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Read comments (114)"My son has severe food allergies," said the parent, who requested her name not be used to protect her child's identity. "In the school setting, his greatest risk is when the entire school is eating anything with peanuts and tree nuts. Peanuts leave an unseen, unfelt residue that cannot be seen by the naked eye.
"My son can tell you what he cannot eat, but he cannot tell you what other people have touched before him."
The parent said peanut and tree nut products include, but are not limited to, peanut butter, cookies, brownies and anything that contains a label stating it "may contain" peanuts or was "processed on the same machinery as products with peanuts and tree nuts."
The parent asked the school to be proactive, rather than reactive.
"A peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a cookie is not worth someone dying over," the parent said. "Peanut butter is like a loaded gun because it is lethal to someone who is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts."
The parent also asked the board to send a letter to all parents requesting they do not allow peanuts or tree nut products to be brought into the school.
It was also recommended to the board that a special table be designated in the cafeteria for those who wish to eat peanut and tree nut products, rather than a table designated as peanut-free.
"That way the peanut butter is in one area of the cafeteria and not spread throughout the entire cafeteria," she said. "This will also keep the food allergic child from being singled out for his or her disability by sitting out for everyone to see. He will not be segregated from everyone else because of his food allergies."
The parent suggested alternatives to the food she's asking be eliminated. Instead of peanut butter sandwiches, she asked the schools serve turkey or ham sandwiches. She also said soy butter is a good substitute for peanut butter, and that fruits are a healthy alternative to cookies and brownies.
"I am asking for you to help me keep my child safe the way his doctors have instructed me and the only way I know how," she said.
The board thanked the parent and said they would consider her request.
Later in the meeting, Sheree Floyd reported on the School Age Care Program. Floyd asked the board for permission to comment on the peanut and tree nut presentation.
Floyd told the board the SACP had stopped serving peanut products about eight years ago.
"Through the years I see more and more children who are having problems with this," she said.
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I hope North Carolina A&T State University gets its allegen-free peanuts out there soon.
It also might help if we worked on preventing the development of these sensitivities from the get-go.
Speaking of sensitivity,a little more respect for those with differing opinions would not be amiss.
Most people care about others' welfare including their health and personal freedom.
They're ready to learn about a topic and seek reasonable solutions.
Being dismissive or accusatory toward people with opposing views could prove far more toxic than radon,communicable diseases,food allergens,animal dander,pollen.mold or other hazards that poison only the body.
This is tough for sure. My elementary aged child eats B&J sandwiches most days at school because the school lunches are horrible. Why can't someone go to the school board and tell to to require all school employees eat cafeteria food. The food quality and taste should improve.
:)
Ex-Shelbyvillian,
Angry? yep. Mean-spirited, no. Looking out for the majority, Yes. Let me ask you this, Do you have a solution? I didn't think so.
The solution is not to punish, reduce or take away nourishment from many people just because a small portion of them are affected.
In closing, I am glad you are gone as you were most likely part of the problem we are having now.
A few years back, I found out my daughter was allergic to Fish, so we were very careful of her having no contact with fish products. A year or so after that we found out she was allergic to peanuts, so I began reading labels of everything and sending her lunch instead of letting her eat the schools' food. Last year close to the end of school she kept breaking out in hives, sneezing, wheezing, and having a hard time breathing on a constant basis. It was very frustrating, her tongue would itch and swell, she would constantly scratch around her lips and all over her body. We took her to a specialist in Nashville where she had to take a bunch of allergy pricks to find out what she was allergic too. She is allergic to fish, peanut, chicken, a number of plants and flowers, dusts and dust mites, all kinds of furry things, and a host of other things.
She has asthma that is triggered by dust, moisture in the air, colds/sickness, over excerting herself, and getting to hot. She also has severe exczma along with all these allergies. She had to go and get an allergy shot every week, take pills dailly for asthma prevention, and has breathing treatments at home whenever needed.
The allergy shots made her symptoms much more worser than she was before taken it, her skin was broke out so bad and she was in so much pain from scratching. I had to take her off of it, and it cleared up about a week later. To be quite honest I think alot of these allergies are brought on by the vaccinations/immunization shots our children have to take from birth growing up. It is very scarry when you see your child broke out like that and fighting to get air.
If my daughter touched the oil of fish, chicken, or peanut she will begin itching, then sniffing and sneezing, breating irratically, and then breaking out in hives. I made the school aware of her health problems, and the triggers and what to do should they occur. She knows what to be around and what not, and to tell the teacher and nurse when ever her symptoms begin to occur.
I don't think the school should change their menu, but I do feel they need to wipe all areas where children eat, and have them clean their hands after eating to illiminate them from touching other children or objects after eating allergy type foods. I believe this is why my daughter kept having allergy reactions that year at school. They eat their snacks in the classrooms too. Parents with children of allergies need to fix their childrens lunch and snacks (foods they are able to eat at school), instead of letting them eat school food.
I also "would like" for their to be some type of help for parents who "DO" have to keep their child home for homeschooling because of health risks. Because more than likely the parent would have to let go of their job (less income in the family) and homeschooling ain't what I call cheap.
Should my daughter go through another episode of allergic reactions at school I will probably try looking at homeschooling her. Your childs safety should "ALWAYS COME FIRST". This can be a financial burden so I can understand why this parent would at least try to make a request to ban the peanut.
That parent requesting the ban said:
I HAD told everyone I could. I even took my child out of this school and homeschooled him until I could not longer do it for financial reasons. he did sit at a table designated for "peanut allergic" children. He STILL came in contact with peanuts from other children. I've tried to educate everyone I can on the seriousness of this allergy, what else can I do? -- Posted by stimpysgirl on Tue, Jul 29, 2008, at 1:05 PM
My prayers are with you and your child.
I cannot believe some of you. To say that we are punishing others to help those students in need is ridiculous. My daughter had a child in her class with a peanut allergy and he had a reaction one day just by smelling peanut butter. The trauma for my daughter by watching him go through that was bad enough. I would gladly have my child eat fruit and turkey sandwiches every day of the year if it means keeping another child safe.
