We stand with Charlie Stoops.

The sixth grader at Centennial School in the Mars School District believes that the district’s all-out ban on outside snacks is overkill. He expressed his opinion in a manner as mature as any adult could have: by addressing the Mars School Board and presenting the board with a 200-signature petition.

The board in September voted to prohibit snacks of any kind from classroom birthday parties, and limited the food allowed at holiday parties to that prepared by the cafeteria. No food from home is permitted under the new policy.

The change is intended “to ensure that foods comply with the district’s procedural guidelines for allergy management and established nutrition guidelines,” according to the district’s student wellness policy.

Charlie, his brother, Miles, and about 10 other pupils and their parents attended Tuesday’s board meeting to register their objections. Rather than a total ban, they would prefer an approved snack list with prior approval from the school nurse to avoid any concerns about food allergies.

That’s not an unreasonable request for compromise — not for a child-friendly atmosphere where homespun birthday treats like cupcakes are a tradition.

Starting from the presumption that school prepares children for real-life encounters, and that socialization skills — small celebrations included — are part of these encounters, are we spreading a false message about food, phobias and the dispensing of government-approved nutrition only?

And if we’re really worried about food allergies, should every lunchbox and bag be searched daily for potential contraband? That seems more thanburdensome.

School board President Dayle Ferguson missed an opportunity to expand on a teaching moment. Ferguson and the other board members could have engaged Charlie in a discussion about the merits of celebrating small accomplishments and the health risks associated with eating too many sugary, high-fat snacks. They could have talked about the dangers of food allergies.

In other words, they could have — should have — discerned a young man trying to take a mature view of his world and encouraged his maturity by being forthright with him.

Instead, Ferguson said this to Charlie and his classmates: “We commend you for taking time away from your homework to come here this evening.”

To the youngsters her response must have sounded a little like: “It’s none of your business why we decided to change the policy. Now live with it.” That’s unfortunate.

So was the answer Ferguson and Superintendent Wesley Shipley gave the Eagle after the meeting, that they’re simply complying with state and federal school lunch/breakfast guidelines.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes clear that it’s up to local school districts to set and enforce their own policies regarding snacks from home. The new USDA rules restrict only snack foods and drinks that are sold in school, not those brought in by parents, such as cupcakes. That’s the official policy in the state’s largest school district, Philadelphia. We looked it up online.

Schoolchildren deserve the straight-up truth from those entrusted with their education.