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Strict policy bans Valentine's Day chocolate, candy in Temecula schools
By: JENNIFER KABBANY - Staff Writer | ∞
Vintage Hills second-graders Kevin Orelbeck and Bethany Guerrero fill up their plates Wednesday morning with healthy treats during the 8th annual Heart Healthy Brunch held at the school each Valentines Day. This year, the event coincides with the Temecula Valley school district's edict that bans candy and sugar from school campuses. Popular treats for the day included bagels, GoGurt, muffins, and a vast assortment of fruits and vegetables.
DAVID CARLSON Staff Photographer
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TEMECULA -- It's been a tradition in Heather Koser's classroom to decorate cupcakes on Valentine's Day, but this year the Temecula teacher traded in the treats for apples and bananas.
On Wednesday morning, her second-grade students at Rancho Elementary School carefully applied sequins, buttons, pipe cleaners and wiggly eyes to pieces of fruit, then wrote up little cards with phrases such as "You'd make a grape Valentine!" and "Orange you glad it's Valentine's Day?"
"Because cupcakes are out, we are doing the fruit thing," said Koser, referring to the Temecula Valley Unified School District's wellness policy, which took effect in August when school began.
Even without cupcakes, the point remains the same, to "show friendship to someone," she said.
Koser's class activity illustrates one of many ways Temecula educators got creative for Valentine's Day in the wake of new rules regarding what food is allowed for classroom celebrations.
Like other districts across the nation, the Temecula district developed the wellness policy in the wake of new state and federal laws calling for schools to sell healthier meals and snacks.
The laws regulate what and when certain foods and drinks can be sold at schools, but districts are free to create stricter policies. Some parents say Temecula's policy goes overboard -- especially on days such as Valentine's Day, with most elementary school officials putting the kibosh on candy.
A letter recently sent home to some Paloma Elementary School parents stated in bold, capital letters: "Please do not have your child send candy in any form with their Valentine cards, per the school's food rules -- thank you!!!"
At Rancho Elementary School, candy and chocolate were banned from the day's celebrations.
"We are not allowed to have any treats here or anything," said Rancho Elementary School second-grader Riley McNulty, 7.
Riley said that, while she had a lot of fun decorating her apple, she would have preferred cupcakes.
Rancho Elementary School second-grader Bella Hummel, 8, said she didn't mind the rules.
"I eat a lot of fruit," she said. "I have some candy during the weekends."
Like students, parents are mixed on the policy as it relates to celebrations such as Valentine's Day.
Parent Tess Crawford and her daughter, a third-grader at Crowne Hill Elementary, melted old crayons in heart-shaped tins to create valentines with tags attached that said, "You color my world."
"I don't mind it," Crawford said of the no-candy rule. She said her family is health-conscious and "there are other ways to celebrate the holiday - it doesn't have to be about the sweet tarts."
Though Crowne Hill Elementary officials asked parents not to bring candy to school Wednesday, some did, Crawford said, adding that the students were sent home with their wrappers unopened.
Not all mothers agree Valentine's Day for young students should be about fruit and granola.
"There's a lot of us that hate it," said Adrienne Ziobro, who has two sons attending Rancho Elementary. "I want to take in something fun. I don't want to buy the kids a pencil. It's just craziness."
Red Hawk Elementary School parent Kellie Cantrell has a different take.
"I don't think snacks on certain days of celebration are of any harm to children," she said. "That's not what is making our kids unhealthy. It's a lack of physical activity and too many electronics."
And parent LuAnn Thompson, the mother of elementary and high school students in the district, wondered: "Are we going to take all the fun out of holidays?"
Superintendent Carol Leighty, who has continually defended the policy when parents and students have complained, said there is some "flexibility" in the wellness policy for celebrations such as Valentine's Day, but that campus officials are "encouraged to get away from candy."
Among other things, the policy caps the number of classroom parties involving food and drinks at one every three months. At the parties, food served must meet guidelines, such as forbidding food with more than 35 percent of its calories from fat and sugar, with exceptions such as nuts and fruits.
Leighty said students may still celebrate the annual holiday.