Oh Gee Thanks, I feel really blessed being in that group you just mentioned.. I would rather be in that group of people than any others on these boards.
Although I would not considered any of us mean spirited. Although I myself have no problem jumping on a bandwagon when any American's rights are being violated, even children. Our children have rights just as you do and we are here to protect those rights.
If that makes you unhappy: Oh well, You are the sad one that someone should feel sorry .
Oh yeah, how could I overlook "Christian" Dad. The irony of his username is priceless!
G-Man's Mom,
If you come here to read articles from the Shelbyville Times-Gazette often, you'll soon come to realize that these message boards are scoured and commented on almost exclusively by the same band of hoodlums that are considered mean-spirited bullies in any society. Screen names such as EvilMonkey, DianaTN, RebelRose,Punkin1129, DaisyMae, ShelbyvilleMom, etc. all love to get on the "majority rules" wagon and grind their axes on the same stone.
It used to make me angry when I would read their hateful comments, but then I grew to realize that they are sad individuals who can't see past their noses when it comes to their community. Instead of feeling anger, I now feel sorry for them when I read their posts. And a lot of the time I get a chuckle or two out of them.
So, just know that they are now going to attack you personally and pick apart every word you have said to justify their point of view. You may feel the urge to lash back out at them when they do that, but don't waste your time. They will move on to the next article with their hatred tomorrow.
I agree with one of the bloggers that mentioned this family is seen at many public events...why is there no issue there?
I am allergic to penicillin, should the hospitals and doctor's offices be penicillin-free?? NO!
I too am very sorry for this family's struggles with food allergies, but I know of several families that have food allergies and they taught their children what they could and could not have. When their children would stay the night with ours I would be sure to keep them away from the milk, eggs, etc that they were allergic to...however, my children still ate them and my friends (the child's parents) did not have a problem with it.
I hope that the school board will get this one right. Folks need to get some responsibility for theirselves and their children. The school board need not punish everyone for the benifit of few like they did for the uniform dress code. I feel sorry for the kids disability, but last time I checked this is democracy, majority rules! We aren't communistic.
Well said starparent.
Under IDEA, laws that protect children with disabilities, this parent has the right to have an aide with her child who can wipe up before and after. If she chooses the child be "mainstreamed" that child will be exposed to everything all other children are.
As a parents of a child who has a Qualifying disability, our motto has always been.....The world won't conform to the person, person has to conform to the world.
We've never thought to ask All who come in contact learn sign language, everyone carry a pencil and paper, so we can Read what you're saying, everyone yell please, we can't hear you!!! Don't be happy, sad, mad, or even slightly disappointed, we'll read your body language and know exactly what you're Not saying, and could possibly be offended.
If your child's disability doesn't impair his/her ability to access curriculum in the regular classroom, you have a lunch room Accomodation to be requested. Not Modifications to board policies.
When suggesting accomodations for our child (going on 12 yrs) in the regular mainstream of school we keep one thought at the forefront, Will these benefit All around??? Since we are Choosing the regular setting, and share in your desire not to have our child "singled out."
When a life and death situation is present, most would choose not to send a loved one into that situation. It's about choices,not forcing others to conform. Educate, help others be aware...Not Demand. How will children know how to deal with a Real World, if we keep them in a modified one for 18 yrs?
Has anyone noticed that all the proponents are saying that allergies to Peanuts/Treenuts are life threatening but not the other ones like milk, wheat and a few others. If they remove Nuts, they must remove wheat and milk too.
Notice they want special tables set aside for peanut eaters but not their child... the one with the "special need". So you punish the many for a select few. Sounds like the dress code eh? Well we know how the Board would vote on this.
And to the ones that state we show no compassion for the child, that is utter BS when that child's mom wants to punish 1000s of other children because of her child malady. Why can't she show compassion by packing her child's lunch, or even possibly teaching her child from home? Why place her child in harm's way now instead of her child in a safe environment until he/she can develop the means to read the labels or to ask?
The lack of compassion card can be played both ways and any proponents need to understand. Majority always should win over the few.
Yea I agree it is ignorant and selfish to think an entire school should cater to one person with an allergy!!!
There is a difference in having Nut free zones and trying to control what the entire school eats!!
It is amazing how ignorant and selfish people can be. I have worked in the medical field and know how extremely dangerous peanut allergies can be. These children eventually learn to question and read labels to prevent a reaction but until they reach that age we have to protect them and teachers are too busy to be responsible for this. I doubt it will kill any child to go all day without peanuts but it could kill a child who has an allergy if they were exposed. My children are not allergic to peanuts but I will be more than happy to follow this ban if it might possibly save a childs life. Lets get our priorities straight!
G-man's mom
Is your child's school Peanut/Tree nut Free?
Taking away a primary source of nutrition for another student is not the answer. Adjustments can be made without completely banning peanut products.
What does a person with a peanut allergy actually eat and do they ever go to a restaurant etc.? What and where do people with other food allergies eat?
G-Man's Mom,
Perhaps, seeing as you don't know anything about this child or the mother, don't live in this county, and don't have any idea what this child's school has already done as far as accomodations and reducing the risk, you shouldn't be the one so quick to make a comment that starts with IGNORANT. Perhaps, your lack of knowledge of county, the school, the kid, the mom, and the situation would qualify your statement as one made in ignorance of all the circumstances surrounding the issue.
IG-NO-RANT (acc. to Webster):showing a lack of knowledge. This is what I gather from most of these posts. I'm a mom of a son who has a DEADLY allergy to peanuts. I do not live in your county but was told about this blog (news is a travlin'!). You know what I find most shocking here is the lack of basic human compassion! Where is it? The attitude of some here are unreal! No. I dont live in your town and have no comment on what YOUR school does or doesn't do, but would like to ask this: Wouldn't you, if you could, REDUCE the chances of your child dying? We can't eliminate them but tell me, would you do any and everything possible to reduce the chance? If you have held your little one in your arms rushing to the E.R. watching as he or she is struggling to breathe, as I have, you would understand.
