School bans homemade snacks, hugs

Don’t hug. Don’t hand out birthday party invitations. And definitely don’t bring in any homemade snacks. The Huffington Post reports those are among the new policies put in place at one public elementary school in Maryland — the same state that just made national headlines for a school suspension of a 7-year-old who nibbled his Pop Tart into the shape of a gun. All parents, visitors and students to St. Mary’s County schools are required to abide the policy. The policy reads, as Huffington Post reports: Birthday party invitation distribution is banned at school because students who aren’t on the list could get their feelings hurt. Foods brought in for parties and celebrations should be store-bought so children with allergies can double-check the ingredients. And parents should not hug any children other than their own — or walk with their kids when they leave the cafeteria. Visitors must also sign in at the front desk — and get photographed. And parents aren’t allowed any longer to walk up to teachers and request meetings, Huffington Post says. Ostensibly, all meetings with teachers must be schedule by email or telephone. WTimes