Re: peanut bans in schools

May 25, 2006

Our pre-school is exactly the same. They especially supported going peanut-free because peanut butter is considered a choking hazard either up to or through the age of 3 (per the Amer.Acdmy.of Peds.). 2 birds, 1 stone!

My son's preschool is "Nut Free" even though currently no one in the school has a nut allergy. Since every year's enrollment is different the school thought it would be best to be consistant with this policy. Additionally, the school and parents are very supportive and accommodating to children who have other food allergies. All the children arrive to school and immediately wash their hands before playing, etc..... to avoid cross contamination. The hand washing routine in school is fantastic and has helped develop my children's hand washing habits and routine. This school is wonderful! There is a nice blend of responsibility, effort and communication with the teachers & parents to help keep all the children healthy & happy. >> As a parent of a child with airborne peanut reactions and anaphylactic> reactions with any contact to peanuts.... no I don't expect the entire> classroom or the school to be "responsible" for my daughters allergy but I> do expect them to take reasonable steps to protect my child from dying,> which is what the reaction could easily be with her level of allergy. This> was especially true when she was in elementary school. As a young child she> didn't have the skills enough to recognize situations where she was at risk> so at that age, yes I expected the school to take steps to keep her safe.> > I'm very happy to report back then the principal of her school agreed with> me and asked the parents in her classroom to voluntarily not send their> kids with peanut products. Every single parent complied with this request,> every single year. The parents had my phone number and would call me about> products they had at home. It worked out wonderfully for us. Were mistakes> made (like with power/snack bars)? Maybe so but I'm not aware of any, every> single parent was so nice about it, my daughter became everyone's child and> on field trips and such..... all the parents were constantly monitoring food> and snacks around her (I did go on every field trip).> > They decided not to ban peanuts in the entire school but gave my daughter a> separate lounge to eat her lunch in (she could pick 5 friends a day to eat> there with her). Again the precautions that everyone took for us really> worked... she was in that school for 5 years (to 4th grade) and only had 2> reactions. Then she went to another school where they didn't take the issue> as seriously and she would have to come home or go to the hospital 3 times a> week, her grades suffered, her confidence suffered and she got behind.> > Now she is in 8th grade and she has only had a few reactions this year, the> only precaution she has is a peanut free lunch table but, the difference is> that she can now read labels, she is old enough and mature enough to take> care of her allergy. The other saving grace is that in Middle school very> few kids eat PB & J its just not "cool".> > So you know what... it really does take a village to keep our kids happy and> healthy and I guess I've convinced myself that I do expect help and> understanding from others... I'd certainly do it for their kids (in my> daughters school there is a child with latex allergy so severe that the> entire school does not have ANY latex in it and I'm happy to abide by that> rule).> > You mentioned that your child has asthma and celiac, those are very> different then an anaphylactic airborne peanut allergy, I know about them> first hand too, my peanut girl has both!> > > > > Are 50 parents (one classroom) responsible for the safety of someone> > else's child?> >> > Are 500 parents (entire school) responsible for the safety of someone> > else's child?> > > As the parent of a child with not only celiac but also a complicated> > list of allergies and intolerances, I do not expect other parents to> > be responsible for my child's safety. To date, he has not had any> > analphylactic reactions, but I have already been warned by the> > allergist he is at risk for them, and he does have major asthma> > attacks from certain allergens. Dogs are a major trigger for his> > asthma *and people can die from asthma in a very few minutes* *, can I> > ban dogs in all public places because of one person's needs? He also> > reacts to "secondhand dog" on other people's clothes, can I insist> > every child in class live in a dog-free home? No, neither of those is> > reasonable.>

May 25, 2006

Our pre-school is exactly the same. They especially supported going peanut-free because peanut butter is considered a choking hazard either up to or through the age of 3 (per the Amer.Acdmy.of Peds.). 2 birds, 1 stone!

