Say goodbye to the traditional birthday parties, Valentine's Day parties, Halloween parties and Christmas celebrations at the elementary schools starting with the 2014-2015 school year; no edible treats will be allowed at Harry S Truman Elementary School.

HST Principal Barbara Samide said the number of allergies has increased at the school making it difficult for parents to bring in party treats. Samide said the number of peanut allergies has increased and the school now has a peanut-free table in the lunch room.

Samide said there are many other ways to celebrate without food and suggested parents bring in pencils to celebrate a child's birthday.

At Western Salisbury Elementary School, the treat policy is a little less restrictive, with Principal Grace Hartman allowing pre-packaged treats into the school for celebrations. She said the number of student allergies is lower than at HST.

There are no such restrictions at Salisbury Middle School or Salisbury High School.

The proposal was first introduced at the May 12 curriculum meeting during the discussion of the 2014-2015 student handbooks.

At the May 14 regular school board meeting, the 2014-2015 student handbooks were on the agenda for approval.

Board member Dr. Christopher J. Spedaliere voted not to approve the student handbooks because of the new treat policy in the elementary schools. He said students and parents need to take responsibility for the child's allergies and the district helps the students be leaders by allowing them to advocate for themselves. He provided scientific data on the percentage of students with allergies as being low. He said when he was considering moving into the district, after the education aspect, he and his wife wanted to make sure birthdays were still celebrated in the classrooms.

Discussion by the board members included conversations for and against the policy with some saying these students with allergies are exposed to a variety of foods outside of school and need to learn what they can and cannot eat.

Board President Russell Giordano asked if treats could be provided by the school cafeteria at a cost to the parents; Samide said they tried that, however, the treats contain eggs. She said there is also a cost associated with this and some of the families cannot afford it.

Administrators said it is easier for a fifth grade student to advocate for themselves than a kindergarten student.

Superintendent Michael Roth said the no edible treat policy is the administration's recommendation after talking with Samide and Hartman.

"Our teachers should be concentrating on teaching," Roth said, rather than worrying about the ingredients of treats brought into the school.

The vote passed with seven members in favor, many saying "yes, reluctantly."

Other changes at the elementary level include no dropping off of forgotten items for students, such as homework and musical instruments. At WSE, Hartman said dropping off a heavy musical instrument before school begins is fine. Administrators said it is disruptive to the students to be called to the office for such items.

Hartman said another change to the handbook is for field trips. In the past, chaperones were required to be a member of the Parent Teacher Association because the PTA pays for the field trips. Starting with the new school year, all names will be put in a hat; if a parent is chosen to chaperone and is not a member of the PTA, the parent must pay for entrance to the venue and a portion of the bus expense. PTA members will not be charged to accompany the class.