Food Allergy Adventures: Back to School

Now that the lazy, hazy days of summer have flown by – it’s time to go back to school.  With the excitement of a new classroom, new teacher and new experiences comes the reality of what all of that means - teaching the teacher.  No matter how many food allergic children his new teacher has had in the past– she hasn’t had my child.  So in addition to a whole new classroom of children with all kinds of differing needs and issues, she has to learn about all of the quirks that go with his allergies (what he can touch but can’t eat, can’t eat or touch, can’t even look at…).

Before my son even started kindergarten I had a meeting with the principal and school nurse to discuss his medical needs.  At that time we developed an Emergency Action Plan.  Prior to the meeting his allergist had filled out a very detailed form provided by the school district that discussed just about every emergency situation that could arise and which steps (Benadryl, EpiPen, contact his physician or call 911) that had to be taken for each one.  We sat with that form and discussed what needed to be done to keep him safe.  This made me feel much better, I knew that they were taking it seriously and I had now started a relationship with the nurse and principal.

Every year the teacher is notified of his allergens and notes are sent home to the other student’s parents telling them of any food allergies in the classroom (no names are used).  I work with the class mother and check the ingredients on any packaged foods served during parties to confirm their safety. I send in a bunch of safe snacks for him to have whenever any homemade goods are to be served or if an unexpected treat is being provided that I haven’t checked.  The only limitation to his classmates is peanuts.  While they can have peanuts in their lunch or in anything served in the cafeteria, the classroom must remain peanut free.  My son is not sensitive to the smell of peanuts but many peanut allergic children are, and they should feel and be safe in their classroom

Our school cafeteria has a table for children with peanut products in their lunch.  I love this solution! Children can choose to have a peanut butter sandwich while the child that has no choice isn’t forced to be separated from his friends just because of his allergies.  I also have 2 children without peanut allergies and I would have no problem with them sitting at the peanut table.  I think trying to declare a whole school peanut free is impossible, since so many products may possibly contain peanuts.  It’s an unfair burden to put on the other parents and may give a false sense of security since it is impossible to police what is in each lunchbox

I still worry every day while he is in school.  Will Billy spill milk that my son then unknowingly touches?  Will Jane bring in a birthday treat that he really wants?  Is someone going to tease him?  What about the class cooking projects that he can’t participate in?  I guess that makes me like most other parents, whatever our fears or concerns are, we breathe a sigh of relief when they come home safe and sound at the end of the day.  Of course, that sigh can turn into something else entirely once homework time begins!