Re: peanut bans in schools

My son's preschool is "Nut Free" even though currently no one in the school has a nut allergy. Since every year's enrollment is different the school thought it would be best to be consistant with this policy. Additionally, the school and parents are very supportive and accommodating to children who have other food allergies. All the children arrive to school and immediately wash their hands before playing, etc..... to avoid cross contamination. The hand washing routine in school is fantastic and has helped develop my children's hand washing habits and routine. This school is wonderful! There is a nice blend of responsibility, effort and communication with the teachers & parents to help keep all the children healthy & happy. >> As a parent of a child with airborne peanut reactions and anaphylactic> reactions with any contact to peanuts.... no I don't expect the entire> classroom or the school to be "responsible" for my daughters allergy but I> do expect them to take reasonable steps to protect my child from dying,> which is what the reaction could easily be with her level of allergy. This> was especially true when she was in elementary school. As a young child she> didn't have the skills enough to recognize situations where she was at risk> so at that age, yes I expected the school to take steps to keep her safe.> > I'm very happy to report back then the principal of her school agreed with> me and asked the parents in her classroom to voluntarily not send their> kids with peanut products. Every single parent complied with this request,> every single year. The parents had my phone number and would call me about> products they had at home. It worked out wonderfully for us. Were mistakes> made (like with power/snack bars)? Maybe so but I'm not aware of any, every> single parent was so nice about it, my daughter became everyone's child and> on field trips and such..... all the parents were constantly monitoring food> and snacks around her (I did go on every field trip).> > They decided not to ban peanuts in the entire school but gave my daughter a> separate lounge to eat her lunch in (she could pick 5 friends a day to eat> there with her). Again the precautions that everyone took for us really> worked... she was in that school for 5 years (to 4th grade) and only had 2> reactions. Then she went to another school where they didn't take the issue> as seriously and she would have to come home or go to the hospital 3 times a> week, her grades suffered, her confidence suffered and she got behind.> > Now she is in 8th grade and she has only had a few reactions this year, the> only precaution she has is a peanut free lunch table but, the difference is> that she can now read labels, she is old enough and mature enough to take> care of her allergy. The other saving grace is that in Middle school very> few kids eat PB & J its just not "cool".> > So you know what... it really does take a village to keep our kids happy and> healthy and I guess I've convinced myself that I do expect help and> understanding from others... I'd certainly do it for their kids (in my> daughters school there is a child with latex allergy so severe that the> entire school does not have ANY latex in it and I'm happy to abide by that> rule).> > You mentioned that your child has asthma and celiac, those are very> different then an anaphylactic airborne peanut allergy, I know about them> first hand too, my peanut girl has both!> > > > > Are 50 parents (one classroom) responsible for the safety of someone> > else's child?> >> > Are 500 parents (entire school) responsible for the safety of someone> > else's child?> > > As the parent of a child with not only celiac but also a complicated> > list of allergies and intolerances, I do not expect other parents to> > be responsible for my child's safety. To date, he has not had any> > analphylactic reactions, but I have already been warned by the> > allergist he is at risk for them, and he does have major asthma> > attacks from certain allergens. Dogs are a major trigger for his> > asthma *and people can die from asthma in a very few minutes* *, can I> > ban dogs in all public places because of one person's needs? He also> > reacts to "secondhand dog" on other people's clothes, can I insist> > every child in class live in a dog-free home? No, neither of those is> > reasonable.>

May 25, 2006

Our pre-school is exactly the same. They especially supported going peanut-free because peanut butter is considered a choking hazard either up to or through the age of 3 (per the Amer.Acdmy.of Peds.). 2 birds, 1 stone!

