Anyone ever heard of a peanut free school?

[sweetangelbrynlie]

I posted the following thread on another board and it totally got out of hand, Im telling ya some of those women went wild.
Im wondering here if any of your children's schools are peanut free? Like all peanuts and peanut butter?

"My 6 y.o daughter has a life threatning peanut allergy. She just started kindergarden (i held her back a year, thats why she is 6 just starting)

Anyways, at first the school lunch had peanut butter everyday in school so they moved my DD to the school office to eat. But, when the kids would go back to their room they didn't wash there hands I suppose and would have peanut butter on them and my DD would break out into hives all over from head to toe and get raspy, they were calling me everyday because of this.

So.. they talked it over with the school board and made the school "peanut free" meaning no peanut butter or peanuts allowed, kids should not bring it in for lunch either. A note was sent home with all parents.

The parents raised a HUGE stink about it, some even got my home address and was sending me mean mail saying that's all their child would eat and now they can't, someone even left a jar of peanut butter laying on my porch swing (I kid you not!) It was getting bad. I was getting scared and I think the school officials were too.

So, now they are allowing the kids to bring peanut butter if they wish in their lunch boxes. My DD has to go upstairs to eat in the office. They are not properly washing their hands after lunch and once again DD is breaking out in hives and has been on predisone 6 times since school started August 8th, because when she is exposed she has breathing problems, wheezing, trouble breathing, and raspy. If she were to actually eat the peanuts she would probably die.

Anyways, just wondering if your childs school is peanut free? What on earth can I do? Im am fearful most of the day because of this. She does carry an Epipen with her.

Thanks so much for reading and if anyone is in my situation Id be greatful to hear what you have been through too."




So, the ladys on the other board said my child should not really be in public school at all, some didn't believe me that a trace of peanut could make my DD sick, some didn't believe me at all I think. Most were nice.

They mentioned homeschool. Wondering if anyone knows about homeschooling in KY? I may have to do this.

Would like yours thoughts as well.

Gina

[PatchyMama]

wow... i cant believe that some people cant get over themselves enough to understand that peanuts are dangerous for some kids

Our preschool is peanut free.

I have a very good friend who has a daughter who is allergic to peanuts. We are very careful ... if my dd touches peanut products and i know we are going to play with said friend she gets a full wash down, teeth brushing, etc. I couldnt imagine not caring enough about someone else's child limit a food choice

[PikkuMyy]

Hi Gina

There are actually several threads about this very issue happening right now - one in Nutrition and good Eating and one in Learning at School - do a search and read them.

I think you'll find that while the mamas on MDC are much more laid-back and kind, there are still some here who don't understand the issues involved in having such allergies and who think that telling you kid not to eat the food is enough. Luckily, many of us do understand, and are attempting to educate the other members who don't.

I, myself, grew up with life-threatening allergies, and many less-severe allergies (like to nuts). While I have outgrown some of the mild ones, I still am very allergic to nuts and go into anaphylactic shock from sheep's milk (feta and parmesan cheeses) and sulfite preservatives. I was not homeschooled, so I know what it's like.

As one knowledgeable mama pointed out, having a life-threatening allergy is a type of disability and public schools are required under the IDEA act to give them a FAPE (free and appropriate public education) with as little modification as possible.

The other parents can make all the stink they like but if your daughter is getting sick at school because of the peanuts, then the school is required, by law, to change policy or procedure so that she does not get sick. And there's nothing the other parents can do about it, except take it to court, where they will lose.

[Ruthla]

My son's school is peanut-free. It's a slight hassle for us, but not a major one.

I imagine that all schools will be peanut-free within the next few years.

I'm not sure what I'd do if I were in your situation, but I'd certainly look into local private schools as well as consider homeschooling. It sounds to me like it's not really safe for your dd to go the public school she's been attending.

[Jessica36]

By law they have to do peanut free depending on the state you are in. Your dd is covered under the Americans with disabilities act. Do you have a 504 for her?

Go to the food allergies link in my sig and sign up there, tons of great info and support!

[nannymom]

The pre-school the children I nanny for attend is peanut free and in NC there is an entirely peaunt free school district.

[Sharlla]

From what I hear this is happening a lot. And one school in canada (I believe) even stopped selling milk due to allergies.

[Vermillion]

The parents raised a HUGE stink about it, some even got my home address and was sending me mean mail saying that's all their child would eat and now they can't, someone even left a jar of peanut butter laying on my porch swing (I kid you not!)

I can not believe the nerve of some people! Heaven forbid someone be a bit inconvenienced by sending their child to school without nuts to help another child be safe!!!

Sorry, I have no helpful advice. I just wanted to reply because your post irritated me so much! (not you, the other parents’ attitudes!)

