Hildreth Elementary students will no longer be allowed to celebrate their birthdays in class with cupcakes, cookies, or any other edible treat. Newly appointed Principal Linda Dwight announced the policy change in a message Aug. 9 sent via the Edline system.

"Increasingly more students are coming to school with severe food allergies. Some are so life threatening that we must take extra precautions," Dwight wrote in her message. "Starting [Aug. 30], please celebrate your child's birthday in a way that does not include food items in school."

Dwight started work in Harvard last month. Her previous post was as an elementary school principal in the Pequea Valley School District in Pennsylvania.

In the past, any student who was having a birthday was allowed to bring in a food item to share with his or her classmates. The treats were usually sugary confections like cupcakes or cookies. Generally, a mini-party took place during the regularly scheduled classroom snack time.

In Dwight's official announcement, she tells parents they are welcome to join their children for lunch at school on their special day, or they may send in an inexpensive non-food item for students to share with classmates.

Many Massachusetts schools, including those in the neighboring towns of Bolton, Lancaster, and Stow also enforce a strict no-food celebration policy and address it in their school handbooks. Dwight's last school, in Pennsylvania, implemented the policy five years ago.

"We changed the celebration of birthdays because we are still able to honor students' special day without food treats," Dwight told the Press. "By eliminating food we reduce the risk of students' allergic reactions. We also create a more inclusive classroom environment. As many of the birthday treats are high in sugar and fat, without them we are creating a healthier learning environment."

Testimonies from local families influenced her decision, Dwight said.

"One mother said that her child struggles with weight issues and the high sugar foods were too tempting," she said. "Another parent shared that her child has felt excluded and hurt even though the family provided alternative treats. Another family expressed their relief that they will no longer have to worry about this part of the school experience. A parent referenced an allergic reaction which occurred at school from a birthday treat."

Generally, Dwight said, she has received positive feedback from parents.

Ruth Lovett-Smith, a mother of two Hildreth Elementary School students, the founder and editor of Best Allergy Sites, and a member of the board of directors of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's New England chapter, said the decision was long overdue.

"As a mother of a child with food allergies, I'm thrilled with Dr. Dwight's new food policy," Lovett-Smith said. "Numerous schools in the area have already made this change, which is encouraged by the Massachusetts Department of Education in the 'Managing Life Threatening Food Allergies in Schools' guidelines. This new policy benefits not just those with food allergies, but those with other health and dietary restrictions as well."

There have been no official faculty or staff meetings at the elementary school since the policy change and, therefore, Dwight said, she has received no formal feedback from teachers. The Press did speak to several teachers, all of whom were supportive of the new regulation.

Hildreth Elementary School third grade teacher and Harvard resident Maryann Cheveralls said there are many ways to recognize students without including food.

"Food allergies are a major concern. It is especially difficult if the item brought in is not homemade," Cheveralls said. "We don't always know the ingredients and inevitably someone is left out. Another factor is time. Even a small celebration if done regularly cuts into our time for school work. I think there are a lot of other options besides food. As teachers we have a lot of resources including the whiteboards in our classrooms. I know many teachers now who put a special display for students on that. Also, Dr. Dwight made many great alternative suggestions for families."

In her Edline announcement, Dwight lists alternatives to food, including pencils, stickers, erasers, or other school supplies. She also recommends purchasing a book for the school's library collection. An honorary book plate affixed to the inside cover would commemorate a student's birthday.

Dwight said anyone with questions and concerns about the new policy can contact her at 978-456-4145 or at ldwight@psharvard.org.