Classroom Party and Birthday Celebration Policy

Ladera Elementary School recognizes that birthdays are a special day for our students. We must also ensure that party celebrations do not disrupt the learning process. Additionally, Ladera Elementary School adheres to the Tustin Unified School District (TUSD’s) wellness policy that recognizes the importance of wellness, good nutrition and an active lifestyle in the overall health of our students. The school and our staff are responsible for positively influencing student beliefs and habits in these areas. Frequent birthday celebrations with cookies, cupcakes and other sweets are not in alignment with these learning goals.

Each Ladera Elementary School class is permitted to have a maximum of four classroom parties each school -year. Effective September, 2008, student birthdays will be celebrated as a part of these events. Each teacher is responsible for determining which birthday dates will fall into each celebration. For these four celebrations only, the food served in the classroom may include cookies, cake and other foods that are not within the wellness policy guidelines. This program will also make it much easier for children with summer birthdays who have often felt left out of an opportunity to have their birthday recognized in their class.

Please note that the Ladera Library will continue the “Birthday Book Club” Program which allows a birthday child to donate a book and receive special recognition on one of their class library days to celebrate their birthday.

If you have any questions regarding the school’s classroom party/birthday celebration policy, please contact Derek Pinto, Ladera Elementary School Principal at dapinto@tustin.k12.ca.us or at 714-730-7505.