Why make this such a big deal? What are a few inconveniences to help out this family and others like them? No one whats to be "bothered" or "told what to do". Yes, accidents and exposures will happen and we hope our children will remember what to do and how to use the Epi-Pen (if they are old enough) but again, why not reduce the risks?
I have to say we have been blessed so far with supportive and caring school staff, teachers and parents and I pray there will be more of that here.If nothing else happens at least this mom has gotten the awareness out there and if some are moved to be more understanding, then great!
To this mom I say YOU GO GIRL! I will be praying for your family and the school.
Yes indeed, the Board of Education and the school systems can/should develop a written accommodation plan -a 504 Plan-, (if they haven't done so already) with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Rehabilitation Act, etc, as the guideline.
Where does this stop, wanting government to take an even greater role in child rearing. If you cannot control what your child eats at school, perhaps you should home school them. Quit making a whole population suffer because your child has a health issue.
a peanut free area in the lunch room,
a sign on the doors out side classroom doors
" Beware of peanut Allergy" something like that
for the parents to see that may bring snacks,
a classroom meeting with parents at the being of the school year if you have a child in your class to make us alert...something, I think the focus should mainly be on elementary schools, when you reach middle and high schools you should know about your health conditions.
If the kids have health week discuss all allergies and preventions..do not hold all the scary details back from the children, educate them to their age level.
I really think the issue can be worked on without a peanut butter ban. What do you think school board?
and to all the moms out there whos children have all kinds of differently opticles to face...do not huffer them, teach them, let them grow, they could wake up in the morning and you no be there.
parenthood is full of joy, tears, and frustration, but we all need to let them grow a step each day...it's hard, but we also grow a step each time we let go.
No Daisy I don't think anyone is suggesting that, We are simply stating when you have a child with a disability you accommodate that one child not change the entire student body to accommodate him.
There is not one person who would disagree that it would be just fine to have a peanut free table in the lunch room but to suggest that no child in the entire school eat any peanut related products is ridiculous.
Am I wrong or are some of you suggesting that the Board of Education and the Bedford County School System just not provide any accommodations to the children who have food-allergic disability?
There are different severities and other allergies of any kind can pose a risk of death. How do we know who will develop an allergy and when it will strike? One of my friends developed a severe allergy to cats--swelling, sneezing, itching, hives. Bee sting reactions are also sometimes unexpected.
My kids do read labels and have experienced hives, itching, and swelling. They are also allergic to certain medicines. Should these medicines be eliminated?
I have lived with severe allergies since I was a kid and have dealt with them on a daily basis.
We can reduce the risk by making teachers and parents aware. I thought teachers normally used a sign-up list for snacks and as a parent I was always concerned with those kids who couldn't eat chocolate so I sent an alternative as a choice.
Nuts are one of the few food allergies my kids don't have and--
Again, my concern is that there will be nothing allowed that my kid would eat--period!
From the Mayo Clinic:
the top eight food allergies, which account for 90 percent of all documented food allergies:
Milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Tree nuts (such as almonds, cashews, walnuts)
Fish (such as bass, cod, flounder)
Shellfish (such as crab, lobster, shrimp)
Soy
Wheat
This list also represents the foods most likely to cause a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
So you see it's just not about nuts.
Kids and adults have had Food allergies for years and always managed to go out into public and send their children to school.Just make sure the school is aware of your problem and you have provided the school nurse with Epinephrine (EpiPen) in case of an outbreak.
It really doesn't take a village to raise a child it just takes some common sense and some normal precautions with any child, just not with children with nut allergies. Again I am sorry your child has this problem I would not wish this on any child but look around and see children who are in much worse shape than your child and be blessed he is even able to walk or talk. If avoiding nuts and keeping a EpiPen handy is the worse thing your child ever has, be Thankful to God because it could have been much much worse.
faithfirst,
It is still an extreme minority. Realize the world does not revolve around your child.
I am going to have a few peanuts, anyone else want to join me. But wait, I better not go out in public afterward. I may touch a sensitive person.
How about thinking 'how can we provide our children with the best education possible' and not worry about every eventuallity that may or may not happen, or even things we may or may not be able to control.
Many of you continue to post the comment that it's all about one kid with a peanut allergy, and the overprotective mother, but it's not just about one kid! Keep reading...the posts continue to reveal many children with peanut allergies and thankfull parents that this situation is finally getting the attention it deserves. For those of you who find sarcastic humor at the expence of children who struggle to adapt in an unsafe, possibly fatal environment...please show a little compassion! Your attitudes stink! Your posts are all about "What she needs to do is home school..." How about thinking "How can I help theese mothers and children work through this issue so we can have schools that everyone can attend with out fear!" Then you should take time to thank God that your child doesn't have to have you read every label before they eat ANYTHING FOR RISK OF HIVES, SWELLING, ITCHING OR DEATH!
I think I mixed up life-long citizen with someone else . . . sorry about that.
One important point that has not been recognized is this:
Peanut allergies are much more likely to be severe and therefore potentially deadly than other allergies. Therefore the risk is greater.
While it is important for people with other allergies to take precautions it is even more vital for those having a peanut allergy. Comparing grass, wheat, etc allergies to peanut allergies is not quite an accurate assessment. To be fair there are those with severe allergies to virtually anything and they too are at greater risk.
It is difficult for all of us to deal with these issues. Compromise, compassion, understanding, empathy, sincerity, and being good neighbors would go a long way to solving such issues.
So I guess before you know it, we will all be eating soy butter sandwiches (gluten-free bread of course)with no jelly (can't have all that sugar either), & washing it down with soy milk drank from a bamboo cup (in an approved color, of course- no stripes please).
We will all wear our approved style of clothing in the approved colors made of the approved fabric, when we go to work at our jobs that were chosen for us based on genetic and aptitude testing.
I could go on, but...
Think I'm joking?
-- Posted by scrapbooker on Tue, Jul 29, 2008, at 1:59 PM
Haha, this had me ROFL... So incredibly true!
