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Healthy Treats Guidance

Celebrate Healthy

Ideas for Non-Food Celebrations

Not every party has to involve food!  Con­sider talk­ing to your child’s teacher about other ways to cel­e­brate stu­dent birth­days,  such as...  

  • Bring in his/her favorite game or book or a spe­cial art project to share with the class
  • Put together a “goody bag” of non-edible treats such as glow sticks, bal­loons, stick­ers, tat­toos, etc.
  • Make him or her line leader or star stu­dent or get­ting some sort of spe­cial priv­i­lege for the day.  Be creative!

Excerpts from TUSD Wellness Policy

Snacks served during the school day or in after-school programs should make a positive contribution to children’s diets and health, with an emphasis on serving fruits and vegetables, whole grains, as the primary snacks and milk, water or 100% juice as the primary beverages.

School staff will encourage parents/guardians or other volunteers to support the District’s nutrition education program by choosing nutritional quality when selecting any snacks which they may donate for occasional class parties.

Schools will limit celebrations that involve food during the school day to no more than one party per class per month. Class parties or celebrations shall be held after the lunch period and only foods that meet or exceed state and federal nutritional standards can be served. 

Approved

  • Fresh fruit ~ cut up or whole
  • Fruit kabobs
  • Yogurt tubes/cups served with fresh fruit
  • Fruit roll-ups 
  • Healthy granola bars
  • Graham crackers
  • Apple slices with topping
  • Animal crackers
  • Apple sauce
  • Popcorn
  • Baked Chips
  • Gold Fish Crackers
  • Whole Grain Muffins
  • Whole Grain Cookies
  • Cereals that contain whole grains and are low in sugar
  • All baked snacks must be packaged and purchased from a store or bakery.

Not Approved

  • Donuts
  • Pastries
  • Non-Baked Chips
  • Cupcakes & Frosting
  • Candy
  • Ice Cream
  • Soda
  • Punch

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a student or teacher bring food items to school for sale to other students?

No. The only sales that are allowed are pre-approved fundraisers through student body organizations or pre-approved sales through parent groups. CA Ed Code 51520 and 51521 state that teachers and others are prohibited from soliciting students during the school day or one hour before and after school unless the sale is approved by the district. This includes individuals making solicitations on behalf of the school district or an ASB organization. However, federal regulations are stricter than CA Ed code, stating that food sales are prohibited from midnight through 30 minutes after the end of the school day.

What are the consequences for not following the smart snacks rules?

Section 303 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act amended section 22 of the NSLA (42 U.S.C. 1769c) to provide the USDA with the authority to impose fines against any school or school food authority failing to comply with regulations. After July 1, 2014, the USDA has the authority to assess those fines.

Can we sell home-baked goods?

No. For the safety of our children, all food items for sale must come from an approved source (a food service establishment that holds a valid Health Permit). All foods for sale on our school campuses must meet the California Smart Snacks in School guidelines and must receive prior approval through proper documentation.

Can teachers give "bucks," vouchers, coupons, etc. to students so they can exchange for candy or other non-nutritional items?

No. Laws recently passed prohibit the exchange of non-compliant foods for money, coupons, vouchers, or any other manner of exchange.