[kate~mom]

Originally Posted by sweetangelbrynlie

So, the ladys on the other board said my child should not really be in public school at all

ah, there's that silly free and appropriate public education thing again.
if you want your child in public school, and the district is willing to help you out - as it seems they are - great!
yes, there are a number of peanut-free schools around here, btw.

[DragonflyBlue]

What I find ironic about those who find peanut/nut bans in schools to be stupid is that while nobody has ever died from NOT having peanut butter or other nuts, people DO die from allergic reactions to nut exposure.

Yes, it may be a pain in the butt to tell your child he can't have his favorite PB & J for lunch. But I would think it is a far bigger pain for a child or adult to have an allergic reaction or to die from being exposed to their known allergen.

Just my thoughts.

Not sure if our schools have a ban or not.

Janis

[Lady Madonna]

My daughter's pre-school is peanut-free. There are so many easy substitutes for peanut butter - almond, cashew, sunflower butters for example - that I can't believe parents would be so horrible about it!

[Wolfmeis]

Gina I am so sorry.

My dd is also anaphylactic to peanuts and I originally explored homeschooling due to just this kind of uneducated, mean-spirited reaction. Your daughter has a disability and has a federally protected right to attend school. You will find many resources and people who have BTDT and are living it now at www.peanutallergy.com

We do homeschool now, for different reasons. My daughter remains allergic.

BIG sincere hugs to you. I KNOW what you're going through.

[charmander]

Going peanut free at school is not a big deal. We did it for 4 years while my DS was at a peanut-free preschool. We are vegetarians, so our lunch choices were a little restricted, but so what? It is better to have everyone safe than to worry about whether kids can have peanuts for one or two meals of the day..

[meowee]

my friend just got a note from her school saying no one is allowed to bring peanut products into the school b/c a preschooler is allergic. Honestly if I were the parent of that preschoolerI would never, ever trust all those other parents to comply or remember. I would probably homeschool, unless I had to work. But, I am inclined toward homeschooling anyway.

[KayleeZoo]

The teachers of my dd's kindergarten class looked at me like I was weird when I asked about any peanut allergies in the class, if we can bring things manufactured in the same processing plant w/peanuts, etc. I don't have kids w/severe food allergies, but I would feel absolutely horrid if we brought a snack that hurt another child. I am surprised that other parents were so ugly about it, but I'd push the administration on it if I were you. Your dd has a right to be safe and hey, having to change the stuff other kids eat at lunch might open new food doors for them!

[huggerwocky]

I understand both sides.I know peanut allergies can be life threatening.But so can other allergies.I don't know where the line is, when it is still ok to accomodate the child and when not.

[Corvus]

I COMPLETELY agree with the spirit and intent of peanut-free schools. I understand that peanut allergy can be fatal and is not simply a mild inconvenience for the child.

HOWEVER, I think that having schools be peanut-free simply provides a very false sense of security. Not all parents will comply with the rules. Some will simply not care, and some will simply not be educated enough to understand the severity of the allergy. Also, many processed products are labeled that they don't contain peanuts but are processed on equipment that also processes peanuts. Therefore, peanut contamination is possible in these products. Does "peanut-free" mean that these products are not allowed? If so, many parents will ignore that part of the rule, as most people do not bother reading labels.

If my child were allergic to peanuts, I would not rely on other parents to keep her/him safe. I do not trust other people enough to follow those rules. I would have to find some other way to educate my child, such as home-schooling. I realize that is not an option for everyone.

There must be some other answer. If my child were allergic to peanuts, I would not be sending her/him to public school, even if it were supposedly "peanut-free." It's just too risky.

[SpringRain]

Wow! First of all, I can't believe someone would leave a jar of peanut butter on your porch...that is dangerously close to a death threat! I'm so sorry you have to go though all of this. I can't even begin to imagine....

Secondly, I'm of two minds about the issue. I do believe that efforts should be made so that all children can go to school. On the other side, how far is this going to go? Where does the line get drawn on what is reasonable to expect the majority to do so that one person can do something? It's such a hard thing to decide.

I also worry about what some folks will be able to feed their children. My mom was a single mother of 4. We took PB&J and an apple every day the entire time I was in school...well, until I had a job and could afford to buy my own food. (and yes, to this day I can not eat a PB&J!) But, this was all she could afford to send us with; peanut butter provided by WIC, cheap white bread, etc. Everything else was much more costly, even leftovers needed expensive thermoses, etc. What can people in these kinds of situations feed there children if not PB? (Not trying to be snarky here, just genuinely concerned) Are the schools giving out info to parents about alternative, cheap lunch ideas? Is WIC going to start providing alternative nut butters? How can we balance all of these issues, and still not be unfair to someone?

[Corvus]

ITA, SpringRain.

[ryansmom02]

I to have a child with a severe peanut allergy and I hope this is not an issue when it comes time for him to go to school...... I am sorry you and your DC has had to deal with this....

Is have an allergy like this considered a disabilaty?