The psychology club’s upcoming candygram sale for Valentine’s Day has evoked some controversy in regards to school rules and regulations. The administrations permitting of the sale of the small, sweet gifts has brought a certain question to the mind of many students: why are candygram fundraisers allowed when bake sale fundraisers are banned?
Candygrams are small letters, usually attached to a piece of candy, that can be purchased by students around holidays such as Valentine’s Day or Christmas. Many students use them as a cheap and affordable way to show their affection for their friends or significant others.
“I think it’s sweet,” freshman Holly Waters said. “I like that you can send them to friends and teachers too.”
Bake sales are, as the name suggests, sales of edible goods by organizations in order to raise money. Currently, bake sales are not permitted by policy 5003.3 of the FCPS rules and regulations, forcing organizations to search for other ways to raise money.
“This is a national situation brought about by Michelle Obama’s health initiative,” English teacher Samantha Nims, sponsor of the Reveille literary magazine, said. “It has to do with same thing that’s going on in the cafeteria as far as the cookies being changed and healthier side dishes. They want students to avoid sugar and refined foods so they’re not allowing us to do bake sales.”
Technically, candy is not an exception to the rule. However, since the details change from state to state and negotiations can be made, certain exceptions like the upcoming candygram sale are allowed.
Some clubs believe that candygrams and bake sales should both be permitted.
“Ultimately, I understand for elementary schools, maybe even for middle schools,” Nims said. “But for high schools where there’s no funding and we’re talking about older children who can just walk to 7-11, I think they’re cutting off their noses just to bite their faces.”