Dear Coyote Creek Families,

The safety of our children is of utmost importance and unfortunately food treats are not an option for birthdays.  

We have many students with a wide range of severe, life threatening allergies to various nuts, milk products, wheat, soy, strawberries, kiwi, and much more. Although we are very diligent about monitoring the treats that come into the office it is exceedingly difficult to verify the ingredients in every food product that is brought to school. Children have had life threatening allergic reactions at school to food products that have been brought to school to share on special occasions.

One of the milestones each year for your child is celebrating their birthday. Teachers honor children in the classroom on their special day in a variety of ways. The entire staff, attired in birthday hats, takes an annual photo, which is displayed above the published list of monthly birthdays in the lobby.  As a school community, we would like to restructure the celebration of birthdays and honor your child’s special day in a different way.

We have provided the list below as other choices for honoring your children on their special day:

• Donate a book to the school library or classroom in honor of your child’s birthday with his/her name inside.
• Have your child bring their favorite book to share and the teacher or child will read it to the class.
• Donate a ball or jump rope (new or used) to the classroom for recess.
• Provide each student in class with a colorful pencil, stickers or eraser.
• Choose favorite song or musical piece to sing or play for the class
• Bring simple goodie bags for the class with safe items (no balloons, pop rocks, etc).

We appreciate your support and understanding as we continue to reflect on how to provide all students with a safe and healthy environment.  A simple change in policy, which will continue to allow children to be honored on their birthday, is the prudent action to take.  We welcome any suggestions for simple, yet meaningful ways to recognize your child’s birthday.

Respectfully,

Marsha Tokuyoshi and the Coyote Creek Staff