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HCPSS POLICY 9090 Wellness through Nutrition and Physical Activity

The Viking Backers, Mt. Hebron’s PTSA, and the PTA Council of Howard County, opposes the draft language in Policy 9090 that requires any foods sold or given away to students by any organization like PTAs, Boosters, and other Parent-Support Groups be regulated by yet unwritten HCPSS Nutritional Guidelines.  This draft language includes any after-school or weekend events.  The policy would become effective July 1, 2013

We are opposed to this mandate for three reasons:

1. Parental Choice – it removes from parents the responsibility and ability to determine what food items their children can eat and in what situations.  Furthermore, our organizations already offer alternatives like fruits or other items that are peanut-free, sugar-free, low-fat, non-pork to satisfy a variety of dietary needs and preferences.  We prefer choices not mandates.

2. Student Attendance at events – mandating what type of food we cannot and can serve at school Dances, Sport Team Banquets, Senior Crab Feast, After Prom, Spring Carnivals, Ice Cream Socials etc. will negatively impact student attendance and participation.  Students attend our events because we offer certain foods.  If not at our events, where will they be?  In situations that are less supervised and less safe.

3. Fundraising – mandating food served at the Concession stands (sports, school play, or concerts) or at-school fundraisers like the Homecoming Pancake Breakfast, the Boys’ Lacrosse Lasagna Dinner, Indoor Track & Field’s Waffle Truck, PAAS’ Snow Cone Truck will reduce the money raised for school programs, clubs, teams, the arts and student scholarship funds.  Mandating foods will leave these student groups and programs without adequate resources.  No replacement funds are in HCPSS’ budget.

Our groups are asking the BOE to reject the mandate and exempt/exclude the foods sold or given away at after-school and weekend events by PTAs/Boosters/Parent-Support organizations from Wellness Policy 9090 and its unwritten HCPSS Nutritional Guidelines.

Agree or disagree, email the Board your opinion at BOE@hcpss.org and superintendent@hcpss.org by Thursday, May 9, 2013 prior to their scheduled work-session.  On Mt. Hebron’s PTSA website, http://www.mhhsptsa.com/, you’ll find an e-mail that was sent to the Board as well as a sample letter for you to use.

50 audience members wearing Mt. Hebron colors are needed on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 7:30 pm to sit in the audience.  No testifying needed.  To sign up, click the following link:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4AA4A82D6-wellness