"They can give out Valentines, do all the Valentine's Day stuff," she said.
In fact, many elementary school campuses in Temecula held so-called heart-healthy brunches Wednesday. At those events, Valentine's Day was celebrated by students eating carrots, fruit, granola, nuts, fruit juice and water.
Other campus officials were brave enough to do something a bit more daring. Helen Hunt Jackson Elementary School, in addition to offering fruit and berries, allowed students to make low-fat ice cream sundaes and build valentines with various pastries that were sent home with them.
But the whole no-candy situation has at least one former Temecula educator, who spent 36 years in the classroom -- 16 of which were in elementary schools in Temecula -- rolling her eyes.
"We used to have cupcakes and candy and all kinds of stuff," said the former teacher, Adele Harrison. She said the obesity problem is more about a lack of exercise than an annual celebration.
"Everything is so politically correct," she said of the new rules. "They go overboard on this stuff."
-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.
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Quit complaining! wrote on Feb 15, 2007 6:34 AM:O.K. Parents that think that eating something healthy on a holiday is "taking the fun out of it"?? PLEEZ! SUGAR makes kids hyper!! Valentines day is first, next its Easter..CANDY CANDY CANDY! Get over yourselves and allow these teachers to teach these kids something about nutrition! I am sure they got showered with candy from you because you felt so sorry for them because they did not get candy at a school party!!!
Randy wrote on Feb 15, 2007 6:59 AM:"Life is like a box of chocolates!" The damage done by a box of dark chocolate once a year pales in comparison to the damage done by gangs and drugs. Focus on what's important!
Scrooge! wrote on Feb 15, 2007 7:17 AM:Leighty is a party pooper and so is the Board. Thank god my kids are in private school were common sense prevails.
I know lets bring in an edicational book! wrote on Feb 15, 2007 7:32 AM:Please! On V-Day!!!!! This is crazy!
Sad wrote on Feb 15, 2007 7:54 AM:I remember all the damage celebrating these holidays did to me. Get Real! The whole world got fat on these holidays! The sad thing is it hurts the kids in the long run.
Peter wrote on Feb 15, 2007 8:00 AM:More social engineering and unfortunately many of the parents have already bought into it. Then again didn't a Physical Education teacher recently get in trouble for having students run laps?
Murrieta Resident wrote on Feb 15, 2007 8:10 AM:Thank goodness I live in Murrieta. I can not believe the school board has taken the fun out of the holiday. The kids go to school everyday and have to sit and learn everyday, they should have something to look forward to. Let parents do their jobs and monitor the amount of sugar their children get. I suppose they can't bring cupcakes in for thier birthday either? Very sad.
Fruit juice? wrote on Feb 15, 2007 8:31 AM:Did the administrators read the nutrition label on the juice? Probably not. It's at least 30 mg of sugar a serving. Oh, I forgot, they can't read.
Jake wrote on Feb 15, 2007 8:46 AM:This is a clear cut case of administrators justifying their jobs. To have a policy that dictates that treats can have no more than a certain percentage of sugar (35% or whatever) basically limits all treats since who knows how the treats really brak down in contents. Would it really hurt them so bad to have a cupcake or some candy on a holiday? How about teachers worry about teaching and let the MAJOR health issues like the ingestion of candy and sugar to the parents. How about the school district focus it's efforts on something a bit more broad ranging - any child that is obese already is not going to get morbidly obese if treats that contain too much sugar are brought in one every three months, nor is this effort going to change a child's dietry structure overall. This is nothing but administrators trying to make themselves look good to thier bosses - the problem is that the school boards forget who they really serve - the children and not themselves, nor the state board of education.
LP wrote on Feb 15, 2007 9:13 AM:TVUSD has nothing better to enforce? What up with this? Its just wrong.