My concern is that my child would not eat-period!
Why should many be modified to acommodate the one. Peanut Butter has been in schools and jails as long as I can remember. Maybe this child should be home schooled or attend a private school who can adjust to special needs children.
My son has peanut, wheat, corn, potatoes,milk, eggs, grass, dust mites, trees, dogs, cats and many more allergies. I think it would be great if they could take peanuts out of the school considering that he had eaten peanuts all of his life and did not become allergic until he was in 6th grade. That means any child at anytime can become allergic without any sign until it's too late. I was just lucky it was not fatal. I do think though that asking the BOE to stop students from bring anything that has been around nuts is a little crazy considering almost everything has been made next to or near a nut. If you read the labels you find that the only thing you can eat that hasn't been in contact with any nut would be home grown fruits or vegetables because what you get in the store could have been shipped here with nuts. It would be best to home school than to ask the school to try to control this. Teachers have enough to keep up with as it is without having to check lunches. If she thinks it is bad now just wait until the child gets in high school where just for the fun of it a child wiped peanut butter on my son. He knew to go wash right away but it could have been fatal. Then he had a girl friend that ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches everyday for lunch. Its just beginning!!!!!!
JenniferC,
That's just it. The teachers ARE careful, take precautions and make special arrangements. It wouldn't be such a big deal if it were only about not cooking "with peanut oil" or not eating peanut butter. However, what this lady is requesting would get rid of MANY other options on the school menu, including (as I said before) anything that came off the same machines where anything with peanuts or tree nuts had been processed.
Also, she would like to restrict what everyone else brings in their lunches, and put those who choose to eat something her child is allergic to at a "special" table. That IS a big deal.
You guys are making way too big a deal of this. None of my 4 children have any allergies to peanuts, however, I will educate them on the importance of not cross contaminating other children. My children go to Cascade and my daughter had a child in her class that was allergic to peanuts. There were notes sent home and several reminders throughout the year not to send peanut products as snacks. I wasn't there, but I am sure that the teacher was very careful about cross contamination. Furthermore, would it really be that much to ask that the schools not cook with peanut oil? I mean, no, they can't ban it from the schools, but just a few simple precautions wouldn't hurt. And I KNOW my children would benefit from washing their hands more. And I recall someone already bringing it up that each boy or girl, depending on the class, is responsible for bringing baby wipes to school as a supply. I am sure the teachers utilize these.
jaxspike,
Actually, I think he was stating the same point, but in different terms.
justwonderin,
There is nothing wrong with standing up for their child, but to insist other children need to conform their entire lifestyle for that one child? Don't think so.
It would be like me stating I want you to kiss my hand each time you approach me whether you like it or not. Yes, I think I am going to approach the county about that.
I think this is crazy. But then Im still mad about the dress code too.
KUDOS!! to the lady who feels strong enough about this to stand up to soooo many people in this community....I don't have a dog in this fight but I do see her side of this its only served a couple times a year so whats all the drama..I think that there are far more stronger subjects that stand out in the back of mind such as:: this =)
Do you think this many people stood up when they were taking the 10 commandments out of school? & or Prayer??? They think that they have taken prayer out of school, BUT I don't think that prayer will ever be taken out, for the fact being there are so many kids that do pray before a test. LOL
As they say choose your battles & I think this is one battle that isn't worth all the criticism.. Now maybe if she was suggesting on ummm lets say taking something more meaningful out maybe yes.
Just my thoughts have a blessed day!!!
Jaxpike,
Perhaps you should re-read. You are attempting to start an argument with a person who just argued the same point you are.
Life-long citizen . . . it is you who has failed to see the point. There is not a single commenter in here who does not feel for child or wish that child the best and most of us also would agree there should be plans put in motion to deal with this kind of problem and try and resolve it in a manner that benefits the child but at the same time doesn't infringe on other children or cause undue burden on the school.
What people are disagreeing with is the fact that the mother wants nuts and nut products to be taken out of schools which is unreasonable. It also starts a precedence for other parents to start asking that other items be banned and then it snowballs and gets out of control. That is what people are saying that disagree with the ban and they are not just being heartless as you insinuated.
Life Long Citizen,
Thank you for your post.
I could not agree with you more!
It is absolutely acceptable for this parent to ask for special accomodations for her son, as in allergen free tables, no cross-contamination, hand washing, awareness, and an emergency plan. However, what this parent is doing is asking that the entire school system rid itself of all products that come into contact with peanuts or tree nuts, whether it is an ingredient or may come into contact in production.
It is a bit unfair for those of you who are commenting as if the rest of us have no concern for a child with an allergy or the possible reaction he may have. I haven't seen a post yet that seemed to not care at all about a child's well-being. However, when appropriate accomodations have already been afforded this child, it is unreasonable to ask such drastic measures of an entire school system and the children in it simply as a precaution for a very few.
-- Posted by life-long citizen on Wed, Jul 30, 2008, at 10:20 AM
Life-long citizen has expressed my feelings most articulately. Thank you!
Ok, so we take all peanut products out of schools. What happens when a child eats a peanut product and then goes shopping with his Mom, and gets peanut residue on the shopping carts, walls, floor, shelves, video games... whatever the allergic child may touch. What if a child eats a peanut product at the county fair and then rides some of the rides? What if a child eats peanut butter before going to the Rec Center to play? The problem cannot be solved in just schools, kids eating peanut butter are everywhere. Are we going to have to ban peanuts and peanut products from the entire country? I wonder how former president Jimmy Carter would feel about that?
Send all kids to school with handsoap, and make sure they wash up. That means all the kids. And that alchohol sanitizer won't do it. That's my nickel's worth.
Daisy Mae -
I read the link you provided and it speaks clearly of "allergen safe tables", meal substitution for the child with allergies, hand washing, avoidance of cross-contamination in the lunchroom and classroom, encouraging parents to send "safe" snacks and making sure they don't share snacks or lunches, teaching the child to read labels, etc. The bulk of the handout speaks of treating reactions with medication and quick response, not converting the school to an allergen free tent.
