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Guidelines for Healthy Classroom Snacks

 Class Celebrations

Celebrations are a great way for children to feel part of the school community, and the Tigard-Tualatin School District supports these opportunities for recognition and parent involvement. Traditionally, food has been an important part of celebrating, including cupcakes, cookies, candy, and high-sugar beverages. The state of Oregon has set the “Oregon Smart Snack Standard” as the nutritional guideline for foods offered on the school campus, including celebrations, rewards, and snacks, and the TTSD Local Wellness Program-EFA policy follows the Oregon Smart Snack standard. For more information got to the Oregon Snack Standards web page.

When planning for celebrations, please consider utilizing non-food celebration ideas and healthy snacks for birthday celebrations, classroom parties, and classroom snacks in place of traditional snacks.

Non-Food Options for Classroom Celebrations & Parties:

  • Add an extra recess.
  • Turn on some music and dance.
  • Have extra art or music time.
  • Plan a thematic craft for the party (painting pumpkins for a harvest party, Valentine boxes)
  • Play party games.
  • Have a scavenger hunt.
  • Provide a free choice activity
  • Fun movie
  • Drawings for donated items
  • Celebrate all monthly birthdays with open gym time.
  • Wear a special crown, sash, button or badge all day.
  • Donate and/or read a favorite book to the class
  • Choose the class music for writing or study time
  • Choose a game or activity for the last few minutes of school.
  • Give a birthday certificate.


Healthy Snack Options (Look online to see new Smart Snack options developed over the past year by many national brands)

  • Fresh Fruits - apples, apricots, berries, grapes, kiwi, mango, melon, nectarine, orange, peach, pear, pineapple, plum
  • Dried Fruits and 100% fruit leathers
  • Unsweetened applesauce
  • 100% fruit popsicles
  • Raw vegetables (low-fat dip, salsa, or hummus)
  • Popcorn- air-popped or low-fat microwave
  • Whole grain pretzels
  • Yogurt covered pretzels/raisins
  • Crackers - Graham crackers, Triscuits, wheat thins, vegetable thin, Cheez-Its, cheese nips, Ritz crackers, saltines, oyster crackers, Wheatables, air crisps, Goldfish crackers
  • Pirate Booty, Low-fat breakfast granola bars
  • Wholegrain Pita
  • Baked tortilla chips or soy chips
  • Protein - string cheese, low-fat yogurt, individual cups, drinkable yogurt or smoothies, cottage cheese

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.