Dear Saint Charles Academy Families,
We have a new building-wide policy regarding birthday celebrations. For the
safety and well being of all students, we are no longer able to allow food treats to
be brought in.
Some of these considerations that went in to making this decision include:
➔ Safety and inclusion: With serving food to children we are aware of food
allergies and the potential for a life-threatening allergic reaction. These
reactions range from mild to severe and even fatal. The safety of all students
is one of our top priorities!
➔ Celebrating the child: We are able to celebrate your child and their
personality; what makes them unique and special to us all!
➔ COVID: We must regulate visitors, and the sharing of packages and food
increases the likelihood of spreading the virus.
Please know that we are not trying to take the fun out of birthdays. Classroom
teachers will continue to recognize children on their special day in special ways. If
you would still like to celebrate your child’s birthday at school, please see the
attached sheet for suggestions for non-food ways to do so. We just ask that you
always check with your child’s teacher prior to sending something in.
This is a learning process for all of us, but we trust that you understand how deeply
important it is to respect and adhere to these guidelines. The safety of all our
students is our utmost priority and we appreciate your cooperation and
understanding.
Thank you for your continued partnership!
Birthdays
● Non-Food Trinkets: Such as pencils, erasers, coloring books, etc.
● Book Donation: To our school library or their teacher’s classroom
library. We have special nameplates your child’s name can be put on to
be recognized.
● Board Game Donation: Classrooms are always looking for items to help
entertain students on those rough weather days where we need to remain
inside for recess. The office has nameplates that can be placed on the box
so that your child can be recognized.
● Recess Donation: Recess equipment gets used up quickly with students
using items daily. Donate a jump rope, basketball, soccer ball, etc. in your
child’s honor.
● Show and Tell: Ask your child’s teacher if your child may bring in special
items to show and tell their classmates about. Things such as baby photos,
or a souvenir from a vacation, etc. are fun ways to let their classmates and
teacher know more about them. Please nothing too valuable or breakable.
● Extra Recess: Celebrate with an extra recess to play outside with friends.
● Birthday Shirt: Send in a solid color t-shirt with your child or a special
birthday shirt for the birthday child with markers. Pass the shirt around
the classroom and let each child sign the shirt or add a birthday message.
This can be done the week before the birthday so the child can wear it on
their birthday. If not a t-shirt, use a plain tote bag or apron.
● Chalk Birthday Messages: Donate some chalk so the class can write
birthday messages on the playground.
● Dance Party: Celebrate with some appropriate favorite tunes!
● Non-Food Trinkets: Such as pencils, erasers, coloring books, etc.
● Book Donation: To our school library or their teacher’s classroom
library. We have special nameplates your child’s name can be put on to
be recognized.
● Board Game Donation: Classrooms are always looking for items to help
entertain students on those rough weather days where we need to remain
inside for recess. The office has nameplates that can be placed on the box
so that your child can be recognized.
● Recess Donation: Recess equipment gets used up quickly with students
using items daily. Donate a jump rope, basketball, soccer ball, etc. in your
child’s honor.
● Show and Tell: Ask your child’s teacher if your child may bring in special
items to show and tell their classmates about. Things such as baby photos,
or a souvenir from a vacation, etc. are fun ways to let their classmates and
teacher know more about them. Please nothing too valuable or breakable.
● Extra Recess: Celebrate with an extra recess to play outside with friends.
● Birthday Shirt: Send in a solid color t-shirt with your child or a special
birthday shirt for the birthday child with markers. Pass the shirt around
the classroom and let each child sign the shirt or add a birthday message.
This can be done the week before the birthday so the child can wear it on
their birthday. If not a t-shirt, use a plain tote bag or apron.
● Chalk Birthday Messages: Donate some chalk so the class can write
birthday messages on the playground.
● Dance Party: Celebrate with some appropriate favorite tunes!