I am a proud graduate of Apple Valley High School. Go Eagles.
Apple Valley is part of Independent School District 196 that serves the communities of Eagan, Apple Valley and Rosemount. What I am not proud of, however, is a rule ISD 196 has implemented that outlaws bringing treats to school to celebrate a child’s birthday.
I was always envious of those kids who had a birthday during the school year. Instead, having a July birthday, I usually chose a random day to become my designated fake birthday so I could bring in treats. I wished my entire class could have reconvened on July 19 to celebrate the actual date instead, but hey — beggars can’t be choosers.
Now, the school district argues that due to the vast array of allergies children seem to have, the socioeconomic range of the students and the climbing rate of obesity, it makes sense to get rid of this long-held tradition.
I wholeheartedly disagree.
Allergies can be a scary — and even deadly — concern, but it’s one that could and should be addressed by the teacher to the parents. As a mother of a child who attends Early Childhood Family Education classes, parents are asked to sign up to bring in a snack during the class session.
On the first day at ECFE the teacher asks parents if anyone has a child with a food allergy. That way we are conscious of what snacks would be OK for that particular class. Couldn’t something as simple as communicating that a child has an allergy be done in elementary schools?
The socioeconomic concern is a valid one; of course you don’t want to put pressure on a parent to bring in a treat for their child’s birthday when they’re struggling to feed their family.
An administrator in the school district points out that some children were bringing in pizzas to celebrate a birthday while others brought in Tootsie Rolls, a definite contrast in money spent.
Why not just offer some guidelines for bringing in birthday treats — how about packaged fruit from a store, pencils or stickers? They’re still of a varying price range, but kids may think some cool stickers are way neater than some expensive fruit anyway.
My point is that the dollar amount isn’t what makes the day special, it is the thought. The dollar stores always have a large quantity of crackers, stickers and other fun things for, as you might imagine, only $1.
The district’s last point, about the rising obesity in this country, is certainly a concern, but will not be eliminated by taking away birthday treats. We have learned through countless diet fads that diets don’t work. A well-balanced meal plan and exercise are key to a healthy lifestyle. Eating an occasional birthday cookie or cupcake will not make a child fat; the continued lack of exercise and proper eating habits will.
We all remember celebrating our birthdays in school, bringing in the treats and sharing them with our fellow students. It was a simple but fun gesture that was part of a great tradition. If we take away these school traditions — like Halloween, Valentine’s Day and birthdays — we take away part of being a child.
Doesn’t childhood go by fast enough? Let the kids eat cake, cookies and treats.
Kristin Kveno is the copy editor-staff writer of The Land. She may be reached at copyeditor@thelandonline.com.