Bella wrote on Feb 15, 2007 9:27 AM:This is ridiculous. A few pieces of chocolate isnt going to hurt anyone, why take the fun and tradition out of Valentines day. Teachers need to stick to their jobs, do they not think were teaching our children how to eat right at home? I think were capable of doing this. There they go, crossing the line again. The most ridiculous part of this whole thing is what the schools serve the children everyday at lunch time. Greasy fried garbage, not being stored properly, with the option of a wilted gross salad drowning in fat filled ranch dressing. The school needs to do what school was meant to do and thats teach our children Math, reading, history etc. Let the parents do the rest. These schools crack me up, they teach hygiene and then dont even allow time for children to wash their hands before they eat, or have soap and paper towels in the restrooms. Teachers, please come back from your power trips.
Mike wrote on Feb 15, 2007 9:28 AM:Candy is completely harmless compared to the damage teacher's unions do to our children.
Alf wrote on Feb 15, 2007 9:30 AM:Simple solution #1 - Declare that Valentine's Day is an annual one-day exception to the rule. Simple solution #2 - Do something that many do not like, enforce every rule as much as possible. Doing so might instill respect for the rules. Remember that it is actually Saint Valentines Day. Where are all the church/state fanatics? Not really.
no wonder our kids are getting so violent wrote on Feb 15, 2007 10:03 AM:we are taking all of the fun out of the holiday activities that we as a country have thrived on for years...I agree that the things making our children "FAT" is lack or exercise & the electronic toys that they play with these days...what happened to getting out of school, going home to eat a snack, do homework, then go outdoors to play tag, ride your bike, or play a game of baseball/basketball with your friends, even the young ladies would play with their dollies outside. Oh! I know, its called both parents must work nowadays & the kids become latchkey kids. It is not our childrens fault that the lifestyle is changing to this, it is our fault for letting it happen. It is what happens when everyone feels that they must keep up with the Jones' rather than take care of the children they brought into this world. Get smart, better parenting is what we need, let the children enjoy what little customs we can still pass on to them, having candy/cupcakes once a month is not going to make them fat if we get them outdoors & play with them, keep them active. You can make these treats healthy too. I know, I do it for my grandkids all the time. Ever heard of splenda instead of sugar, non-sweetened caffiene free drinks- I have, & my grand kids enjoy celebrating the holidays just as I did when I was a child...long live the holiday spirit in America...Lord knows, we need it!!!
Hillary wrote on Feb 15, 2007 10:09 AM:See what a joy it is to be politically correct? Remember...do it for the children. Instead of a candy bar, try a nice T-Bone. It's good for cattle futures!
YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! wrote on Feb 15, 2007 10:15 AM:I find this hard to believe...no treats on holidays or during a birthday celebration...SUGGESTION-as a parent/grandparent...let these kids enjoy being kids, have a little treat once in awhile, there are sugar free treats out there...you can make cupcakes/cookies without sugar(splenda)...taste the exact same...I am teaching my young ones healthy eating too, but I still let them enjoy a good treat once in awhile as well...one must just teach them to have WILLPOWER to stop consuming a whole package or too many of thing, but do not make it sound as if they are gonna fall off the planet if they consume a few pieces of candy hearts or a cupcake made by a classmate...I think that does more damage than the treat itself...get real...worry about the real problems in the school systems...good teachers(drug test should be mandatory), current text books, more outdoor activities teaching a healthier way of life...afterall, all the doctors tell us that exercise is the key to a healthy life...eating right(its all about quantity)...knowledge is power. Teach our children well, but let it be fun!!!
MEatBOne wrote on Feb 15, 2007 10:21 AM:Great idea! And take all the candy out of the vending machines too! Instead, fill them with whole ears of corn and bbq'd pork chops! The kids need more MEAT and VEGGIES!
Suzie wrote on Feb 15, 2007 10:44 AM:This is stupidity run out of control. A candy on Valentine's day never resulted in anyone's obesity! If they want to teach nutrition, then they should not be teaching abstenence, good nutrition is not about "nevers", it is about moderation. In real life, we need to learn moderation, we aren't helping the children if we are teaching them "all or nothing". This would have been a great chance to talk about special treats and how they fit into life, and how it isn't special if you have it everyday.