Re: peanut bans in schools

My son's preschool is "Nut Free" even though currently no one in the school has a nut allergy. Since every year's enrollment is different the school thought it would be best to be consistant with this policy. Additionally, the school and parents are very supportive and accommodating to children who have other food allergies. All the children arrive to school and immediately wash their hands before playing, etc..... to avoid cross contamination. The hand washing routine in school is fantastic and has helped develop my children's hand washing habits and routine. This school is wonderful! There is a nice blend of responsibility, effort and communication with the teachers & parents to help keep all the children healthy & happy. >> As a parent of a child with airborne peanut reactions and anaphylactic> reactions with any contact to peanuts.... no I don't expect the entire> classroom or the school to be "responsible" for my daughters allergy but I> do expect them to take reasonable steps to protect my child from dying,> which is what the reaction could easily be with her level of allergy. This> was especially true when she was in elementary school. As a young child she> didn't have the skills enough to recognize situations where she was at risk> so at that age, yes I expected the school to take steps to keep her safe.> > I'm very happy to report back then the principal of her school agreed with> me and asked the parents in her classroom to voluntarily not send their> kids with peanut products. Every single parent complied with this request,> every single year. The parents had my phone number and would call me about> products they had at home. It worked out wonderfully for us. Were mistakes> made (like with power/snack bars)? Maybe so but I'm not aware of any, every> single parent was so nice about it, my daughter became everyone's child and> on field trips and such..... all the parents were constantly monitoring food> and snacks around her (I did go on every field trip).> > They decided not to ban peanuts in the entire school but gave my daughter a> separate lounge to eat her lunch in (she could pick 5 friends a day to eat> there with her). Again the precautions that everyone took for us really> worked... she was in that school for 5 years (to 4th grade) and only had 2> reactions. Then she went to another school where they didn't take the issue> as seriously and she would have to come home or go to the hospital 3 times a> week, her grades suffered, her confidence suffered and she got behind.> > Now she is in 8th grade and she has only had a few reactions this year, the> only precaution she has is a peanut free lunch table but, the difference is> that she can now read labels, she is old enough and mature enough to take> care of her allergy. The other saving grace is that in Middle school very> few kids eat PB & J its just not "cool".> > So you know what... it really does take a village to keep our kids happy and> healthy and I guess I've convinced myself that I do expect help and> understanding from others... I'd certainly do it for their kids (in my> daughters school there is a child with latex allergy so severe that the> entire school does not have ANY latex in it and I'm happy to abide by that> rule).> > You mentioned that your child has asthma and celiac, those are very> different then an anaphylactic airborne peanut allergy, I know about them> first hand too, my peanut girl has both!> > > > > Are 50 parents (one classroom) responsible for the safety of someone> > else's child?> >> > Are 500 parents (entire school) responsible for the safety of someone> > else's child?> > > As the parent of a child with not only celiac but also a complicated> > list of allergies and intolerances, I do not expect other parents to> > be responsible for my child's safety. To date, he has not had any> > analphylactic reactions, but I have already been warned by the> > allergist he is at risk for them, and he does have major asthma> > attacks from certain allergens. Dogs are a major trigger for his> > asthma *and people can die from asthma in a very few minutes* *, can I> > ban dogs in all public places because of one person's needs? He also> > reacts to "secondhand dog" on other people's clothes, can I insist> > every child in class live in a dog-free home? No, neither of those is> > reasonable.>

May 25, 2006

It is actually reccomended not to introduce peanuts/peanut butter

until after the age of 3. This has to do with the allergy aspect,

as well as the choking hazard.

The young body can not handle the protein found in peanuts all that

well. Researcher have thought this to be one reason for the

increase of peanut allergies in children. Since the body can't

handle the protein, it recognizes it as foreign and produces

antibodies against the protein. These antibodies are what cause the

allergic reaction. After the age of 3 the immune system has matured

more and can handle these new proteins better. However, this is not

to say that a child definitely will not develop an allergy to

peanuts, but it can lessen the chances.

As a society, we have been introducing peanuts/peanut butter into

the diet at an earlier age than we have in the past. Please use

caution when you introduce peanuts into your child's diet. If food

allergies run in your family, try to hold off on introducing peanuts

until after the age of 3.

Also, take note that the first time a child has an allergic

response, it is not normally the first time they have been exposed

to the allergen.

>

> Our pre-school is exactly the same. They especially supported

going peanut-free because peanut butter is considered a choking

hazard either up to or through the age of 3 (per the Amer.Acdmy.of

Peds.). 2 birds, 1 stone!

> Re: peanut bans in schools

>

> My son's preschool is " Nut Free " even though currently no one in

the

> school has a nut allergy. Since every year's enrollment is

different

> the school thought it would be best to be consistant with this

> policy. Additionally, the school and parents are very

supportive and

> accommodating to children who have other food allergies.

>

> All the children arrive to school and immediately wash their

hands

> before playing, etc..... to avoid cross contamination. The hand

> washing routine in school is fantastic and has helped develop my

> children's hand washing habits and routine.

>

> This school is wonderful! There is a nice blend of

responsibility,

> effort and communication with the teachers & parents to help

keep all

> the children healthy & happy.

>

May 25, 2006

It is actually reccomended not to introduce peanuts/peanut butter

until after the age of 3. This has to do with the allergy aspect,

as well as the choking hazard.

The young body can not handle the protein found in peanuts all that

well. Researcher have thought this to be one reason for the

increase of peanut allergies in children. Since the body can't

handle the protein, it recognizes it as foreign and produces

antibodies against the protein. These antibodies are what cause the

allergic reaction. After the age of 3 the immune system has matured

more and can handle these new proteins better. However, this is not

to say that a child definitely will not develop an allergy to

peanuts, but it can lessen the chances.