From what I understand, this child's school did everything in their power to make life as normal as possible for this child. There were special accomodations made with the lunchroom, the classroom, the teacher, and every aspect of the child's school life.
It is absolutely acceptable for this parent to ask for special accomodations for her son, as in allergen free tables, no cross-contamination, hand washing, awareness, and an emergency plan. However, what this parent is doing is asking that the entire school system rid itself of all products that come into contact with peanuts or tree nuts, whether it is an ingredient or may come into contact in production.
It is a bit unfair for those of you who are commenting as if the rest of us have no concern for a child with an allergy or the possible reaction he may have. I haven't seen a post yet that seemed to not care at all about a child's well-being. However, when appropriate accomodations have already been afforded this child, it is unreasonable to ask such drastic measures of an entire school system and the children in it simply as a precaution for a very few.
Shouldn't a 'child's life' have priority over another 'child's lunch'?
I think enough kids have allergies to peanuts that taking precautions are much easier to deal with than the death of a child. Don't you think?
My understanding is some states may now be signing "new laws" for the Department of Education to create food allergy management guidelines for schools and also for school districts to develop food allergy policies.
Does the Bedford County Department of Education and the schools, at least, have a allergy policy or a food allergy management guideline?
One example of this policy is New York State. Their policy outlines how schools can protect food-allergic students by developing a partnership that includes the student and family, the administrators, the teachers, the health care staff, the food service people, the transportation people, the coaches, and even the volunteer's involved in school activities, after-school activities and field trips.
For those who would like to review this here is the link.
"Making the Difference: Caring for Children with Life-Threatening Allergies"
http://www.schoolhealthservicesny.com/up...
I think the point of the parents with children who have this allergy is that the allergy not only reacts to ingesting the peanuts or tree nuts, but also reacts when the child comes in contact with the residue.
While I do understand the allergy, I do not agree with the argument of this mother. Let's say you do get the peanut butter removed from the school menu - that wouldn't be too big of a deal because they probably have it like 2-3 times a year. However, you are not requesting removal of only peanut butter. As previously stated by "LifeIsGreat", there are a whole list of products which would be removed, not to mention ANYTHING else that comes in contact with the same machinery as peanuts.
The whole idea is ridiculous. The craziest part is that, even if you managed to have this done, and even if you managed to put a "control" on what my kid brought in her lunchbox, you wouldn't be able to protect him from what my kid had on her shoe, her clothes or her skin when she walked in, because I am ABSOLUTELY not going to deprive my child of nutrients so that you can mold society to your ways to protect your son, rather than teaching him how to cope.
What you are suggesting is simply SELFISH. You say that you are doing what anyone would for their child, and so are the rest of us. We do not believe that our children should be restricted from being children and eating what they please because your child has an allergy.
The argument works on a lot of topics, and the point of it is that most children have some sort of allergy or restriction. It would be unfair of any of us to request that the school cater to each of our children by restricting the others to meet our agenda.
By the way, this isn't a NEW allergy. Isn't it amazing how people used to live through things, rather than mommy making the world better for them? That's probably why they know how to cope with life now. I can't even imagine what you are doing to these kids and how dependant and whiny they will be when the real world hits them.
I agree with cantfixsupid. You all will never understand until you have a child with an allergy. When you have a child thats face swells up three times its normal size, can't breath, has hives from head to toe and that just to name a few things that happens to a child when they get into contact with peanuts. It is not a walk in the park when you have to take your child to the ER and have them stick your child 50 times with needles to safe their life. I have one more year before my child starts Public Schools and yes I will be making the same request!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Faithfirst . . . don't use nonfactual information to just back up your special claim. Other food allergies can be just as deadly such as milk, shellfish and even strawberries. So your case isn't special in that regard and if we outlaw peanuts from school then what is next? Are we going to outlaw milk and wheat and everything else that a few children are allergic too? Take responsibility for your own child and teach what is acceptable to eat because they can't go through life expecting everyone else to accommodate to their special need.
This is getting ridiculous. If you want to go and complain to the school board then go ahead . . . but there will be a hundred more to complain about how silly your demand is.
How about struggling for years with a child who is an extremely picky eater and always shows up below the curve on the growth scale at the doctor's office?
When your child only eats specific foods, then removing that food as a choice will mean more nutritional needs that are not met.
My kids are not allergic to nuts, but are allergic to wheat, milk, corn, oranges, and anything outside. They have learned to live with those allergies and take medicines and shots and also have epipens and inhalers.
If the allergy is that severe, wouldn't the Doctor recommend placing that child as homebound?
Of course we all understand the sererity of this situation, but is it any different than any other sever situation. If a child has a seizure disorder is it's the school job to then make sure that all floors and walls are padded to insure that the child doesn't bang his or her head when they fall. If a child has hemophilla, is the school then to remove every rock, stick, pencil, pen or fork to assure that child doesn't get a wound that will not stop bleeding.
If you mainstream a child, that means your child joins the flow of that society. You do not change the flow to fit the child's special needs.
I was avoiding saying this, but I feel this mother has one agenda and it's not the welfare of her child. She came to the school board with a complaint. Now, if her child has an allergic reaction to something at school, she can then bring litigation against the school system. If she really was concered about the safety of she child, she would remove him from the school system and seek private homeschooling.
Come to think of it, I need to complain about the shape of the soccer fields at the park so I can bring litigation against the City of Shelbyville the next time my child sprains an ankle in a hole in the middle of the field.
faithfirst,
I have an idea, Homeschool them, Why should 7500 students change their diet over one kid? OR do you suggest everyone else homeschool their children because they don't agree? Do we get our tax money back? If so, I would homeschool in a minute.
Ummm actually any allergy can be deadly not just nuts. Shellfish, wheat, milk, soy, flowers and yes even grass can cause death if the allergy is severe.
There is an estimated 100-150 people who die each year from allergies not just nut allergies, all allergies and that is in the entire United States.
We take more risk everyday by driving or swimming or boating than you are taking with your child having an allergy. If you check the numbers for deaths in car crashes each year I am sure you will find the numbers much higher than those who have died from allergies. Yet you continue to drive.
