Say goodbye to the cupcake-fueled birthday parties, candy-bar commendations and lunch-hour sodas.

Lawrence school officials on Monday tentatively approved a wellness policy designed to curb students’ in-school access to sweets.

“This is a substantial change,” Supt. Randy Weseman said.

As proposed, candy and soft drinks will not be sold at the high schools until one hour after the last lunch period. Currently, candy and soft drinks are for sale throughout the day.

The restriction will apply to the high school clubs’ candy sales.

No more than half of a school’s fundraisers are to be “food-related.”

Vending-machine selection in the high schools and junior highs will be reconfigured – less soda, more fruit juice.

Currently, junior high students have access to in-school vending machines after school. Elementary schools do not have vending machines for students.

Parents and parent groups will be told not to send sweets to schools for parties and award ceremonies. Sliced fruit will be OK; cookies, candy and cupcakes will not.

The policy, expected to take effect July 1, stems from federal and state mandates aimed at combating childhood obesity and improving student performance.

“It makes sense,” said Deputy Supt. Bruce Passman. “If you’re healthy and feeling good, you’re probably going to do better in school.”

State and national studies have shown that the number of overweight children, ages 6 to 11, has more than doubled in the past 20 years, and more than tripled for students ages 12 to 19.

Passman admitted the policy likely won’t have much effect if it’s not embraced by the community at large. “Clearly, there has to be a community approach and not just a school approach,” he said.

Whether such a campaign materializes remains to be seen.

“We can set school policy,” said board member Sue Morgan. “We can’t set policy for the community.”

Board members welcomed the new policy’s goals but questioned whether the changes should be phased in over two or three years or take effect all at once.

Waiting “two or three years, to me, is stalling,” said board president Leonard Ortiz.

“We should be as aggressive as possible,” said board member Rich Minder.

Board members Craig Grant, John Mitchell and Linda Robinson were absent.

Weseman assured the remaining four board members – Minder, Ortiz, Morgan and Cindy Yulich – the policy would proceed with “all due speed,” but predicted resistance from high school students who will feel their rights are being violated and from parents who’ll question the harm posed by a cupcake once a week.

“This will come up,” Weseman said. “I guarantee it.”

An issue not yet addressed, he said, was what’s to happen when students bring their own soda to school.

“If the policy is you can’t have it, it becomes contraband,” he said.

The discussion followed the school board’s feting the winners of the district’s annual Lawrence Education Achievement Partners (LEAP) awards with a 10-minute reception that featured gourmet cookies.

After the policy takes effect, it’s expected to apply to board functions, said Paula Murrish, director of food service for the school district.

Several fast-food restaurants are active in the LEAP program. McDonald’s was one of two recipients of the 2006 Five Star Achievement Award. The other was ICL Performance Products, formerly known as Astaris.