As a society, we have been introducing peanuts/peanut butter into

the diet at an earlier age than we have in the past. Please use

caution when you introduce peanuts into your child's diet. If food

allergies run in your family, try to hold off on introducing peanuts

until after the age of 3.

Also, take note that the first time a child has an allergic

response, it is not normally the first time they have been exposed

to the allergen.

>

> Our pre-school is exactly the same. They especially supported

going peanut-free because peanut butter is considered a choking

hazard either up to or through the age of 3 (per the Amer.Acdmy.of

Peds.). 2 birds, 1 stone!

> Re: peanut bans in schools

>

> My son's preschool is " Nut Free " even though currently no one in

the

> school has a nut allergy. Since every year's enrollment is

different

> the school thought it would be best to be consistant with this

> policy. Additionally, the school and parents are very

supportive and

> accommodating to children who have other food allergies.

>

> All the children arrive to school and immediately wash their

hands

> before playing, etc..... to avoid cross contamination. The hand

> washing routine in school is fantastic and has helped develop my

> children's hand washing habits and routine.

>

> This school is wonderful! There is a nice blend of

responsibility,

> effort and communication with the teachers & parents to help

keep all

> the children healthy & happy.

>

May 25, 2006

It is actually reccomended not to introduce peanuts/peanut butter

until after the age of 3. This has to do with the allergy aspect,

as well as the choking hazard.

The young body can not handle the protein found in peanuts all that

well. Researcher have thought this to be one reason for the

increase of peanut allergies in children. Since the body can't

handle the protein, it recognizes it as foreign and produces

antibodies against the protein. These antibodies are what cause the

allergic reaction. After the age of 3 the immune system has matured

more and can handle these new proteins better. However, this is not

to say that a child definitely will not develop an allergy to

peanuts, but it can lessen the chances.

As a society, we have been introducing peanuts/peanut butter into

the diet at an earlier age than we have in the past. Please use

caution when you introduce peanuts into your child's diet. If food

allergies run in your family, try to hold off on introducing peanuts

until after the age of 3.

Also, take note that the first time a child has an allergic

response, it is not normally the first time they have been exposed

to the allergen.

>

> Our pre-school is exactly the same. They especially supported

going peanut-free because peanut butter is considered a choking

hazard either up to or through the age of 3 (per the Amer.Acdmy.of

Peds.). 2 birds, 1 stone!

> Re: peanut bans in schools

>

> My son's preschool is " Nut Free " even though currently no one in

the

> school has a nut allergy. Since every year's enrollment is

different

> the school thought it would be best to be consistant with this

> policy. Additionally, the school and parents are very

supportive and

> accommodating to children who have other food allergies.

>

> All the children arrive to school and immediately wash their

hands

> before playing, etc..... to avoid cross contamination. The hand

> washing routine in school is fantastic and has helped develop my

> children's hand washing habits and routine.

>

> This school is wonderful! There is a nice blend of

responsibility,

> effort and communication with the teachers & parents to help

keep all

> the children healthy & happy.

>

May 25, 2006

I have watched this thread and feel compelled to put my two cents

in. I know it'll probably result in curses and flames - but

everyone is entitled to their opinion (at least I hope we all feel

that way).

The whole peanut ban in schools really bugs me. It bugs me because

it further limits that which I can send to school with my celiac son

for lunch. And yes - I did just label him so that everyone

understands I'm talking about a son on a restricted diet. :-) As if

I don't have enough challenges already. GF bread is dry and hard and

goes stale quickly - PB & J or PB & Fluff are two things you can make

a sandwich out of that my son 1.) actually likes and 2.) isn't so

bad on GF bread because it adds moisture. So, because PB is banned,

most days my son takes a microwaveable meal and heats it up. Him

having to microwave his lunch takes time away from his already too-

short lunchtime of 20 mins and often he complains about not having

enough time to eat. The school's response is " he can stay in during

his recess " but c'mon - do you know a 2nd grade boy who would ever

pass up recess to eat!!! Give me a break!

