Birthday Treats and Snack Policy

Food allergies can be life threatening and are a serious concern to all schools. Winstead has several students with serious food allergies. We will make every effort to protect the students with these allergies while not taking away from traditional childhood celebrations. Our plans for the 2008-09 school year are as follows:

• Students in all grades will bring their own daily snacks from home. This is to ensure that each child has food that is safe for him/her to eat.
• For the child’s protection, the parents/guardians of a student with food allergies must bring a supply of snacks to be distributed during parties. These snacks must be individually labeled with the child’s name.
• Your child’s teacher will share specific snack procedures for his/her classroom.

• We will allow birthday celebrations with food to be brought in only if prior arrangements have been made with the teacher.
• Party arrangements must be made one week in advance in order for the teacher to make the most of instructional time.
• No surprise parties will be allowed to disrupt the instructional day.
• Birthday parties will be held after 3 PM and will no longer be allowed during the lunch period in the cafeteria due to health/allergy concerns.
• Non-food treats will be limited to one item and may not be balloons. More elaborate parties are appropriate for another setting.
• If you want to bring or send your child birthday balloons, please arrange for car pick-up on the day your child receives them. Balloons are not allowed on the school bus.
• No candles or noisemakers are allowed.

If you are planning a party to celebrate your child’s birthday outside of school, please send these invitations through the mail directly to the homes of your child’s classmates. Obtain addresses from the school directory. Due to privacy laws, front office personnel cannot share student addresses or phone numbers.