (they got rid of the lunchroom to expand the school library) and have the treat during that lunch time. It's hardly disruptive for the 15 times a year it happens.

If kids aren’t performing up to par, it sure as hell isn’t the fault of a slice of cake.

*inserts appropriate emoticon* I guess if they eat them at lunch I don't really care. When I've been in classes where they did it, it was during what was supposed to be learning time.

as far as the dietary concerns........I don't think it's too big of a deal if a school bans cake, eat it somewhere else, my local school banned soda and cigarettes, you can't have them on school grounds, nobody complained. They also have a ban on "homemade" snacks that are shared with the class, because of health concerns (hep B I think they blamed it on), it's the price you pay for going to school, they have messed up rules. When I was in school they wouldn't let me wear a dress I had because it had saftey pins on it and those "could be used as weapons" and they took away my Prozac ink pen because it was "promoting drug use" and my porn star shoe strings because it was "promoting immorality" schools suck. It's your child's first introduction to how stupid authoritarianism is.

I was looking more at 'the testing at grade level and graduating literate' part.

The article says nothing about it disrupting class.

ah, I was talking about my own experience there I guess, I haven't gone back and read the article again.

3/4 of the kids in my area graduate functionally illiterate.......if not fully illiterate. I don't see much value in "celebrating birthdays" when people are graduating without the basic knowledge it takes to get through life.

ah, I was talking about my own experience there I guess, I haven't gone back and read the article again.

3/4 of the kids in my area graduate functionally illiterate.......if not fully illiterate. I don't see much value in "celebrating birthdays" when people are graduating without the basic knowledge it takes to get through life.

No, but I don't see anything to suggest that happens on a significant scale in this school or the majority of schools for that matter - certainly not due to problems caused by sporadic interruptions to learning.

No, but I don't see anything to suggest that happens on a significant scale in this school or the majority of schools for that matter - certainly not due to problems caused by sporadic interruptions to learning.

meh. There are enough interruptions without random cakes showing up:p

I have three major issues, which may not have been adequately communicated.......k four, but still

1 it's school, it's not your social playground
2 nobody has a right to cake, get over it
3 food culture makes people crazy
4 schools are under performing and maybe they should focus on that

*inserts appropriate emoticon* I guess if they eat them at lunch I don't really care. When I've been in classes where they did it, it was during what was supposed to be learning time.

as far as the dietary concerns........I don't think it's too big of a deal if a school bans cake, eat it somewhere else, my local school banned soda and cigarettes, you can't have them on school grounds, nobody complained. They also have a ban on "homemade" snacks that are shared with the class, because of health concerns (hep B I think they blamed it on), it's the price you pay for going to school, they have messed up rules. When I was in school they wouldn't let me wear a dress I had because it had saftey pins on it and those "could be used as weapons" and they took away my Prozac ink pen because it was "promoting drug use" and my porn star shoe strings because it was "promoting immorality" schools suck. It's your child's first introduction to how stupid authoritarianism is.

We can’t bring in homemade goods either, for reasons like Hep-B, but also because of allergies. Between my two kids they have classmates with nut, dairy, gluten and red dye allergies, and kids with insulin pumps, so they need that nutrition label to know exactly what’s in something that they might eat. But that's about as authoritarian as the place gets. I guess if you have the attitude that all schools suck then it's a self-fulfilling prophesy.

They celebrate during the day once in a while, they have academic events at night once in a while. I don’t believe that learning only happens in school, so I don’t mind the occasional celebration. My kids get pulled from classes for music instruction, or G&T programs, or other "academic" type events, and they just make up what they missed. It really hasn't been a huge problem.

We can’t bring in homemade goods either, for reasons like Hep-B, but also because of allergies. Between my two kids they have classmates with nut, dairy, gluten and red dye allergies, and kids with insulin pumps, so they need that nutrition label to know exactly what’s in something that they might eat. But that's about as authoritarian as the place gets. I guess if you have the attitude that all schools suck then it's a self-fulfilling prophesy.

They celebrate during the day once in a while, they have academic events at night once in a while. I don’t believe that learning only happens in school, so I don’t mind the occasional celebration. My kids get pulled from classes for music instruction, or G&T programs, or other "academic" type events, and they just make up what they missed. It really hasn't been a huge problem.

