We recognize the importance of healthy snacks along with celebrating student birthdays and certainly want to continue this tradition at Norwich. However, to continue to be good stewards of our school facility and to serve as role models for our students when making nutritional decisions and to be responsive to those children who have food allergies or other dietary restrictions, we have implemented the following policies with regards to snacks and birthday treats at school.

**If your child’s teacher allows snacks during the school day, students in all grades will bring their own snacks from home. This is to ensure that each child has food that is safe for him/her. Please only send dry snacks such as pretzels, granola bars, raisins, etc. Fruit cups, applesauce, yogurt and pudding cups are not permitted. If it must be eaten with a spoon, it is not permitted.

**We will allow birthday celebrations with food to be brought in only if PRIOR arrangements have been made with the teacher.

**Juice, punch and soda are not permitted. Only water is permitted outside of the cafeteria.

**These guidelines and rules will apply for classroom parties.

**Treats with icing are not permitted. Cakes and cupcakes are not permitted at school. Popsicles are not permitted (unless used for special outside events).

**In keeping with our goal of promoting wellness with our students, we encourage parents to consider a ‘healthy snack option’ such as fruit, crackers, gold fish, etc. Other birthday treat options include cookies, Rice Krispy Treats, etc. See attached ideas: Non-food celebrations and reward ideas for elementary schools (2)

**Treats should be cut or separated before sending to school to assist teachers in passing them out to students.

**To protect classrooms from interruptions and to protect important instructional time, students will NOT be permitted to take treats around the building during the school day. If you would like to help your child pass out treats to other teachers after school, you are permitted to do that. As always, please sign in at the office before doing so.

**Non-food treats will be limited to one item and may not be balloons. Please remember that due to certain latex allergies, balloons are never permitted in the school.

**These guidelines apply for any groups using our building after school hours or for any activities taking place after school (i.e. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Tutoring, PTO, etc.)

We appreciate your support and understanding as we continue to reflect on how to provide all students with a safe and healthy environment while being good stewards of our school facility. Please sign the below acknowledgement form and return to school with your child. If you have questions, please contact the school office at 921-6000.