I understand you feel you can not protect your child from this allergy and I truly feel for you. But you can not protect your child from life whether it be nuts, wheat, shellfish, bees, snakes, Bad dogs or any of the other hazards of life. Instead of trying to keep people from having nuts around why not teach your child to avoid nuts and anyone who may be eating them? Chances are at some point in your child's life he will come in contact with nuts and he needs to know what to do. Seems like now is the time to teach him.
I hope for your child's sake he grows out of this but every report I have read states it is unlikely. So it is your job to prepare your child for the danger because you will never remove the problem entirely from his life.
My son has a peanut and tree nut allergy. I pack his lunch every day. He knows not to eat or touch any other food. This doesn't protect him from other children who have nut oil or residue on there hands after P&J was served at school. A PEANUT/TREE NUT ALERGY IS THE ONLY FOOD ALERGY THAT IS DEADLY! If my child touches the wall after your kid didn't really wash his hands, then rubs his eyes, mouth or nose...he could have a reaction and die! How would you like to live with that thought every day you dropped him off at school? By removing peanuts and tree nuts from the menu, this eliminates the culprit! Please be sensitive to how serious this issue really is! I plan to go to the school board too! Thanks to the mom who made the request! I back you 100%!!
In Kindergarten, my son had to bring snacks for his entire class once a month. I'm quite sure some of the snacks I sent had peanut or other food allergens. So, in this instance, yes, I agree that each student should eat his/her own snack brought from home.
The school system has a responsibility to ensure student safety. The school system is attentive to student safety and health concerns...time is planned to train teachers about various health issues including allergies. This is standard yearly training.
What are suggestions for the school:
no peanut products in the classroom (for eating or projects)
peanut free zone in the cafeteria
provide time for washing hands before and after eating
This has nothing to do with anyone being friends with this family. I have no idea who this lady is and I don't blame her for wanting to protect her child. What I have a problem with is her trying to control what every child eats because of her child's allergies. Not only does she want to control the school menu but she also wants to control what my child brings in her lunch.
Being Diabetic is certainly life threatening also..so sugar could be just as lethal to a diabetic as nuts are to this child. So I guess it would be ok for the parent of a diabetic child to ask the board to remove all products that contain sugar from their menu and ask that nothing with sugar in it be brought into the school.
And actually it is somehow much harder for a child to refuse a cookie than it is a bowl full of nuts.
My! My! How ugly can some people be? To what lengths have some of you gone to protect your child. Really think about it, what you have done to protect your child? You might buy helmets or safety gear. You might have bought them a cell phone for emergencies. None of the normal things that you would consider will work in this situation.
Do any of you completely understand the severity of a peanut or nut allergy? Do you understand that it is life threatening? For those of you who do not, it means that you will DIE! Do some research before you blast someone for trying to protect their child. Check out some of the websites that another person has posted. You might just get an education and gain some sympathy.
"When one member of a community is in danger, one hopes that other members will rally behind that individual, even if support is not always the most convenient option." This is a great quote and should not be forgotten. Let's hope you will not be bashed if you need help.
If you know this family, then maybe you should sympathize, because no one else seems to. How do you know that child does not already pack their lunch? How do you know if that child does not already have an epi-pen? How do you know if that child does not already have an allergy bracelet? How do any of you know how serious it really is? How do any of you know unless you walked in that family's shoes? And yes a food allergy is considered a disability and that person is protected by the law.
If you read the article, this person did not ask to ban it from home. This person requested it not be brought from home. They requested it be removed from the school menu. If a child is allergic to bees, do you stick that child in a room full of bees? I think not. This person is just asking to reduce the risk. What is the harm in that?
The last time I checked peanut butter was not served at Wal-mart or ball games. If this person that made this request has to deal with people who cannot spell who are supposed to be educated, then no wonder the person is afraid for their child's life!
I really hope this family does have some friends, apparently there are none here!
I am going to agree with the peanut ban, but I want my child's allergies to be looked after too.
I am going to ask for wheat and milk to be removed from the school menu then I will ask them to remove all the grass and plants from the school grounds because my child is highly allergic to the point of it could kill him.
Obviously it is impossible for a school or any other institution to prevent contact with allergens. The point of my argument is this:
Once a danger to anyone in the school system is recognized the school system is obligated to attempt to minimize the risk. I don't know what the best method is but I am certain the issue demands prompt and deliberate attention from the school board.
As an aside for the life of me I cannot understand how anyone can consider a ban on peanut butter "suffering" etc? Inconvenient, expensive, controlling - perhaps - but not suffering [grin]! I love the stuff but I can live happily without it.
As for home schooling, special needs classes, etc there are circumstances where this may not be possible. It is also true that it is never certain just how severe a reaction will be such that dismissing allergic reactions as inconvenient rashes for example is an attempt to ignore the problem hoping it may go away.
We'll never completely eliminate contact with allergens in our schools no matter the effort and expense. What I would like to see is a school policy on food allergies (as well as other allergies) and special training of school personnel along with availability of epipens, benadryl, or other proper emergency medical aids for life threatening allergic reactions. This should be implemented in our schools as has been done in other locations. Such an action would lessen the burden on everyone and possibly save the life of a student or faculty member suffering a severe reaction. This would clearly be a proactive measure rather than reacting too late and unprepared to a tragedy that should have been avoided.
I am very sympathetic to the plight this parent is living with and I wish the family the best. My opinion is that any considerations made should fall within the category of REASONABLE
What is reasonable to ask other parents to do? What is reasonable to ask a teacher to do? What is reasonable to ask the parent and student to do?
Is it reasonable to ask me to have my children who will be packing lunches this year not take any manufactured goods processed in the same location as peanut products - here's a list of items that would be not allowable:
All granola bars
Trail mixes
Chex Mix
Moon Pies
Whales
Some popcorns
Pretzels
Pre-packaged cheese-n-crackers
All Little Debbie goods
All bakery goods from Kroger or Wal-Mart (and probably many other places)
Animal Crackers
Ritz-type crackers
Saltine Crackers
Most store bought cookies
Almost all candy bars
Some jelly beans
etc.