Get the facts wrote on Feb 15, 2007 10:45 AM:The schools are simply following a state law that is going to be effective next school year; they are simply getting prepared a year early. Next year the state will mandate that all schools follow this nutritional guideline. And as for the school lunches...when was the last time you ate at your local school? They have some great nutritional choices, including salad that is very fresh!
jim wrote on Feb 15, 2007 11:23 AM:To Bella, As a 20 year teacher, I feel relatively confident when I say that these policies rarely orginate from teachers. These directives typically come from the state, county, or district level and are frequently in response to complaints from parents. Most teachers I know want to and do incorporate fun (reasonable and moderate) into the classroom, but these opportunities are diminishing due to various, and often-times politically correct reasons.
Bella wrote on Feb 15, 2007 11:41 AM:"Get the facts", I have seen the lunches that the schools offer and they're all the same, so my facts are straight. It's disgusting garbage and thats why I pack my childs lunch. Greasy burritos, greasy grilled cheese, moldy PB & J, Pizza days and all the rest of the junk they serve, and forcing children to drink their nasty milk in a disgusting pouch and not giving any other choice of drink, so please. If your schools salad is fresh, well then good for you. The school is great at over stepping their bounds and trying to do jobs that aren't theirs to do, yet can't seem to the job they are suppose to do right. If you feed them this junk everyday and can't even allow the children time to follow simple hygiene rules, then why are they in such a uproar over a piece of candy, doesn't make sense. Oh, and don't forget it's ok to sell pizza and soda after school, because thats raising money for the school, double standards, I think so.
Alf wrote on Feb 15, 2007 12:14 PM:"jim", say it is not so, a teacher advocating children have fun, how politically incorrect. We must send you to a proper reindoctrination. "Get the facts", on the one hand "policy and procedure" does come from above, but it can also be a cop-out. If there is a strong feeling about an issue, take it up that chain of command with requests and a true desire to understand why they are being grumps. It might be wise to ask the person at each and every level 2 questions - did they get offered a "salad that is very fresh" when they were kids and how would they have felt about it assuming that they could or would remember what it was like at that age.
Winston Churchill said: wrote on Feb 15, 2007 12:48 PM:If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law.
Rhonda wrote on Feb 15, 2007 12:57 PM:It's not about the candy. It's about more laws, rules, and regulations interferring with our lives. Parents are the ones to make the calls regarding what their children should or shouldn't eat. If you don't want them to have candy, then don't send it. We don't need the government running our lives any more than they alreay do.
Ken wrote on Feb 15, 2007 1:01 PM:"Theotis", Don't forget the salt, it makes the watermelon taste sweeter, of course you already knew that.
...???... wrote on Feb 15, 2007 1:11 PM:My gosh... What next??? Let kids be kids. Sugar hype's are a part of the happy life kids lead. By banning sweets from the schools doesn't mean they will stop. Remember they have to go home eventually. What is this country comming to. Now not even are kids are enjoying themselves. Let the government ruin our lives but leave the kids out of it.
Jake wrote on Feb 15, 2007 2:19 PM:Bella is dead on - what about the pizza and soda's sold on campus at athletic events? How does that fall thru the gap? I'll tell you how - because the school, directly or indirectly, benefits from it. I'm sure that the school distract would reverse this in a second if Pepsi came in to town and said that they wanted to build NFL class stadiums for the athletic teams, new state of the art libraries and Ritz Carlton style teacher "lounges". Remember, all you have to do is follow the money far enough, and you'll see how the district's decisions get made. I'd love to see a district official comment on the comments here - not a single positive one yet, so where's the support in the community at?
Roby wrote on Feb 15, 2007 2:28 PM:How sad....where were ALL of you with ALL of your opinions on Tuesday (TVUSD Budget & Facilities Public workshop)? Where are ALL of you on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of practially EVERY month (for school board meetings). They take away candy on a holiday & you're up in arms. They take away programs, don't allow the schools to SPEND the money they say they have on BASIC supplies & they stuff some of our kids into schools (at or over capacity) & NO ONE cares, its PITIFUL.
