
For some the 100th day of school has already passed, for some it occurs next week, either way, it’s here and many schools are marking this “important” day with food.
I am a member of many private Facebook pages specifically created as a safe haven for allergy parents and more and more I keep reading about food based celebrations happening and A) their child is left out because the food being used is one they are allergic too or B) the parent of the allergic child is going out and purchasing all of the supplies so their child can participate. Wow, I am not sure which is worse, being left out or having to pay for all of those Enjoy Life, Cherry Stone Kitchen and Divvies treats. Yes, I know, being left out is far worse.
What teachers, parents, schools and PTO’s need to start thinking about is how to hold the same types of celebrations without food! So here are my food free suggestions for the 100th day of school celebrations:
I am a member of many private Facebook pages specifically created as a safe haven for allergy parents and more and more I keep reading about food based celebrations happening and A) their child is left out because the food being used is one they are allergic too or B) the parent of the allergic child is going out and purchasing all of the supplies so their child can participate. Wow, I am not sure which is worse, being left out or having to pay for all of those Enjoy Life, Cherry Stone Kitchen and Divvies treats. Yes, I know, being left out is far worse.
What teachers, parents, schools and PTO’s need to start thinking about is how to hold the same types of celebrations without food! So here are my food free suggestions for the 100th day of school celebrations:
Each child brings in 100 pennies and donate the money to a local charity (my daughter’s school does this and its great!) check out one of my personal favorite charities End Allergies Together (E.A.T.) http://endallergiestogether.com
Decorate t-shirts with 100 stickers. On Amazon you can get over 5,000 for $13!
http://www.amazon.com/Awesome-Assortment-SuperSpots®-SuperShapes-Stickers/dp/B000Q6NH5I/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1454123144&sr=1-1&keywords=packs+of+stickers
Make necklaces with 100 plastic beads 11,000 beads for $13!
http://www.amazon.com/Perler-Beads-11-000-Count-Multi-Mix/dp/B0002YM0H0/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1454123238&sr=1-2&keywords=plastic+beads
Glue 100 wiggle eyes on a piece of paper (or better yet, stick them all over the playground and have the kids see how many they can find)!
http://www.amazon.com/Watch-them-wiggle-Black-PIECES/dp/B0074MHV7W/ref=sr_1_7?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1454123476&sr=1-7&keywords=pom+poms
Have the students, faculty and staff dress up like 100 year olds!
http://ideas.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/2014/01/18/simple-easy-100-year-old-lady-costume/
Give the principal or a special teacher 100 thank you notes made by the kids.
http://artsycraftsymom.com/last-minute-teachers-day-cards-gifts-to-make/
Collect 100 pairs of mittens and hats for families in need.
http://www.hatsandmittens.org
Don’t forget, to use temporary tattoos, bracelets or stickers to remind others of your child’s allergies during all classroom parties. One never knows when unsafe goodies will be brought in to the class.
Celebrating without food is doable, sometimes it just takes thinking out of the box (or doing a really thorough Google search). Just remember, no one needs to be left out and no one parent should have to buy all of the safe materials needed. Now, on to tackle Valentine’s Day!
Decorate t-shirts with 100 stickers. On Amazon you can get over 5,000 for $13!
http://www.amazon.com/Awesome-Assortment-SuperSpots®-SuperShapes-Stickers/dp/B000Q6NH5I/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1454123144&sr=1-1&keywords=packs+of+stickers
Make necklaces with 100 plastic beads 11,000 beads for $13!
http://www.amazon.com/Perler-Beads-11-000-Count-Multi-Mix/dp/B0002YM0H0/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1454123238&sr=1-2&keywords=plastic+beads
Glue 100 wiggle eyes on a piece of paper (or better yet, stick them all over the playground and have the kids see how many they can find)!
http://www.amazon.com/Watch-them-wiggle-Black-PIECES/dp/B0074MHV7W/ref=sr_1_7?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1454123476&sr=1-7&keywords=pom+poms
Have the students, faculty and staff dress up like 100 year olds!
http://ideas.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/2014/01/18/simple-easy-100-year-old-lady-costume/
Give the principal or a special teacher 100 thank you notes made by the kids.
http://artsycraftsymom.com/last-minute-teachers-day-cards-gifts-to-make/
Collect 100 pairs of mittens and hats for families in need.
http://www.hatsandmittens.org
Don’t forget, to use temporary tattoos, bracelets or stickers to remind others of your child’s allergies during all classroom parties. One never knows when unsafe goodies will be brought in to the class.
Celebrating without food is doable, sometimes it just takes thinking out of the box (or doing a really thorough Google search). Just remember, no one needs to be left out and no one parent should have to buy all of the safe materials needed. Now, on to tackle Valentine’s Day!