Children with Nut Allergies & Public Schools (Raleigh: private school, food)

[alice_61]

I grew up in NY. I first tried growing growing peanuts when I moved to Virginia. It is was so interesting the first time to watch the plants burrow underground after they flowered. I tried boiling them and thought they were awfully tasty.

I would like to pursure these allergy theories. It's too bad that some healthy natural foods have become a such a threat.

Thanks,
Alice

[screaser]

I also have a 4 yr old w/ a severe peanut allergy, I'm terrified to send her to kindergarten next year. We're in Holly Springs, they don't have a nut-free table at lunch, the kids can buy pb& j in the cafeteria, and I've seen them get pretty messy! I worry about the peanut butter because it's sticky, & can stay on their hands & clothes. All it takes is for a small amount to get in my daughter's mouth, and it's poisonous to her. I'd love to meet other parents w/ this issue, we need some better solutions.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by screaser

I also have a 4 yr old w/ a severe peanut allergy, I'm terrified to send her to kindergarten next year. We're in Holly Springs, they don't have a nut-free table at lunch, the kids can buy pb& j in the cafeteria, and I've seen them get pretty messy! I worry about the peanut butter because it's sticky, & can stay on their hands & clothes. All it takes is for a small amount to get in my daughter's mouth, and it's poisonous to her. I'd love to meet other parents w/ this issue, we need some better solutions.

Hi! I've sent you a dm regarding a support group in the area.

[WeLuvNC]

My child's elementary did not have a 'nut free' table in the cafeteria either until a parent requested it. There is wcpss policy to work with/through, working with the principal and teacher, and working with the cafeteria. The principal and the school nurse can facilitate all of those discussions. I have found it helpful to be one of the grade parents and always go on field trips with my child - it provides ways for extra reminders to make the snacks nut-free and also be in the loop when things are going on the classroom that are food related. By making myself available and responsible for coordinating or providing 'snacks' when called for, I have been able to control the snacks handed out during field trips and such.

Just know that you will have to continually work with the teacher, principal, and other parents. Even if the policy is 'nut free', it takes constant reminders and offering to read labels for folks to make sure it is truly nut free. As stated, being a classroom room parent and staying involved has helped this a lot.

My child has an allergy where others in the room can eat nuts and is fine as long as everyone cleans the tables/washes hands. I think that makes things a bit easier, but still something could happen at any times so I (and teachers) are on alert. There was another classroom where they couldn't have anything with peanut or tree nut in the room or near the child and the parent's had to be much more vigilant (eg: for food related activities, all supplies were requested ahead of time so the parent(s) could check the labels and never had to quash activities at the last minute).

[PeanutFree22]

For All Ages!
Trace Atkins is the Honorary Chairman for the www.faanwalk.org 2008 in San Diego,CA because his child has the allergy. Join the walk in your area and find others who can support you. ~ God Bless.

Hi there! First of all here is a website that will become your best friend!

www.peanutfreeplanet.com tell them Corralee sent ya.

Our family has dealt with this issue for 10 years now. Although it might be a civil rights issue sometimes with going completely nut-free...I definitely agree it is a safety issue. This will save a childs life...for all of the people who argue this think about this: What would you do to keep your child alive. All children have a right to an education and being safe.

Parents with Children of the Allergy World:

Pick your school then-
Have a 504 Plan meeting with the following people at the same time:
Principle, District Nurse, School Nurse, students Teacher and the Food Service Workers.

Have the Allergy Test results, a letter from the doctor as to how severe the allergy is and what the doctor wants done with the medicines.

You will need to have the teacher (depending on the school and age of the child) get a fanny pack with the students name: allergy: and medical alert signage on it. This fanny pack can be woren by the student during switching classes, bathroom runs etc. If they go out to PE with the teacher, than the teacher wears it. The monitors on the playground should also have fanny packs with the students medicines (epi and benadryl on them) because there is no time to run the student to the office while the reaction occurs. The nurse should have meds also locked at their station.

There needs to be a drill plan: Our children's teachers (at each grade level all of the teachers on the campus should know the plan) have peanut-drills like fire drills. If a reaction occurs in the classroom or while in the custody of the teacher w/ the class then the teacher simply says "PEANUT DRILL !!!" and the class immedicately goes to the nearest classroom (with a teacher) and says the same thing...PEANUT DRILL - that teacher then knows that the class will be with her until the situation is over and she is released. The teacher will phone, radio or send a student(s) to the office to let the nurse know to call 911.

You must let the OFFICE know that you want the nurse to ride with the student unless you are there, especially with the student also has asthma, because there are medications that contain peanut that are used for breathing treatments: DuoNeb, Atrovent, Ipratropiumbromide, Comivent,etc.

Field Trips the cafeteria packs lunches for the students that way the lunches are ham sandwiches for something other than PB&J. You can also provide the snacks for the students as a gesture for all of their help.

We also have hand sanitizer in the classroom after recesses and lunch. If the teacher says there is time- they wash their hands. This is actually beneficial to all of the students. The attendance rate went up over 50 % in our childrens classes because the kids were so clean, they weren't spreading germs all the time. The teacher like the fact that she got to take a vacation instead of using her time for sick days.

The biggest thing is to make sure that the school is educated and will know who your child is and where they are at all times. There are teaching tools for K-8 and up like Alexander the Elephant who is allergic to peanuts.

Also, just to let you...allergy testing can be confusing too. You can have a positive reaction one year and two years later be negative, this is a false reading. The peanut nut allergy is one that you have for a lifetime. It grows with intensity with each reaction. That is why it is so necessary to learn all you can, and educate everyone you talk to. The allergy shots just introduce the peanut protein- they are life-threatening reactions waiting to happen. Trust me.

IF the school doesn't want to do their part change schools or get an attorney. YOU are your child's advocate- it will be hard to start, but well worth it.
Good Luck !!!! Everything will be fine....have a safe nut-free day!

Don't forget to have peanut-free fundraiser with the PTA: there are cookie dough, and lots of others. Contact me at email corralee@peanutfreeplanet.com

[geoff2v]

A friend of mine whose children have various food allergies put together this website -- Brookline Families with Food Allergies -- which might have some information you'll find helpful.

[shimster114]

Originally Posted by sandycat

Every school I have worked at has been on top of it, even if that means no nuts for lunch, parties etc. I've worked at a school which was mostly Muslim and school lunches always included a meat free alternative. The number one factor is always the safety of the child where allergies are concerned.

Please please please tell me which school you worked at i have to know!!!!!

[PDXmom]

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/WCPSSpeanutfree

For those of you with children in WCPSS and have a child with a peanut allergy this may interest you. I am not a Wake County resident. But thougth I'd pass this along.

For those that disagree w/ the petition do not flame me. Write your school district... that is time better spent.

[NcerfromNY]

my son's school allows pb&j -- and parents are asked to provide snacks once a month, there are no prohibitions on peanuts, whey, dairy, or any other well-known allergy. You are required, however, to purchase any baked goods, and not bake them yourself. He goes to a magnet in raleigh that's part of wcpss -- check them out at wcpss.net

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by NcerfromNY

You are required, however, to purchase any baked goods, and not bake them yourself.

This is a state rule. It is meant to protect all children from food borne illnesses. So it is not specifically intended for children with food allergies. Just a friendly FYI.