Let's get serious. Having just worked hard to lose a lot of weight, I totally get the healthy living bit. Even though I still have more to lose, I also know it is o.k. to have a bit a candy every now and then. These blanket bans just prove that there is no common sense left in many policy makers.

An example of this lack of common sense was recently in the news with the six year old sent to reform school for taking a scouting eating utensil to school lunch. Unfortunately, that wasn't the first such story.

There needs to be some common sense in education. How do we teach moderation when we say "zero tolerance for candy." Prohibition did work when the country tried that. Anyone who seriously thinks candy on Halloween, Easter, or Christmas will lead to or alter kids eating habits needs a dose of reality.

Obviously I meant "prohibition did not work."

Darn, after all the times I've told my students to proofread.

I think part of it, more than just the health issue, is that we have so many religions from different countries, with different beliefs, and we have to be respectful of those families who chose not to celebrate Halloween. It is really hard, especially in elem. school to explain to a student why everyone else in the class gets candy, but they don't.

I believe it is the parents' prerogative to decide whether candy is offered and consumed by their children, not school staff or Parent Teacher Associations. At this time of year, it's a battle to keep candy consumption at a reasonable level and parents don't need schools issuing mixed messages about healthy eating. The excuse that we need to "let kids be kids" could be equally used for "let schools be schools" and not party central. Kids get enough opportunities outside of school to gorge themselves on sweet stuff, especially at Halloween. I like that schooling here is less academic and more play based for the younger children than in the UK where I am originally from, but I also like the fact that, in the UK, school is a place for learning, not partying every week. I cannot believe the amount of rubbish food items I see in school here, from party food to the stuff that kids bring in for snacks and lunches, and yes, even school provided lunch. It's truly mind boggling what fuels these kids through their day (or more typically causes enormous blood sugar swings and puts them to sleep!) Parties can be fun without being food based and that's what we should be concentrating on. Leave it to the parents to sugar their kids up - teachers don't need the expense or the fallout in behavior.

One Day

Halloween is one day of the year, we can't let our students have some candy one day a year? Where is the fun in being a kid if you aren't able to celebrate? I don't think treats should be banned entirely, there can be changes made instead. Teaching our kids that Halloween is a fun time that can be celebrated with healthy snacks is important. Or, I let my students bring candy for Halloween, but in school they can only eat a few items and take the rest home. Then, it is up to the parents to decide when, where, and how much is ate. As Americans, we tend to use food during our celebrations - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc. It is just something we seem to do, but we can teach our students moderation and/or how to consume healthy foods when enjoying others company. So I say yes to candy in moderation and yes to healthy snacks as an alternative. No to doing away with Halloween in schools altogether.

Halloween is one day. We can't let our kids have candy one day a year? Where is the fun in being a child if you can't celebrate Halloween in school? I'm not saying we should let our students stuff themselves to the brim. Having students bring a healthy snack to share instead is a great idea, or moderating how much is ate in school is another. I let my students bring candy, but can only eat a few pieces in school. They take the rest home so the parents are the ones in charge of how much, where, and when the candy is ate. As Americans, we tend to use food in our celebrations- Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays, etc. I don't think it should be banned, but helping our students make healthy choices is important. I say yes to candy in moderation, yes to bringing healthy snacks instead, and no to banning Halloween in schools altogether.

The fact that we all are different is the genius of this country. We need to point that out to our students and show them that it's okay to be different! Don't try to pretend that there are not differences.
This is why multi-culturalism is a failure. It does not promote unity, it promotes the exact opposite. The term melting pot was/is much more beneficial. We need to blend the unique qualities in all of us to make a more accepting society.
That's what is means to be truly American.

It is unfortunate that sometimes feeling get hurt, but we learn by experiences different from our own. That will ultimately make us stronger.

I'm not surprised that most people voted "no". And we wonder why our country is so obese and rampant with hyperactive kids who have been misdiagnosed with ADHD. If we start feeding our students healthy lunches in school (and that will only happen when the school boards and politicians get the snack companies out of their back pockets) and do without snacks and candy, then we will have much better behaved students, not to mention cleaner schools. If my students were allowed Halloween candy, the wrappers would be everywhere.

The students will have plenty of opportunities outside of school to eat their precious candy and get stomachaches. We don't need it in the schools.

We forget to look at special occasions from the student's point of view. We are so wrapped up in keeping them safe in their bubble that we forget what makes life fun. So they have some candy one day a year? I bet everyone of us splurges on something every once in a while- clothes, food, candy, etc.

If students are bringing their own Halloween candy for their own consumption, the school norms as to what, when and where they can eat their own food should govern.

If students are bringing Halloween candy for the consumption of other members of the class, then certain guidelines need to be put into place that specifically identify: (1) what type of candy or treat that is permitted to be brought to school; (2) what type of candy or treat that is not permitted to be brought to school;(3) the amount of candy or treats that can be brought onto the campus; and (4) and where the candy and treats are required to be kept prior to distribution.

We want to keep students safe, so commercially made and wrapped candy may be required to be brought in an unopended bag before distribution. Unfortunately, we annually have issues with candy that is adulterated or worse and it may be possible for children to unknowingly bring such candy onto campus for distribution amongst the class absent some rules. Gum and certain types of candies are generally not permitted on campuses period, these rules should be reinforced. Homemade or bakery treats should also be included in this discussion. The amount of candy or treats may be clarified so a contributor must bring at least one candy per student in their class so all get to participate. Keeping control over the candy and treats prior to distribution verifies the application of the previous guidelines and safety of the children.

Preplanning may enable students to take school notices home to their parents about the class or school rules and explain about the planned celebration. The notice can also answer expected questions - e.g., Is my child allowed to wear their Halloween costume to school? There may also be "healthy" candy or treat suggestions included in the notice. The teacher may want to have diabetic candy on hand for an "exchange" if diabetic candy is not already provided by a student within a class. If any parent objects to their child having involvement in the event or if the parent wants to become involved in helping the school enhance the event, the notice can be tailored to serve both functions.

Plan a fun and balanced Halloween celebration that ties in with a school wide approach to the holiday - but lead on the issue for a safe and enjoyable experience for all concerned.