Reason to Celebrate
Celebrations
Getting Started
Celebrations like birthdays, holidays and end-of-year parties often involve foods and drinks that are high in sugar, saturated fat, salt with few nutrients. Tying less nutritious food to celebrations sends the message that fun and ‘treats’ go together. This can lead to eating more of these foods (and fewer nutritious foods) in an attempt to be happy. Improving the quality of food (or removing food), helps prevent this from happening, puts the focus on the real reason for the celebration, and is how to earn this badge!
Steps To Earn This Badge
Step 1 - Ask the Students
Talk to students about the celebrations that happen at school. Ask them what they like about them and how they can be improved. Find out what they think about the food and beverages offered. Is it necessary to offer food and beverages? Could the choices be improved?
Step 2 - Start a Conversation
Talk to school council, students and staff about what they like about school/classroom celebrations and how they can be improved. Discuss why it is a good idea to make changes and brainstorm ideas at a staff meeting, school council or parent-teacher events (see Learn More).
Step 3 - Do a Nutrition Checkup
If you decide that food is necessary at celebrations, use the Tips for Celebrations (see Helpful Tools and Activities) to make the menu more nutritious (e.g. serve fruit and/or veggies at all celebrations). These tips must be followed to earn this badge!
Step 4 - Make it Fun
Now that you have made improvements to your celebration(s), it's time to have some fun! Choose at least one of the activities below to get everyone excited about the new and improved celebrations, or come up with your own fun idea!
Badge Inspiration
- Innovative and inspirational ideas submitted from schools across the province!
- Tell others about your commitment to nutrition at your celebrations (e.g. through the school newsletter or website)
- Ask for student volunteers to talk about their commitment to nutrition during celebrations (e.g. during morning announcements)
- Have students create a video challenging another school to celebrate with wholesome and nutritious options
- Create a ‘Celebrate Me’ book where classmates write stories or poems and draw pictures to describe what is special about their friends
- For birthdays of younger students, let the birthday student:
- Be the teacher’s assistant for the day, helping with deliveries to the office or choosing a game or story
- Visit the principal’s office for a birthday surprise (special pencil, button, sticker, etc.)
- Wear a special sign, sash, crown, button or badge