If you read the labels on your next grocery you'll see how many.
I am for being SAFE - I am for reasonable!
Okay so here are a few more educational links for those who wish to be more educated on this topic.
Peanut Allergy - What You Need To Know
http://www.allergyasthma.on.ca/peanut1.h...
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America: Peanut Allergy
http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub...
Food Allergy Initiative: Peanut Allergy
http://www.foodallergyinitiative.org/sec...
Anaphylaxis
http://www.foodallergyconnection.org/id9...
Here's a link to an educational video "When Food Kills" that may help some people have a better understanding about food allergies and why the parent in this article as well as many others are voicing concerns.
" It's every parent's worst nightmare. One moment their child is perfectly healthy. The next, they've stopped breathing and are turning blue. For many children, the merest hint of nut is all it takes to send them into anaphylactic shock. Food allergies are on the increase and the number of children affected has more than doubled in the past ten years. Yet simple precautions could significantly cut the death rate. This week's documentary, 'When Food Kills' is a wake up call to the rising danger of food allergies."
http://www.booserver.com/projects.php?Pr...
"This is an allergy WERE potential..."
That was meant to read:
This is an allergy WHERE potential..."
man, I despise misspelling on my part.
I am so prone to them....
I understand perfectly the severity of food allergies, particularly that involving peanuts.
As I stated before, a close family member of mine has a severe peanut allergy, and has had reactions simply by grazing his arm against a counter at a convenience store. It is very frightening, and he needs to be aware, and prepared at all times.
He is grown, and has not outgrown his allergy.
Although I appreciate your post and agree with many points, I have to disagree that the school should take appropriate measures to avoid lawsuits.
This is an allergy were potential contact is,unfortunately, quite unavoidable. As I stated before, the elimination of peanut products would virtually have to occur in homes for those with children in attendance at the public school.
If I ate at Longhorns at lunch and dragged a stray peanut shell on my heel into the school, the child with the allergy could come in contact with it and have a fatal reaction.
How would that trigger a lawsuit for the school? How would it be the schools fault? How could the school have controlled and prevented that? How could I have prevented it? Could I be charged with involuntary manslaughter?
What about fatal bee allergies? How would the school ban bees to avoid a lawsuit as well as to ensure the safety of the child? What about a fatal asthma attack triggered by dust in the air vents? These things happen too. Do we truly hold a school accountable for a child's pre-existing condition?
Bean,
I think it is indicative of our litigious society to place emphasis on the taxpayers' legal liability on the peanut issue. Wouldn't it be less selfish of the parent to homeschool the child than to place the burden of a peanut ban on the taxpayers. To replace all traces of peanuts would be costly and tedious.
Sorry to sound callous, but I can't say the risk of one child(a risk that is avoidable, mind you) is worth the disasterous effect that the peanut ban would have on the school system.
I believe education and training (for parents, students, and entire school staff) on peanut allergies will be far more effective than a school ban. The question below is an excerpt info concerning peanut allergies. I've also posted the link in case you want to read it all
Can someone allergic to eating peanuts also have a reaction to touching or smelling them?
A study from Mt. Sinai Medical Center in 2003 specifically examined those questions. Thirty children with severe peanut allergies were exposed to both skin contact and the smell of peanut butter. The study reached the following conclusuions:
-A rash might occur where the skin is touchedby peanut butter but a dangerous reaction will not result unless the peanut butter enters the mouth,nose, or eyes.
-The rash will get better when washed with soap and water and Benadryl is given.
-Just smelling peanut butter will not cause an allergic reaction because there's no peanut protein in an odor.
http://www-tc.pbskids.org/arthur/parents...
Oh, I understand fully severity of some food allergies. We just seem to differ on who we think is responsible for the child's well being.
Ok Classic scenario
My child is eating a peanut granola bar on her way to school (which actually she does). When she arrives at school your child (the one with the peanut allergy) touches my daughter. Your child has a reaction ..who is liable? Me for allowing my child to eat something she likes on her way to school? The school beings this happened on school grounds, even though they had nothing to do with it? Or You for allowing your child to go school knowing he had these severe allergies?
It seems to me a child with allergies so severe that they are fatal and could have a reaction even by touching someone who has eaten a peanut, would be a special needs child. Thus needing the same type of school as any other special needs child..one where the child could be watched more closely.
Perhaps some still don't understand the severity of some food allergies.
Regardless of how well a child may be trained to avoid things they are allergic to, how carefully a parent packs their lunch, or even how careful others are to look out for the child a severe reaction can occur if the child comes in contact with the allergen (usually by accident). These reactions can easily be fatal.
Peanut allergies in particular are very difficult to control due to the wide use of peanuts in food preparation as well as the oil residues they leave behind on anyone coming in contact with them. Even accidental contact with the oil on another's skin can cause reactions.
It is clear that the school system should take appropriate measures to limit the risk to allergic children just as they attempt to do for all other hazards. How they go about doing this is the big question. If they choose to do nothing I am certain the school is putting themselves at a greater risk of lawsuits etc given having students enrolled with this potentially fatal condition.
No I don't think schools are responsible for a child's allergies. If the school system took everything off the menu that every child had allergies to, there would not be anything left to feed the children.
It is a parents job to instruct their child of what they are allowed to eat and what they aren't.
Parents should pack their child's lunch to be sure they are not getting anything they are allergic to..if your child is so allergic to a certain food that they can not even be around that food or be touched by someone who has eaten the food then you should seriously consider home schooling your child or making special arrangements with the school that your child be allowed to eat in the classroom.
Let's think about this folks...
