Newburyport parents upset with school candy ban

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. --  A new policy in Newburyport Public Schools will ban sugary, sweet treats from the lunchboxes and backpacks of students.

School leaders said the plan will help in the fight against diabetes and obesity, but some parents feel the school is overstepping its bounds.

"We don't want candy and soda to be part of every day existence in school, and those two things will be prohibited as we move along in this educational process," said Dr. Kevin M. Lyons, Superintendent, Newburyport Public Schools.

While many parents agree with the ban, some feel as though candy isn't the issue, it's about how much say the school department has in parenting.

"I think it's more of a parental responsibility rather than a school responsibility," said Sean Farren, a Newburyport Parent.

"I think it's too extreme and I think children deserve to be children," sais Paige Dalton, a concerned parent.

The superintendent said he will go easy on the violators.

"If it's something that happened on a regular basis, the principal will give a call to the parent and ask if they're familiar with the policy and ask if they can help to make better choices," Lyons said.

The ban on candy won't take full effect until January 1, so Newburyport students won't have to worry about a stray Halloween or holiday treat in their lunch until New Year's Day.

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