I am rather anti-school. I'm kinda anti-food too. I came in with my own bias. :)

1 it's school, it's not your social playground
2 nobody has a right to cake, get over it
3 food culture makes people crazy
4 schools are under performing and maybe they should focus on that

QFT

Presents really? They used to be expected to give out presents, now that is going over board.
Why the fuck would it be the school's job to hand out presents? Do that at a birthday party. As a parent, if I'm going to put out the expense of a present for your kid, you'd better invite MY kid to some sort of a party.

Then you also get the situation where 'unpopular kids' get fewer presents than the 'popular kids'. Nothing like sealing your social fate in front of your peers! With the smiling encouragement of staff and administration!



As for the ban on all things unhealthy that is ridiculous and a stupid idea, oh we won't have unhealthy stuff at school we will just wait till we get out of the school gate till then HS kids and older kids can and do go to Maccas after school or to the deli and buy crap having it banned from school does nothing to decrease obesity, maybe the school should be encouraging physical activities that would help the problem.
When kids are eating healthy meals all throughout the school day (and this extends into High Schools in most cases here btw) it absolutely does help the health of students. They can eat shit after school, but at least you know they've had one, or two solid, healthy meals a day. It makes a difference.

Modelling good eating for kids is unbelievably effective, especially when it's peers doing the modelling. My children, ages 4 and 6, still can't stand pop (or soda for you yanks). We don't drink it at home, and their peers don't drink it at school, so it's not something they crave. Considering aboriginal children are at three times a higher risk for diabetes than their non-aboriginal peers, this isn't just a feel good moment...this is huge.


The school (unless it is public and a government wide ban) is only banning it because it wants to look as if it is doing something (or the government whichever the case might be) when really we as society should be telling parents to get off their ass and look after their kids properly instead of blaming everyone else but them. No, the schools are banning unhealthy food because it IS doing something. IT'S ENSURING ONLY HEALTHY FOOD GETS EATEN IN SCHOOL. That you honestly think this is 'nothing' is beyond ridiculous. Perhaps you missed the portion of Health Studies that explained to you how the intake of healthy, nutritious foods actually aids in the growth of your body? Or maybe you were too strung out on pop and potato chips to pay attention during that part.

Kids are in school at a minimum of six hours a day for five days a week. Whatever we can be doing for that huge chunk of time to encourage healthy habits, we should be doing.

having been to school and being a sub teacher for the past few years? I know that it's hard enough to get the majority of the class focused for long enough to teach something, much less trying to reign them in after something distracting like a birthday party........they surely aren't learning during the party. You people have your priorities screwed up, if you send your kids to school to learn, then they should do that, just because they can't force the whole class to stop working and eat cake to celebrate their birth doesn't mean they can't invite everyone to a party outside of school. Furthermore I assume they aren't focusing on learning because the article said it was disrupting class.


I have to agree. Even having a school assembly during the day is a huge distraction...it takes a fair amount of time before and after to get the kids focused again. And yes, I'm a teacher, I've taught. As it is, the day is full of interuptions, recess, after-the-fact-announcements over the PA, lunch, more recess, getting ready for home time and so on. Transitioning from classes, library, gym, band, or whatever. An amazing amount of instructional time is lost on a regular day, never mind those days where you celebrate a birthday with a party.

In fact, I have yet to attend or teach at a school that took time out for a birthday party. Usually birthdays are announced in the morning, and individual classrooms have specific routines to acknowledge the birthday child. So I'm not sure where you people have your kids at that you've got your panties in such a bunch over lost party time.

If, as one poster has pointed out happens at her children's school, there is a snack at lunch, then it's not going to be a huge problem. Nonetheless, I still don't see why there is such a big deal over being asked to send healthy celebration snacks instead of cake.

I have to agree. Even having a school assembly during the day is a huge distraction...it takes a fair amount of time before and after to get the kids focused again. And yes, I'm a teacher, I've taught. As it is, the day is full of interuptions, recess, after-the-fact-announcements over the PA, lunch, more recess, getting ready for home time and so on. Transitioning from classes, library, gym, band, or whatever. An amazing amount of instructional time is lost on a regular day, never mind those days where you celebrate a birthday with a party.

