Jim Lalik, Principal  248.203.4325  Fax: 248.203.4393  jl04bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us
1829 Pierce Street, Birmingham, MI 48009
SNACKS TO REFUEL THE BRAIN
There is a wealth of information linking academic performance and classroom behavior to healthy physical
activity and healthy eating. In order to foster a positive learning environment for our kids, we have been
working towards an increase in daily activity for the students—even in cold, rainy weather. Efforts have been
made at a district-level to continue to improve the quality of nutrition provided through the cafeteria lunch
program. A district-wide policy to eliminate food-as-reward is being more strongly reinforced. There is a
grade-appropriate curriculum in place to teach students about healthy life-style choices—including foods and
snacks.
Additionally, there are an increasing number of children with food allergies in our school—mostly to nuts--who
are at high risk for potentially life-threatening allergy attacks if exposed, even casually, to the allergens.
In keeping with efforts to encourage the students to make good nutrition choices, and to prevent the
unintentional exposure of a child to a hidden allergen, a new snack policy will be implemented at Pierce
starting in the 2010-2011 calendar year.
Students will be asked to bring mostly fresh snacks. A list of suggestions is attached, with fruits and
vegetables, cheese sticks and hard boiled eggs as examples of foods that provide good quality calories and are
safe for consumption by most.
Too many prepackaged items have added sugars and fats that actually impair focusing ability. Furthermore,
from a safety standpoint, many of these prepackaged snacks are cross-contaminated with nut products which
can be highly dangerous in nut-free environments.
Other schools across the country, the state and in the district have implemented these snack policies with much
success and we hope to do so ourselves. We need to continue to make our school a safe and great place to learn
and to teach our kids to make good life-style choices that will stay with them throughout their lives and make
them healthy adults.
BRAIN BREAK IDEAS
Be sure to read labels and avoid hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, added sugar, food coloring, msg,
artificial flavors or colors. Please avoid cookies, cakes, candy, etc that are full of unnecessary sugar.
 FRESH FRUIT (grapes, berries, apples, pears, bananas, melon, watermelon etc)
 VEGGIES (peppers, carrots, celery, cucumber, grape tomatoes, etc)
 HUMMUS OR RANCH (as a dip for veggies)
 DRIED FRUIT (raisins, cranberries, cherries, etc)
 CHEESE (cubes, string, sticks, etc)
 TURKEY or HAM SLICES / HARD BOILED EGGS
 POPCORN / VEGGIE CHIPS OR STRAWS
 YOGURT / APPLE SAUCE CUPS
 FRUIT LEATHERS / WHOLE GRAIN CEREAL BARS
 WHOLE GRAIN CRACKERS or PRETZELS
Nut Free Birthday or Party Treats
The Brain Break Snacks are for the daily snack you provide for your child. Below is a suggested list for nut free treats to consider
when providing a Birthday or Party treat for the class. All treats in the classroom must be nut free.
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CANDY:
Betty Crocker Fruit by the foot
Fruit Gushers (Not the “G Force” line)
Twizzlers Licorice
Sunkist Fruit Gems
Hershey Kisses (Plain silver only)
York Peppermint Patties
Starburst
Skittles
Smarties
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CHIPS:
Cheezits
Cape Cod Potato Chips
Pringles
Frito Lay Tostitos
Sun Chips Original Flavor
Krogers Pretzels
Better Made Prezels
Ritz Original Crackers
Orville Redenbacher Microwave Popcorn
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COOKIES AND DONUTS:
Nabisco Vanilla Wafers
Nabisco Chocolate Chip Ahoy Cookies
Nabisco Oreo Cookies
Nabisco Fig Newtons
Honey Maid Graham Crackers
Teddy Grahams
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ICE CREAM AND POPSICLES:
Philly Swirl Frozen Push Ups
Nestle Push Ups
Klondike Oreo
Popsicle brand popsicles
Breyer’s Vanilla Ice cream