Instead of birthday cupcakes, how about some apples? Or granola bars?
Schools are asking parents to substitute healthy alternatives for sugar-laden treats for birthdays and holiday parties as part of a growing effort to combat childhood obesity.
The recommendations have been springing up this year as districts adopt local wellness policies under federal law.
Most districts are just recommending that parents send in healthy treats or nonedible items for birthdays and other parties, although Avalon Elementary School in Allegheny County has banned sugary snacks.
Jeannette McKee Elementary School has been working with parents for the last few years on curtailing sugar at parties.
"The PTO, at their parties, instead of giving the kids sugary juices, they give them water, so that's a plus," said Sandra Zimmerman, school nurse. "The teachers sent out a notice. If parents want to bring in a treat for a party, they're encouraged to bring something nonedible or something healthy."
Lori Hall, Jeannette McKee's PTO president, said she's seen some change in what parents are sending in as snacks. More goldfish crackers and small toys are coming home with her son and daughter, but improvement is needed.
"We would like to see more parents do the more nutritious snacks -- the crackers instead of the cupcakes for the birthday parties and for the Halloween and Valentine's and Christmas parties," Hall said. "My kids come home with bags full of junk food."
Officials supporting the changes point to student health issues.
Childhood obesity is on the rise, said Allison Topper, executive director of Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity in Harrisburg, an outreach and education group that helps schools develop wellness programs.
In the past two years, the percentage of obese American children has risen from 15 percent to 17 percent, Topper said.
"There have been drastic changes in lifestyle over the past three decades -- more convenience food," Topper said. "And many people are engineering physical activity out of their lives."
Yough School District sent letters home encouraging parents to send healthy treats to school instead of cupcakes.
Greater Latrobe School District is asking parents to follow a 75-25 rule -- meaning 25 percent of foods offered during classroom celebrations can be sugary snacks while the other 75 percent should be healthy.
"It's about choice, and we're giving the kids choice -- still having the sugary items they'd like to have but balancing it out with the healthy food items," food service director Jillian Meloy said.
Barbara Marin, director of elementary education at Hempfield Area School District, said district officials decided not to ban cupcakes and other treats from the classroom but to simply recommend alternatives.
"We want to make parents aware of the fact that we are looking toward more nutritious, healthier types of things, but certainly if parents sent in cupcakes we would not stop them," Marin said. "You can't change things overnight. You have to work toward it in steps."
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