In fact, I have yet to attend or teach at a school that took time out for a birthday party. Usually birthdays are announced in the morning, and individual classrooms have specific routines to acknowledge the birthday child. So I'm not sure where you people have your kids at that you've got your panties in such a bunch over lost party time.

If, as one poster has pointed out happens at her children's school, there is a snack at lunch, then it's not going to be a huge problem. Nonetheless, I still don't see why there is such a big deal over being asked to send healthy celebration snacks instead of cake.

But, but, denying kids cake at school is evil...
:rolleyes:

If, as one poster has pointed out happens at her children's school, there is a snack at lunch, then it's not going to be a huge problem. Nonetheless, I still don't see why there is such a big deal over being asked to send healthy celebration snacks instead of cake.

Honestly, usually for most of the celebrations, they do ask that kids bring in healthy snacks, and no one complains about it. But I also think that part of eating properly is knowing that you can have a cookie or a cupcake once in a blue moon and it’s not going to mean you’re doomed to obesity forever. The kids who eat junk food hand over fist are going to be the same kids who are eating crap at home and whose parents pack them crap in lunches (because the school can serve all the healthy stuff it wants, but if parents are packing lunches, the kids will eat what’s in front of them.) I don’t ever have soda in the house, ever, but if we’re over at someone’s house and my kids have a cup of it, I don’t go ballistic and feel like my values have been compromised, or that my children are bound for the diabetes clinic. I try to teach them moderation, so that things aren’t taboo, but they understand why it’s important to be balanced with things.

Food shouldn’t be a reward, but at the same time in my family, there’s a lot of culture around it. I cook with my kids and we grow food in our garden and we bake bread and yes, sometimes make cookies or sweets. It’s something that I want them to feel comfortable with without succumbing to the latest nutritional hysteria. I think when people start obsessing over it, by "banning" things, is when kids start developing bad habits where they can't make good choices for themselves.

Honestly, usually for most of the celebrations, they do ask that kids bring in healthy snacks, and no one complains about it. But I also think that part of eating properly is knowing that you can have a cookie or a cupcake once in a blue moon and it’s not going to mean you’re doomed to obesity forever. The kids who eat junk food hand over fist are going to be the same kids who are eating crap at home and whose parents pack them crap in lunches (because the school can serve all the healthy stuff it wants, but if parents are packing lunches, the kids will eat what’s in front of them.) I don’t ever have soda in the house, ever, but if we’re over at someone’s house and my kids have a cup of it, I don’t go ballistic and feel like my values have been compromised, or that my children are bound for the diabetes clinic. I try to teach them moderation, so that things aren’t taboo, but they understand why it’s important to be balanced with things.

Food shouldn’t be a reward, but at the same time in my family, there’s a lot of culture around it. I cook with my kids and we grow food in our garden and we bake bread and yes, sometimes make cookies or sweets. It’s something that I want them to feel comfortable with without succumbing to the latest nutritional hysteria. I think when people start obsessing over it, by "banning" things, is when kids start developing bad habits where they can't make good choices for themselves.

We might have a misunderstanding here. At my daughter's school you literally cannot bring junk food. That's becoming more common actually. So if parents pack a shit lunch full of chips and pop, the kid doesn't get to eat it...they are fed something from the hot lunch program. In lower income areas, parents can sign their kids up for hot lunch, and put that form in one envelope, and can pay (or not), putting that in another envelope, so no one knows who paid and who didn't. We do an enormous amount of fundraising to support this.

Kids can have junk at home. My children are very young, and understand very well that there is junk food and there is healthy food...and you get junk food IF you eat healthy food first. We reinforce this at home, and the school is doing a fantastic job of nutrition education.

If parents want to pamper their children with junk, there is nothing stopping them. I honestly cannot fathom why any parent would seriously oppose having the schools ensure that all kids are eating properly...especially knowing how important proper nutrition is to learning.

Ha, though, at the school I was teaching at, they were just implementing the nutritious eating program, and they told teachers that we couldn't drink coffee at school, or eat chips/junk either...(luckily I only drank water then)...it was the teachers who nearly lost their minds. The kids were thrilled to get to eat healthy snacks in class:D

We might have a misunderstanding here. At my daughter's school you literally cannot bring junk food.

