Starting School

First, I am a teacher in Hills.
1) Your daughter has the right to attend school and be safe. Even if it is an inconvience to everyone else, her safety comes first. If breathing in the fumes of peantuts causes a reaction you can request that no peantut products be allowed in the classroom, most other parents should understand.
2) You need to have the school document her allergies in a 401 plan. The items in this plan are a binding legal agreement between you and the school. This plan should state that your daughter is allergic to specific items and at all costs must avoid them.
3) In the plan, you can ask for an alternate area for your daughter to eat lunch, stating that she is not allowed in the cafeteria during meal time. I read in the paper, several months ago, about a couple schools that created a separate "lunchroom" for kids with allergies. They basically let the children into a conference room at lunch, supervised by a secretary. The room was allergy free. It was only a few kids in there. You can suggest this to the school. They don't have to do this, but they should consider it. Your child has the right to a safe environment.
3) You must advocate for your child. Don't assume, especially when she is older, that the teachers will read the cum. folder and know about your daughters allergies. They are responsible for reading the folders, but with 30 kids, it takes time. You shuold tell her teachers on the first day of school that your daughter has life threatening allergies. Make the teacher aware if she has an epi pen. You might consider providing the teacher with literature about the peanut allergy to highlight the importance of protecting her, not everyone is aware of how dangerous it is. Ask the teacher to include a note in sub plans about your daughter's allergies.
4) Be couteous, but insist that the school take steps to protect your child. Once you have a 401 plan it is binding. You can request anything you want in it, but the school does not have to honor every request. Once it is written, they must adhere to it.
Best wishes

I would contact the school nurse before school starts. They can create a CARE plan, so that all important people she comes into contact with has the info. This would include cafeteria monitors, specials teachers, bus drivers, etc. Most teachers I have had contact with, have been great. They are willing to do whatever to help. Plus I do feel there is more awareness now than even 5 years ago with the increased prevalence in school aged children.

2 of my children have severe peanut allergies, and the schools have been wonderful with working with them. both Private and public. Just make sure that everyone who is responsible knows about the allergies. At our school they even post "peanut free zone" on the classroom doors and provide peanut free tables at lunch. And I firmly believe if you can volunteer in the classroom and at the school and get to know everyone they will respect you more and you will feel better too!

I would tell the school, she needs to eat seperately from the other children and make them accomodate her. There have to be others with severe food allergies in the school maybe she could eat with a few kids who have the same issues?

I personally do not have a child with food allergies but my one of my children has a friend in their kindergarten class that does. At least at Seven Oaks, they sit them at peanut free, etc tables for lunch. This ensures their safety while eating. My son who just turned 6 has choosen not to eat peanut butter and comments on things that he can not have to sit with his friend at lunch time. Very thoughtful for just 6.

They also have pictures of the children in the nurses office with a list of their allergies. I believe schools are really in tune with what can happen.

I think you need to be very proactive and tell the teachers and cafeteria workers about her allergies. I have heard about schools not even allowing kids to bring PB&J sandwiches due to allergies, so if they are aware, they can probably make recommendations. Do you know for sure what is causing the rash?
Maybe if you could isolate the cause of the rash, that can help you come up with a specific plan to recommend to the faculty.
Good luck!

My son's best friend from TX has a severe allergy to milk. What they did for their son is to notify the teacher and the school in the spefics at the beginning of school. In addition, they'd let the room mom know (as she is the one sending out notices to everyone regarding room snacks ect - I also suggest this for any sports your child is involved in) . As long as you make your child and everyone around the child advised of the situation, you should be okay. Best of luck to you!!!

Well, my neighbor has a son with the same allergies as your daughter. His K teacher was very understanding and allowed the mother to be there everytime food was served/worked with if she so chose. However, I thought his allergies were severe......he has throat closing episodes when exposed. But, he can be around it without experiencing the reaction. You may need to see if they will allow her to eat in another location of the school (they won't say no to you) or find a way to home school her, which in your situation would be very difficult. Basically, though, the school's are VERY cooperative when it comes to food allergy situations. If you have a better idea, bring it up.

Both of my girls have mutliple food allergies. Both have issues with anaphlaxis. Check out this web site...it's really helpful in dealing with questions like these www.kidswithfoodallergies.org I also found being in a small private school made a huge difference. There is no caf. and thwn after kindergarten they went to a small charter school (free) and still no caf.

I have the same allergic reaction to peanuts and thankfully, my daughter and son do not. When I was a child , I could not smell, touch, or taste nuts. I still cant and I'm 42. I know you must be terrified- it can happen so easily. When I was a child, my teacher allowed me to choose 1 friend and eat in the office every day. Maybe your daughter could do the same, or possibly eat outside on a picnic table? It worked for me- good luck- I hope this helps!!!
LeslieC

A friend of mine was recently able to tour the elementary school where her daughter will be attending kindergarten and the principal was incredibly helpful and friendly - even going as far as recommending certain teachers that would be a good match for her daughter's learning style. Maybe you can tour the school in advance (not waiting until the open house right before school starts) and ask tons of questions and see what systems they have in place for situations such as these. I think the more knowledge you have and the more time you have to prepare, the more at ease you will be about this big transition.

Best of luck!

Sometimes it is just the oils from the allergen in the air that can trigger the rash. Especially when the child has been exposed to too many allergens. The more allergens the worse the reaction. The school will work with you to keep your child safe. They have to.

Hi J.

I can relate. My son and niece both have severe peanut allergies. What school will she be going to? I have an online store that I sell t-shirt and stuff for kids with food allergies. I started it after my niece had a severe anaphylaxis reaction to a hershey's kiss with pb in it. I have a peanut-free line of stuff in there that she might like. I made it originally for my niece and then other people wanted to start having their child wear it so I started a store. You can find it at www.cafepress.com/bjortandcompany if you interested. If you want I can make her something special just for her with all of her allergies on the shirt so everyone will know. I will also make her buttons, etc. if needed. It can say I'm a Peanut, Egg, Fish and Dairy Free Princess.

As far as her going to school. Make sure she sits at a peanut free table at lunch. You can also request the classroom to be free of these foods if necessary. Good luck and let me know if I can help you in anyway.