Allergy and
Wellness Policy.
Wellness at Odyssey Charter School
Our wellness initiatives are an essential element of our school curriculum and impact every child every day during classroom instruction, physical education classes, and recess. We know there is a strong correlation between healthy eating and living, and academic performance. We are committed to maintaining a healthy, safe learning environment for all students.
Food Allergy Policy
Odyssey Charter School has adopted a Food Allergy Policy which states that all food sent in to share with students must be pre-packaged and contain a commercial ingredient label. No homemade food items are allowed.
This policy protects students with food allergies and ensures that all shared foods meet safety and nutrition standards.
School-Wide Celebrations
If you are asked to send in a treat for a classroom celebration (such as the 100th day of school, holiday celebrations aligned to the curriculum, or other special events), please work with your child's teacher to assure compliance with "Odyssey's Guidelines for Managing Students with Food Allergies" and other related nutrition mandates.
Your teacher will provide specific guidance on approved items for each celebration to ensure all students can safely participate.
Birthday Celebrations
In keeping with our wellness initiatives and Odyssey's commitment to providing a safe learning environment for all students, individual student birthdays will not be celebrated with food.
Please do not send food items (such as cupcakes, cookies, rice crispy treats, etc.) in with your child as they will not be distributed.
Goody Bags
Goody bags may be sent in for your child's classmates to take home, but must not contain any food items. Examples of accepted goody items are:
- Pencils
- Stickers
- Erasers
- Small toys or party favors
Birthday Acknowledgment: Grade levels will determine how birthdays will be acknowledged and will share this information with families.
Snacks and Lunch
We know that students perform better when they feed their brains and are well hydrated. When sending snacks and lunch:
- Be mindful of students in the class who may have allergies to peanuts, nuts, fish, shellfish, or other common allergens
- Read ingredient labels carefully to ensure items are allergen-free or clearly labeled
- Reinforce with your child that snacks and lunch items are not meant to be shared with friends unless it is a classroom celebration
- Hydration: Students are encouraged to bring water bottles daily so they remain hydrated throughout the day
Partnership and Support
We appreciate your ongoing support as we work together to maintain a healthy, safe learning environment for all students. Your commitment to following these guidelines helps us protect students with food allergies and promote wellness across our school community.