School bans birthday cakes to get healthy

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., May 29 (UPI) -- An Illinois school district has approved a new health plan, prohibiting students from bringing cakes or cupcakes to class on their birthdays, officials say.

Arlington Heights Elementary School District 25 officials announced a plan to eliminate cakes from school birthday celebrations next year to promote healthy living, the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald reported Thursday.

"There will be celebrations. Maybe the child will be the principal for a day, or pick out a special book or lead the class line to the cafeteria," Superintendent Sarah Jerome said.

Critics say the heath plan is flawed because it still permits students to bring sweets to class on Valentine's Day and Halloween.

"We're allowing sweets, just not in cupcake form. It's an inconsistent policy. We should (have) left the policy alone," school board member Dan Petro said.