OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Some Osceola County parents will have to be careful with the birthday treats they send to school with their children.
Channel 9 learned one school changed its policy this year, and some parents say the school has overstepped its limits.
A letter sent home to students at Celebration K-8 School said to only send mini cupcakes, muffins or donut holes, to help with portion control.
“I was angry. Extremely angry. Because the school is telling me how to feed my children and that’s none of their business,” said parent Debi Wisneski.
She called it a one-size-fits-all approaclh to children who are anything but.
“What you send in is completely up to you, but children love cupcakes,” Wisneski said.
She said the store-bought varieties are always going to be high in sugar, dyes and preservatives.
She’d make them from scratch to clean things up, but school policy requires a trip to the store and a label showing the ingredients.
“I really love the changes, because the changes are looking out for the kids,” said parent Silvia Joo.
Some other parents agreed.
“I can do my part of healthy food at home, but why not work together?” said Viviane Ricci.
“For birthday parties, the foods are much healthier. They get fruits, they get veggies,” said parent Laure Dejeant.
The school cafeteria got in on this year’s changes.
According to the letter, parents can order individual fruit cups and bran muffins straight to a child’s classroom party.
“Everybody wants healthy kids. There’s no question about that. It’s just the way that they’re doing it is not the right way,” said Wisneski.
Osceola County Public Schools has a uniform policy about bringing in homemade foods, but the portion control issue is something Celebration K-8 did on its own.
WFTV
