peanut-free school

[rjkeeper]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

My son attends a charter school. A few of his classmates have life-threatening allergies (mostly peanut allergies). Parents have been asked to check food labels before sending an item to school, but no formal policy has been made. Many parents are reluctant to comply with the request. (Perhaps because they don't believe the severity of the allergy???) The organization which holds the charter is unwilling to make a formal policy. It seems to become a "slippery slope" once there is a rule in place about disclosing medical information, authorizing teachers to administer life-saving medication, ... Any suggestions on how to politely, gently, and legally request the school &/or charter holder to make a policy?

rjkeeper

 

[CaliCat]

How about parents teaching their children with allergies to not share food? When I was in high school, I was on Prom committee my junior year, and we couldn't use latex balloons in decorating because an unnamed freshmen (not even old enough to go unless asked by a junior or senior) is allergic if he touches them. It's not so fair to ask everyone to conform.

It's not that parents don't believe in the severity of the allergy as it is that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple of sorts, affordable. One jar of peanut butter and one of jelly costs about $6 and makes a month's worth of sandwiches, much less than the costs of other sandwiches. Not all families can afford the added cost, especially if they have multiple kids in school. It may seem a small amount of money to you, but to poor families, it can be quite an obstacle.

And trust me on something. When I was in 3rd grade, a girl in my class was (still is, of course) diabetic. Sugar was banned at my school for a short period of time to prevent any of it from reaching her. From cupcakes in lunches to chocolate milk in the milk line. None of it. The only sugar was if another class had a class-only party. The thinking was "What if she traded a snack of hers for something with sugar?" She was harassed a lot until her parents decided to just teach her to not trade things, and, when it came to class parties in our classroom after the ban was lifted, most parents gladly supplied something she could have.

 

[rjkeeper]

Thanks for your input, Cali. I guess what I should have mentioned is that people with peanut allergies can go into anaphylactic shock by simply SMELLING peanut products. Another problem is that peanut oil is very "sticky." If someone eats PB&J for lunch but forgets to wash their hands with soap before going out to recess, everything they touch can then cause one of the kids with allergies to have a reaction. I'm talking paper, doors, playground equipment, etc. It becomes almost unbelieveable -- which is why I think some parents might doubt the severity of it all.
I guess I keep coming back to the question of if and when a life-and-death situation for one person becomes the concern of their neighbor. I sure don't have any easy answers!

BTW - the situations you mentioned would have REALLY bugged me! I understand the frustration!!

- rjkeeper

 

[stealth2]

IMO, if the allergy is that severe, the parents' best course of action is to homeschool.

 

[Ramoth]

I had no idea that a peanut allergy could be that severe, and I'm willing to bet most parents don't. Perhaps if the school were to send the information to the parents they'd be more likely to stop packing PB&J sandwiches for lunch.

 

[stealth2]

I had no idea that a peanut allergy could be that severe, and I'm willing to bet most parents don't. Perhaps if the school were to send the information to the parents they'd be more likely to stop packing PB&J sandwiches for lunch.

But why should they have to? Some kids will eat nothing else. One of my neighbors has a kid who is allergic to ingested nuts of all kinds. She makes sure that he has snacks that are okay for him when there are class parties. WHY should all the other parents have to plan their kids' lives and food around one child? That's not reality when they get older - they're going to have to watch out for themselves.

 

[gobonas99]

But why should they have to? Some kids will eat nothing else. One of my neighbors has a kid who is allergic to ingested nuts of all kinds. She makes sure that he has snacks that are okay for him when there are class parties. WHY should all the other parents have to plan their kids' lives and food around one child? That's not reality when they get older - they're going to have to watch out for themselves.

Exactly Stealth. Plus, some parents can AFFORD nothing else for the kids' lunches.

 

[CaliCat]

I mentioned the cost issue as well in my first reply.

If the child is so severely allergic, how can that child go into public? Most places that make food manufacture peanut products. How can you stop every single person in the world from eating peanuts and touching the handle of the doors at the mall, or the button on the water fountains, the rails on the slides at playgrounds, etc.? It is extremely unreasonable to expect the world to revolve around one person. Reasonable is asking that any snacks the school provide to please be safe for the child, and unreasonable is expecting all the parents in the entire school to completely change what they do for another child.

My mom is a nurse, and even she has never heard of an allergy so severe that the faint smell of it causes shock.

I echo what was said-if the allergy is so severe, homeschooling would be best. That or make sure that the staff is trained on how to give a shot for shock. That's a reasonable request as it's so simple to do-open kit, jab needle in, inject medication. No stopping to swab the area with alcohol.

 

[rjkeeper]

Thanks, everybody for your thoughts. You've helped me see how people who aren't emotionally involved perceive the situation -- and that is a great help! (I count myself as emotionally involved because this child is one of my son's friends and he visits our house, rides in our van, etc.) Putting my "Mother Bear" instinct on hold and thinking through a situation rationally is not one of my strong points

 

[stephenk]

are any of the students that allergic (just smelling nuts results in reaction) or were you just giving extreme general examples about the allergy?

 

[Bigfoot]

If you saw the conditions under which food is prepared in some homes (i.e., pets licking mixing bowls, etc.) you'd do better to insist on a policy that requires that only labelled, prepackaged goods from a licensed food company to be brought to school.

(Sorry pet lovers....)

 

[rjkeeper]

Not all people who are allergic to nuts have a reaction just from the smell. But, in answer to your question: no I wasn't giving a general example. My son's friend has had two severe reactions just from being close (10 feet) to candy containing peanut butter.

That's why I referred to this as a "slippery slope" earlier... and why I'm quite sure I don't have any answers.

 

[wincha]

peanut allergy

if the school gets any federal funding you can get an 504 plan. here are links. they MUST provide accomodations for your child. but keep in mind if your child has a fatal allergy NO ONE can keep him safe at school and there is a risk. here are the links. read up on 504's there is one on 504's and one about allergy plans for 504's.

AllergySupport.org

 

[wincha]

peanut allergy schools MUST provide NO PEANUT SCHOOL

If the child is so severely allergic, how can that child go into public? Most places that make food manufacture peanut products. How can you stop every single person in the world from eating peanuts and touching the handle of the doors at the mall, or the button on the water fountains, the rails on the slides at playgrounds, etc.? It is extremely unreasonable to expect the world to revolve around one person. Reasonable is asking that any snacks the school provide to please be safe for the child, and unreasonable is expecting all the parents in the entire school to completely change what they do for another child.

i am a pediatric nurse and yes these allergies are as bad as this mom is saying. more and more children are having these fatal allergies. this is a hidden disability adn with federal law now the school MUST provide for this child as in a peanut free school ect.... the needs are NOT reasonable by law it HAS to be done. schools are going to have to change, parents attitudes are going to have to change as more and more children have this allergy which can KILL them. is it really that important your child has their pb&j sandwich at school if it could KILL another child? put yourself in these parents shoes. i would suggest parents do NOT give their children anything with nuts until they are 3 years old so lessening the possibilty of this allergy. Also not introducing any food including cereal until a baby is at least 6 months old. introducing foods to babies younger is seen to cause more allergies overall.

 

[cbg]

Wincha, did you happen to notice that this post is well over a year old?