[snip]

If parents want to pamper their children with junk, there is nothing stopping them. I honestly cannot fathom why any parent would seriously oppose having the schools ensure that all kids are eating properly...especially knowing how important proper nutrition is to learning.


At the beginning of the school year, you get a letter asking to send in healthy lunches. They teach the kids nutrition in school (along with more general topics like differentiating between wants and needs). For low income kids there are healthy breakfasts and lunches at school. (Our school district has keypads/pin numbers so other kids don’t know if it’s coming out of a pre-paid account or is gratis.) But we don't have lunchbox police.

I just think that when you get into always/never ban this or that situations that you’re not teaching kids reality. Part of eating properly is knowing when it’s okay to have a treat and when it’s not. I’m of the mindset that it’s never too early to start teaching kids to make good choices for themselves, especially if someone else isn’t going to do it for them. I just try to make sure mine are equipped to do the best they can out there in the big bad world of cake and cookies. :)

I understand why they're banning it, but the kids are probably gonna scoff the cake at home, along with all the other junk they may or may not decide to eat. There's really no way to win with this nutrition stuff, in the end it's all down to what the kid decides.

I understand why they're banning it, but the kids are probably gonna scoff the cake at home, along with all the other junk they may or may not decide to eat. There's really no way to win with this nutrition stuff, in the end it's all down to what the kid decides.

huh?

in the end the kid only eats what the parents provide until they are old enough to go to the store with their own money.

Wow again. Birthday cakes? I rarely channel science in my posts, but I'm pretty sure it''s metabolically impossible to get fat off of a cake every once in awhile.

Just another case of the government saying that they know better than you.

Wow again. Birthday cakes? I rarely channel science in my posts, but I'm pretty sure it''s metabolically impossible to get fat off of a cake every once in awhile.

Just another case of the government saying that they know better than you.

Did you read the article?

Did you read the article?

The quoted section, not the link. Why?

The quoted section, not the link. Why?
.
Oteha Valley has a large number of pupils born in September and October, and there can be up to four cakes a week in some classes, principal Megan Bowden told the Herald.
It had gotten to the point where parents thought they were required to provide a cake for their child's birthday.

Ah. Sorry about that. Four cakes a week? I retract my previous argument, but still maintain that the healthy-eating campaigns in schools often take things a bit too far.

Ah. Sorry about that. Four cakes a week? I retract my previous argument, but still maintain that the healthy-eating campaigns in schools often take things a bit too far.

Agreed.

huh?

in the end the kid only eats what the parents provide until they are old enough to go to the store with their own money.

Yeah and you will find wether they were given healthy or not you can be sure that the kids will be buying lollies and soft drink and any other number of unhealthy foods.

If parents want to pamper their children with junk, there is nothing stopping them. I honestly cannot fathom why any parent would seriously oppose having the schools ensure that all kids are eating properly...especially knowing how important proper nutrition is to learning.

I don't mind education of healthy eating habits and providing a healthy diet at school, but to force kids that all they can have is healthy stuff at school including taking away the packet of chips from the kid if they brought it from home is just plain wrong, it is called Social Engineering and no government or institution should be allowed to do that.

Ha, though, at the school I was teaching at, they were just implementing the nutritious eating program, and they told teachers that we couldn't drink coffee at school, or eat chips/junk either...(luckily I only drank water then)...it was the teachers who nearly lost their minds. The kids were thrilled to get to eat healthy snacks in class:D

What a load of bull, banning teachers from eating 'junk' (which raises another interesting question how do we define what is 'junk?' I have seen various 'experts' classify different things as 'junk'), is that even allowed? And what was the insight in banning coffee? (I very rarely drink the stuff maybe twice a year, so I may not know if there are unhealthy aspects)

It gives the cake to us or it gets the hose!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdT7Vpc0uho
:D

they told teachers that we couldn't drink coffee at school

Of course, you know.... this means WAR!!!!!

No COFFEE!!!!??????

School bans birthday cake



Linkage (http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSWEL14647920080404?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews)

So generalites, do you think they're going overboard?

'Course they are. Its they're freaking birthday!! Sure, four a week is a bit much, but if they have that many students in the first place its fine.

(I lived in a small town as a child, and they're were like 2 birthdays a month max in the entire school)