Halloween Cancelled at School: Are Food Allergies to Blame?
Oct 21 2009 in Best Allergy Sites, Food Allergy Channel, Food Allergy News by Ruth LovettSmith
Fox News Boston reported Wednesday evening that JFK Elementary School, in Canton Massachusetts, has cancelled Halloween celebrations in the classrooms.
The explanation to parents is that Halloween does not fall under their already scheduled seasonal celebrations like “Fall”. The Superintendent and school district did not return calls from Fox News but released a letter/email to a parent stating that there would be no trick or treating in classrooms, no passing of candy, no costumes–but kids could read Halloween stories and the like under the Fall celebration.
The letter also mentioned food allergies multiple times.
I have not seen the full letter but I question why food allergies always seem to be at the middle of these heated debates regarding celebrations in school. I’m thrilled that the JFK school is taking steps to minimize candy and treats in school from a health standpoint; but it certainly pits unhappy parents against the food allergic community to use food allergies as a reason. Hopefully the letter also mentions childhood diabetes, food borne illnesses, and childhood obesity as reasons for canceling trick or treating in school.
One mother stated that she was not upset about the candy or treats, but did not understand why the kids could not celebrate Halloween in other ways in the classroom.
Is this a case of JFK Elementary School doing the right thing by banning candy and treats in school for health reasons, or a case of the school going too far in banning Halloween all together using their scheduled Fall celebration as an excuse while pointing a finger at food allergies?
The school isn’t talking.
While it’s a step in the right direction, we’d like to see schools take a stand in regards to candy, treats, and classroom celebrations from an overall health and wellness standpoint. Young food allergic children have it hard enough. They shouldn’t have to endure classroom food parties they can’t participate in, but they also shouldn’t have to take the blame for them being canceled. Schools and parents need to find a way to celebrate that includes and “celebrates” all children.
How does your school celebrate? Are you in a food free school district or one that feels cupcakes are a tradition worth keeping? We’d like to know. Feel free to comment below.
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Ann said on October 22, 2009
My son’s fourth grade teacher came up with a great solution to hosting school parties with a food allergic child in the class. The story is at http://www.FoodAllergiesToGo.com/School
Ruth LovettSmith said on October 22, 2009
Thanks for the article Ann, I’ve adjusted the link as requested!
Jennifer B said on October 23, 2009
This story was big news in our town yesterday as we are located “next door”. Most people here felt the school was going a bit too far. We are successfully celebrating Halloween in school in my PA son’s class without food. Other classes are using food. I personally am against food in the classroom because of the large number and variety of food allergies. I feel it is safest to avoid food in the classroom so as to avoid the potential for allergic reactions.
Ruth LovettSmith said on October 23, 2009
Thanks for commenting Jennifer. I agree with you.
It’s no secret that I am personally a fan of food free classrooms. With food allergies, diabetes, and obesity on the rise not to mention food borne illnesses-it’s the safest and healthiest thing for all of our children.
I’m currently working on what I hope to be a National Initiative in regards to this. If there are others that would like to be involved, please email me or contact me through our contact page.
Anne said on October 24, 2009
It is funny how as parents of children with food allergies we question every label, but for some reason we don’t question every news report. I know I have been guilty of this myself. My child is a first grader with a food allergy at the JFK Elementary school in Canton. Unfortunately Fox News reported a topical story based on the “facts” presented by one mother. It is true, we are not having a Halloween Party, only a Fall Festival. But, there will be food (healthy versus just candy) and there will be theme related activities (games and books relating to Fall including Halloween). The biggest complaint, the children will not be wearing costumes. However, neither Fox nor the mother bothered to report that this practice has been eliminated in many schools because of a litany of safety issues. For example, if a child is dressed as a soldier may he bring a plastic gun that is part of his costume? What about the grim reaper? How about all of those long capes or high heels for the princess costumes?
I couldn’t be happier with the Canton School Administration’s position regarding food in the classroom and their proactive approach to handling food allergies. They have a well thought out plan that includes the parents in the solutions. The scary truth is this story wasn’t about food allergies.
Ruth LovettSmith said on October 24, 2009
Thank you Anne for stopping by and for explaining your point of view on the situation.
It’s too bad that the school/district chose not to respond to Fox news-if what you say is true. It certainly would have painted the situation in a different light.
As I said above-I did not see the full letter-however portions on the news did show food allergies mentioned in the letter/email.
I’m glad that you are happy with how food allergies are handled at JFK Elementary in Canton. I would be curious to hear how exactly food is handled in the classroom and what the food allergy policies and protocols are at your school.
Feel free to email ruth (at) bestallergysites (dot) com or post here.