On Tuesday evening Parents Circle and other groups met to discuss . . . well, everything! Some of the most animated discussion was about food, & birthday snacks in particular. So here goes.
There is no BAN of sugary treats! There is a move toward healthier snacks at BPC. John Carlstroem emphasized that there is no official ban on sugar, nor is there a specific policy on what snacks are allowed. The administration is simply requesting that families be thoughtful about the healthfulness of treats their children bring in for birthdays and other celebrations. B'day treats were not the only snacks discussed. There was a lot of discussion regarding the snacks served in after-school and how those snacks can be improved. In the back-to-school packet we all received earlier in the fall there was mention of the move towards healthier snacks from John Carlstoem:
Being Thoughtful About Treats:
At Black Pine Circle we are proud to model healthy, hearty, and eclectic meal options for our students through our "Nourish You" food service. This year, we'd like to take our commitment to "thoughtful eating" a step further.
Students often want to celebrate a birthday or have a fun Advisory by bringing in a special treat for their classmates and teachers. We've been working with our faculty to create special traditions and routines for birthdays and Advisories that we're enthusiastic about sharing with you this fall, at our Back to School Night.
Increasingly, scientific research is describing the important impact diet has on physical, emotional, and intellectual growth and development. As a school that prides itself on being thoughtful and safe, we also have a responsibility to our students and families who are managing food allergies and/or sensitivities. With this in mind, for the 2012-2013 academic year, we ask that families send in a simple, healthy and easy to serve treat, after arranging the date and timing with the sponsoring teacher. Examples of appropriate treats include fruit kabobs, sliced veggies, cheese & crackers, yogurt, sliced apples etc. For more ideas and or
information about general healthful diets for kids see this resource.
I hope this answers some of the questions that were posed regarding snacks.
The topic of picking up students from their classrooms in the Lower School was also discussed. Many of you have wondered about this new policy. It is my understanding that this change was due to safety concerns. Many teachers felt that they could not keep track of who was picking up whom and that there was too much chaos to keep track of all the students' whereabouts. It was conveyed to the administration that although some parents like the new policy many feel that the courtyard feels somewhat "sad." We also heard that kids who dreaded standing in the sun in a line are thrilled!
Arrrr... another topic that generated a lot of conversation was Pirate Day! Pirate Day has been transformed to Hippie Day! Bill Webb and Diana Warren are adding their own special touches to a few school celebrations. For the true diehard Matey's - September 19 (every year) is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. That's all I'm going to say . . .
For the parents that are missing the school staff picture board - There is a poster in the making that will have the staff and their pictures. I do not know where it will be posted but it is being worked on now!
One takeaway: even small changes can generate big reactions in our (delightfully) diverse community. As always, the Heads of school emphasized their willingness to discuss concerns individually and in forums like these meetings and Javas with John. Let's remember to assume goodwill!
[kudos to Michelle Grunfelder (mother of 3rd grader Talia), for composing this summary...]
