O. C. Taylor Elementary Birthday Treat Procedures

Daily Snacks

We have several students with significant nut allergies (both tree and peanuts), and students with mild nut allergies in almost every classroom this year.  Please do not send your child to school with a nut-based snack for the classroom. This includes all types of nuts, butters, etc. If you have a question about a classroom snack, please ask your child’s homeroom teacher.

Birthday celebrations in the classroom 

Treats for birthdays will only be passed out if they are store bought and  individually packaged with nutritional labeling. This allows the staff to determine such things as ingredients for food allergies as well as count carbs for diabetic students.  It is not appropriate to bring homemade treats for other students to eat when it is your child’s birthday. All birthday treats will be distributed at the end of the school day.


Suggested individually package items include:

  • 100 Calorie Snack Packs  
  • Rice Krispie Treats
  • Teddy Grahams
  • Potato Chips
  • Pretzels
  • Goldfish

Not Appropriate (because they are not individually wrapped and do not have nutritional labeling):

  • Donuts
  • Cupcakes
  • Cookies

     

Alternatives to food for individual birthday treats:

  • Gel pens
  • Pencil toppers
  • Note pads
  • Stickers
  • Other fun school supplies

Alternatives to food for whole-class birthday treats:

Consider donating something to the classroom for all the students to use in honor of your child’s birthday. Items like:

  • a set of fancy markers
  • new crayons

We are trying to find the safest, most efficient way to continue having birthday celebrations at school while still making this a special day for your child.  We appreciate your support!

VOLUNTEER:

Each teacher utilizes volunteers in a different way. Some opportunities may include:

• Working with small groups playing an educational game

• Assisting teachers with classroom jobs such as die cutting, sharpening pencils, etc. • Reading to the class

• Attending a field trip as a chaperone

PLEASE NOTE: GCISD requires ALL volunteers & chaperones to complete a background check EACH YEAR. To avoid a delay in your volunteer status, please visit App-Garden Volunteer Background to complete the form. Failure to do so will result in a parent being UNABLE to attend a field trip or volunteer in the classroom.