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Healthy School Environment
Classroom Celebrations
To aid schools in selecting appropriate foods for classroom celebrations the following information is provided. Classroom celebrations in schools should encourage healthy choices and portion control. It is recommended that all foods be commercially prepared to avoid foodborne illness. In addition, the labels on prepackaged items provide valuable information for students with allergies and special diets.
Non-food ideas for celebrations can be:
- Invite a guest celebrity or parent to read to students.
- Play a short activity game.
- Give out party bags filled with pencils, stickers, novelty erasers, or notepads rather than candy.
- Sing songs.
- Make Play Dough or Silly Putty.
Popular healthy party snacks include:
- Bottled water. This is a great choice since there is no need to mix, pour or provide cups and ice. It is easy, the kids like it, and it encourages them to drink water.
- 100 % fruit juice. This is a good choice since it too can be offered in individual containers making it easier to serve.
- A lemonade or fruit drink made with artificial sweetener is an option.
- Cut-up fresh fruit.
- Whole wheat pita triangles.
- Assorted raw vegetables.
- Animal crackers.
- Baked chips.
- Cereal bars.
- Cereal mixes, such as Chex Mix.
- Cheese - wedges, string, sliced.
- Cookies, single-serve.
- Crackers and cheese.
- Ginger Snaps.
- Graham crackers, Goldfish or regular.
- Goldfish Crackers.
- Granola bars.
- Popcorn, plain or cheese.
- Pudding cups.
- Pretzels, soft or hard.
- Raisins.
- Salsa and chips.
- Tortilla chips.
- Mini cupcakes.
- Mini fruit muffins.
- Fruit and nut bread, such as banana bread.
Many of the above items are available for purchase from your school cafeteria. Check with your cafeteria manager or person-in-charge prior to the day you need the item(s) in order to assure availability.
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