CHARLESTON, W.Va. – It’s been dubbed the “Cupcake bill.” Randolph County Delegate Denise Campbell introduced the legislation this session that calls for the West Virginia Department of Education to ease up a bit on their dietary restrictions for classroom celebrations.
Campbell admitted she’s taken some flack for the bill.
“Even though I know it does not meet the level of the water issue in Charleston and some of the other bills that we’ve taken up, this is important to children. This is important to the parents and it’s important to the teachers,” stressed Campbell.
Back in 2008, Congress passed the Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention America Act or HeLP. It required schools to provide healthier breakfast and lunch food. The West Virginia Department of Education took an additional step prohibiting calorie-laden snacks for school parties.
Campbell felt the state went too far
“I’ve heard parents year after year. They say ‘I can’t believe what [students] have to have as a party!'”
The delegate said the menu at her son’s school Christmas party proved her point.
“A bottle of water, a whole orange and some pretzels.”
Gone are the days of moms making cupcakes and cookies. In fact, parents can’t prepare any party food for schools events outside the cafeteria.
Campbell explained her bill would allow the faculty senate, principal and parents, at a school, to work together to come up with a healthy but tasty menu to celebrate special occasions.
“It allows the parents to be involved again,” she said.
There’s also a lesson to be learned according to Campbell.
“The whole purpose of this is that we need to teach our children moderation.”
The bill passed the House Wednesday. It’s now in the Senate.