Common Sense wrote on Feb 15, 2007 3:41 PM:A little common sense here please! I get making lunches more nutritional-- they could use it. I get not rewarding good scores or behavior with candy. But we're not asking for parties with sweets everyday. We're asking for a few parties a year only: Halloween (oh, gosh, can't call it that as it might offend someone!), Xmas (oh my gosh, not a religious reference!), Valentines, Spring and end of year. Wow 5 days of cupcakes! We just might add to the obesity of children everywhere with 5 days of cupcakes! Stop going to the extreme. If you want to help curb obesity, let's talk high protein, low carb, low fat lunches (not pizza, chicken nuggets, waffles) and one full hour of aerobic exercise a day (not a week!). I thought our governor was a P.E. fanatic. Can't tell it by the lack of exercise our kids get at school!
8:00AM Peter wrote on Feb 15, 2007 3:41 PM:I think Mike's point about the teachers union is relevant. Several teachers seem to support the treats. However, I bet if they try to get their unions to fight the draconian regulations they would probably be asked to pay higher dues, since their dues are being misused for political agendas such as telling all communities how to run their schools.
Jeez! wrote on Feb 15, 2007 3:54 PM:Could school get anymore obnoxious? And, we wonder why our children are doing so poorly.. they don't get to play tag, if they have recess at all, they do not get to have art, music or sports....what else can we take away from our children.....I'm sure someone can think of something...we can't have them having any fun at school can we? I heard learning with fun actually works....guess that's being too practical for the schools out here in California...
Principal Skinner wrote on Feb 15, 2007 4:12 PM:What could be better than pizza? You have your four basic food groups in one meal, plus an enhanced cultural experience!
We had fun... wrote on Feb 15, 2007 6:00 PM:My class managed to celebrate the day with making cupcakes = state standard of a liquid changing into a solid. Also many grades have a state standard of learning about the holidays and customs of various cultures. Shh... we even decorated our cupcakes, BUT then we put them in a ziplock to eat at home where mom and dad could marvel at their decorating skills with soo many sprinkles on top. I agree that a cupcakes does not make a fat kid. My child loved reading all of her Valentine cards from her classmates. May the tradition of Valentine's Day continue! Good point Roby!
Ask wrote on Feb 15, 2007 6:19 PM:Sounds like something the Mo-Mo's would do! LOL, what a joke!!! The real data will come out in a few years when educators are trying to justify and put blame on others as to why this program failed and kids are fatter than ever.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN wrote on Feb 15, 2007 6:48 PM:Typical for parents to be unaware of school policy until FEBRUARY. This has been in place all year. However some groups seem to ger away with candygrams and other items. It depends on who is enforcing it. Hauser at CHS lets his kids eat soda and hotdogs all day. How's that for a grade?
Floyd wrote on Feb 15, 2007 8:09 PM:We expect the educators and the administrators (who are not "educators" no matter what they claim) to concentrate on education and provide an inviting environment for the kids. They don't appear to be doing either, in this case. Do we need yet another reason for school vouchers so the parents can choose an appropriate learning environment, or is this sufficient?
SCROOGE -- GET A CLUE! wrote on Feb 15, 2007 9:05 PM:and really check into the education you're kids are receiving at PRIVATE SCHOOL. It's same or worse than public -- for what, $5K+ a year???? Put it into a college fund -- wish I did!
Gary in Murrieta wrote on Feb 15, 2007 9:36 PM:Our children are enrolled in private schools in Temecula. My daughter had a special event at her school tonight, and my wife was telling me about the students and teachers. It seems that my wife has two friends who are teachers in Temecula and one friend who is a teacher in Murrieta. My wife who is also a Public school teacher, has one thing in common with all of her friends: Their kids all go to Private Schools! It is way past time for California to issue school vouchers, because public schools are not good enough for American students anymore.
Amazed wrote on Feb 18, 2007 9:02 AM:Anyone who thinks the no candy rule came from teachers is severely misinformed. Think before you blame! The no candy rule is fallout from the STATE's Wellness Policy which began in August of last year. All CA districts should be following the policy for the health of our children, Temecula is just a bit more zealous about its interpretation. Do teachers think it's a great policy? Mostly no, give the kids a break at least on holidays. But, if we want to keep our job, we do what we're told.
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