The second thing that really bugs me about the peanut-free thing is

that I am not afforded the same care for my son who can't have

wheat, barley, rye or oats. How about all those crumbs at the lunch

table from the other kids eating their sandwiches??? How about the

countless birthday parties where some Mother, unannounced, brings in

CUPCAKES even though the teacher has repeatedly said to give her

advanced notice so that I can have a cupcake there for my son? I'm

expected to bend over backwards for those with peanut allergies, but

no one gives a hoot about my son who can't have gluten. It just

doesn't seem fair to me - and that really bugs me.

Now to those who are going to respond with the " anaphalactic

reaction with immediate death difference " argument. Please don't.

I have already read those posts and I personally disagree. I

watched my mother die at age 52 after 20 years of slow death because

of exposure to gluten which resulted in her having myesthenia

gravis - common in those with celiac. It's a horrible disease to

live with - I know. This is what I'm trying to prevent in my child -

so death quickly verses death slowly is equal in my mind.

I obey the " no peanut " rule. I just don't like it and I don't think

it's fair. But - hey - who ever said life was fair?

Again - please don't flame me - I'm just expressing my opinion on

this subject.

Cathy

> >

> > As a parent of a child with airborne peanut reactions and

> anaphylactic

> > reactions with any contact to peanuts.... no I don't expect the

> entire

> > classroom or the school to be " responsible " for my daughters

> allergy but I

> > do expect them to take reasonable steps to protect my child from

> dying,

> > which is what the reaction could easily be with her level of

> allergy. This

> > was especially true when she was in elementary school. As a

young

> child she

> > didn't have the skills enough to recognize situations where she

was

> at risk

> > so at that age, yes I expected the school to take steps to keep

her

> safe.

> >

> > I'm very happy to report back then the principal of her school

> agreed with

> > me and asked the parents in her classroom to voluntarily not

send

> their

> > kids with peanut products. Every single parent complied with

this

> request,

> > every single year. The parents had my phone number and would

call

> me about

> > products they had at home. It worked out wonderfully for us.

Were

> mistakes

> > made (like with power/snack bars)? Maybe so but I'm not aware

of

> any, every

> > single parent was so nice about it, my daughter became

everyone's

> child and

> > on field trips and such..... all the parents were constantly

> monitoring food

> > and snacks around her (I did go on every field trip).

> >

> > They decided not to ban peanuts in the entire school but gave my

> daughter a

> > separate lounge to eat her lunch in (she could pick 5 friends a

day

> to eat

> > there with her). Again the precautions that everyone took for

us

> really

> > worked... she was in that school for 5 years (to 4th grade) and

> only had 2

> > reactions. Then she went to another school where they didn't

take

> the issue

> > as seriously and she would have to come home or go to the

hospital

> 3 times a

> > week, her grades suffered, her confidence suffered and she got

> behind.

> >

> > Now she is in 8th grade and she has only had a few reactions

this

> year, the

> > only precaution she has is a peanut free lunch table but, the

> difference is

> > that she can now read labels, she is old enough and mature

enough

> to take

> > care of her allergy. The other saving grace is that in Middle

> school very

> > few kids eat PB & J its just not " cool " .

> >

> > So you know what... it really does take a village to keep our

kids

> happy and

> > healthy and I guess I've convinced myself that I do expect help

and

> > understanding from others... I'd certainly do it for their kids

(in

> my

> > daughters school there is a child with latex allergy so severe

that

> the

> > entire school does not have ANY latex in it and I'm happy to

abide

> by that

> > rule).

> >

> > You mentioned that your child has asthma and celiac, those are

very

> > different then an anaphylactic airborne peanut allergy, I know

> about them

> > first hand too, my peanut girl has both!

> >

> > > Are 50 parents (one classroom) responsible for the safety of

> someone

> > > else's child?

> > >

> > > Are 500 parents (entire school) responsible for the safety of

> someone

> > > else's child?

> >

> > > As the parent of a child with not only celiac but also a

> complicated

> > > list of allergies and intolerances, I do not expect other

parents

> to

> > > be responsible for my child's safety. To date, he has not had

any

> > > analphylactic reactions, but I have already been warned by the

> > > allergist he is at risk for them, and he does have major asthma

> > > attacks from certain allergens. Dogs are a major trigger for

his

> > > asthma *and people can die from asthma in a very few minutes*

*,

> can I

> > > ban dogs in all public places because of one person's needs?

He

> also

> > > reacts to " secondhand dog " on other people's clothes, can I

insist

> > > every child in class live in a dog-free home? No, neither of

> those is

> > > reasonable.

> >

>

May 25, 2006