School Wellness | Classroom Snacks & Treats

The Lake Country School District promotes a healthy school environment for students and staff through education and awareness, and by providing and promoting healthy options and opportunities.  The Lake Country School District will practice and promote good nutrition within the school setting.  Students who practice good nutrition attend school with minds and bodies ready to take advantage of their learning environment.  Eating habits are learned early in life.  Therefore, the School Board, administrators and staff support a school environment that promotes and encourages lifelong nutritious eating habits.

Per policy 458 School Wellness: 

• We must ensure that all school activities, including classroom practices and incentives, are consistent with the sound nutrition practices taught in the classroom and implemented in the school meal program. 
• In the classroom, the district encourages that foods that are offered meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards including those provided at celebrations and parties and classroom snacks brought by staff or family members.
• In the classroom, food should not be used as a reward. We strongly recommend staff use physical activity such as an extra recess as a reward when feasible. 
• In the classroom, non-food celebrations will be promoted and a list of allowable party foods that meet the Smart Snack standards will be available to staff and family members. 
  • Sugary birthday treats will not be consumed in the classroom. If they are brought to school individually wrapped, they can be sent home with each student. If the treats are not individually wrapped the parent/guardian who sent the treat to school will be contacted to pick them up. 

Non-Food Treat Ideas

Mini Play-Doh * Stickers * Bubbles * Funky Straws * Pencil Toppers * Fun Erasers * Bookmarks * Glitter Pens * Colored Pens * Backpack Decorations (patches, key chains) * Friendship Bracelets * Slap Bracelets * Seed Packets * Temporary Tattoos * Mini Flashlights * Bendy or Other Fun Pencils * Super Hero or Animal Masks * Scented Markers 

Healthy Treat Ideas

• Fruit smoothies (made with frozen fruit with no added sugar and fat-free or low fat yogurt) 
• 100% fruit juice slushes with no added sugar 
• Grapes, apples, tangerines, bananas and pears are the perfect portable fresh fruit treat in trays, salads, or kabobs
• Combine fresh fruit and vegetables in individual servings.
• Sliced vegetables and crackers with hummus
• Fat-free or low-fat yogurt (alone or as dip for fruits or vegetables) 
• Yogurt parfaits or bowls (fat-free or low-fat yogurt, fruit, and whole grain cereal or granola as topping) 
• Canned fruit or fruit cups (in water, 100% fruit juice or light syrup) 
• Frosty fruits - Frozen fruit or fruit cups (in water, 100% fruit juice or light syrup) 
• Whole grain crackers and cheese slices
• Hummus (serve with vegetables or whole grain crackers) 
• Small whole grain waffles or pancakes topped with fruit
• Whole grain pretzels (soft or crunchy) 
• Popcorn (no added butter or salt) 
• Graham crackers 
• Pizza bites
• Roll-ups on whole grain tortillas (fill with a lean protein such as ham or turkey, low fat cheese, hummus)
• Fat-free or low fat pudding 
• Whole grain cereal bars 
• Baked whole grain tortilla chips with salsa, guacamole, or bean dip 
• Baked chips
• 100 calorie packs 
• Fill pita pockets with veggies
• Boxed raisins and other dried fruits
• Fig Newtons
• Google search "USDA Smart Snack popsicles"

When you volunteer, please make sure that you are not bringing younger siblings to the school campus. This policy pertains to lunchroom volunteers, recess volunteers, holiday parties, classroom celebrations, etc. This is a liability and safety issue. School district procedures prohibit non-enrolled children from being on a school campus during school hours.