Teacher Pleads ‘No Cupcakes On Birthdays’ Sparks Debate
Remember the excitement of bringing cupcakes to school for your birthday? It was such a fun way to share a special treat with your classmates. I still recall the thrill of receiving a Valentine’s Day card with a piece of candy attached and looking forward to enjoying it later. The holidays were always a treat-filled adventure, especially when the goodies were homemade rather than store-bought. But now, a viral post from a teacher has sparked a debate about whether cupcakes should still be a part of classroom celebrations.
Watch the full video here.
Ann Brackemyer, a kindergarten teacher in Illinois, shared her “unpopular opinion” in a TikTok video that quickly went viral. “Please don’t bring cupcakes,” Brackemyer advised parents. “They make a ginormous mess and the kids honestly don’t eat them. The frosting gets all over, and … It’s just too much for them.” Instead, she suggested “simple, easy” store-bought items like cookies and miniature doughnuts, with Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies being a classroom favorite.
Brackemyer acknowledged the charm of cupcakes: “They’re big and pretty” but noted that most kids end up just eating the frosting. She fondly remembered a student who brought in individual ice cream cups and sprinkles, which resulted in every kid finishing their treat.
Her “unpopular opinion” has sparked a debate in the comments. “Is it your birthday? or theirs?” one commenter asked. Another noted, “I actually said out loud during one ‘note to self, don’t send cupcakes.’” Even a lunch lady chimed in, “The cupcakes land frosting side down on the floor. The red and blue stain the kids and tables and make a huge mess. But send what your kid would like to have for their birthday.”
Some schools have taken steps to address these concerns by banning baked goods for birthdays altogether. In 2017, Northshore Elementary School (Tennessee) Principal Brandon Pratt introduced a policy banning cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods for celebrations, citing strict nutritional guidelines. Knox News reported at the time that anything brought to the West Knox County school by parents needs to meet strict nutritional guidelines, including specific sodium and sugar levels. It’s worth mentioning that the district doesn’t monitor snacks brought from home and that it’s up to individual principals.
While some schools implement these bans for dietary reasons, others are concerned with accommodating health restrictions. One tragic incident reported by CBS News highlighted the importance of these policies. A seventh grader in Chicago died from anaphylaxis after a reaction to food at a class party in 2010.
One parent shared with HuffPost that parents sending snacks to school could fail miserably at following allergen-free guidelines. Some parents don’t know how to accurately read a label for food allergens or cross-contamination and others do.
A parent shared their experience of feeling excluded during school celebrations due to celiac disease and the presence of gluten in baked goods. She explained how she would hide in the corner trying not to draw attention to herself because she was never able to eat the cupcakes classmates brought in for celebrations.
The issue is complex: finding a solution that works for everyone can be challenging. A TikTok video even showed a mother facing criticism for bringing a special cupcake for her child with dietary restrictions, as it did not match the appearance of the other treats, leading to discomfort among some students. In the end, whether it’s cupcakes, cookies, or another treat, navigating classroom celebrations remains a balancing act.