Everywhere you go you will see evidence of warning labels for food allergies - some of them nut allergies. Like many other allergies a severe reaction can result in death. Thus allergies remain a serious health problem. Our school systems are indeed responsible for the health and safety of our children during their time at school. This includes various medical conditions including allergies. Sending a child to a public school is part of the privilege of being a member of a community as well as a benefit of paying taxes etc. Unless the child poses a hazard to other children they have the right to attend the public school regardless of their physical handicaps or medical conditions. While an outright ban on a certain allergen (such as peanut butter etc) may be impractical for many people it would be difficult for a school system to ignore the consequences of doing nothing to control a life threatening danger to anyone in their school. Schools already install fire alarms, spray for pests and insects, ban weapons, regulate visitors, and a whole host of other things to keep our children safe at school. While these dangers are common to all students allergens represent a growing threat to many children as well as adults. If a parent tells a school system about a child with a severe allergy and the school does nothing - whom do you think will be at fault if the child is exposed to the allergen? In this case everyone loses - the school, the parents, and the taxpayers!
Think about it...
I'm highly allergic to shellfish but I don't ask restaurants i eat at to take it off the menu or ask other customers not to eat it. Why do people think that all of society is suppose to accommodate everyones speacial needs. There are alot of bad and dangerous things out in the world and kids like alot of adults need to learn to protect themselves.
Wow! Sounds like someone needs to start planning for their kid to be home schooled. I understand a parent's concern, but this obviously is much more than that. This parent is not only trying to control her child's life but also everyone else's. I would do anything to protect my own child but at the same time I would not infringe on everyone else's rights.
Maybe this concerned parent can get online and find a special school out there for her child that is peanut free. I'm sure there are many in California. They're not afraid to take anything out of their schools, but that's a whole other topic.
I have to agree with most of the people on here---the ones who are saying that why should kids with no allergies conform to the ones who do have them. I truly feel for both the mother and the child. I'm sure it's difficult for a child to understand that he/she cannot eat certain foods that friends are able to eat. One person commented that children can outgrow these types of allergies....people can also grow "into" them as well. I have a food allergy myself--not to peanuts, but to macadamia nuts. I always enjoyed them until about three years ago. I had a severe allergic reaction while at an event at work. I had eaten nothing out of the ordinary but finally the doctors pinpointed it to the macadamia nuts. I spent the night in the hospital until the problem was diagnosed. I knew not to eat them but I accidentally ingested them about a year later in a cookie that was supposed to be a peanuat butter cookie. I landed in the ER again with a breathing treatment, epinephryn (sp?), etc.
I now carry an epipen with me everywhere I go and I try to be proactive and tell my co-workers, friends, whoever, about my food allergy and where my epipen is if it is ever needed. I think this child needs to be taught what he can eat and not eat, wash his hands and maybe his mom can get an allergy bracelet like a previous poster suggested.
It would be impractical, if not impossible, to ban peanuts from school. The school cafeteria and parents would have to scrutize every label on every food to make sure it did not contain peanuts, peanut oil, or even processed on the same machinery as products that contain peanuts. The schools might, but most parents aren't going to do that. You would have to ban kids from bringing any food from home at all.
Even if you did all that, what if a kid ate something with peanuts before he came to school and didn't wash his hands?
when has having an allergy become a disability?
PeanutAllergies.com
Statistics and Facts
This section takes a look at the statistics and facts that revolve around peanut allergy. It gives us an idea on how many people are affected as well as how alarming the allergy can be.
Peanut Allergy is the most prevalent food allergy in the US, where as many as 1.5 million people suffer from the disease (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology).
Peanut Allergy is the most common cause of food related death (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America).
Approximately 100 people in the U.S die every year from an adverse peanut allergy reaction (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network).
Peanut Allergy is responsible for 15,000 emergency room visits every year (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network).
Approximately 0.5% of adults and children have a peanut allergy in the U.S.
Approximately 25% of children grow out of having a peanut allergy
there is also labels for glue bottles, back packs, crayons boxes etc, check it out
I have been on line trying to look up peanut & tree nut allergies.
has any one also considered the allergic braclets.
they show them on line.
It also says that children can grow out of this.
I honestly feel sorry for the woman and her child, but the fact remains that you cannot go through life trying to make everyone change to fit your needs. If the child's peanut allergies are so bad that even touching it can be fatal, then maybe the mother needs to have lunch with her child until he is old enough to know what's safe for him. Even children with severe diabetes can learn at a very young age what they can and cannot eat.
The reason peanut butter is in the schools in the first place is that it is a great source of nutrition. You cannot deprive nutrition from one child just because another child can't tolerate it.
Are the lactose intolerant children to form a protest and we now reomove milk for the lunch menu? Do we stop all children from playing sports or running because the child with severe asthma may have an attack?
I don't want to sound flippant, but things can be carried too far.
I have 3 kids,1 in grade school & one starting school this fall. I understand trying to keep your kids safe but with the cost of everything going up buying peanut butter is the most cost effective thing for us with larger families.My older child has always brought lunch from home & my middle one will too. Lunch prices have gone up people can't afford the ham & turkey sandwiches that were suggested.I also don't think it's fair that my kids with no allergies should sit at another table. These kids need to be at this table & someone should just make sure that all kids are aware of this & that hands are washed. Maybe the schools could have some sort of assembly (not to point out these kids) but to make everyone more aware of the dangers.I do feel for these parents & kids.
and one more thing, the teachers are there to educate our childern, reading, writing......
not to make this one does not come in contact with this or that, a teacher can not watch every thing a child puts in there mouth a good rule to follow is if moma did not send it to school...do not eat it!
and no I am not a teacher defending other teachers!
I am am truly sorry you child has this problem.
Has he been hospitalized for someone touching him with peanutbutter residue on there hands?
again I am not tryin to be mean, I really am not.
but is he is this sensitive...he does not belong in a public school system.
Does your child know to wash his/her hands after eating PB or not to touch my child after eating it? That would help!
I understand peanut allergies can be fatal but so can sugar to children who are diabetic. And if I were just guessing I would say there are many more children who can not have sugar products than there are children who can not have peanut products.
This peanut allergy thing has been coming to a head for quite sometime. Even Airlines no longer give out bags of peanuts you get pretzels instead. Of course they don't go so far as to stating you can't bring your own peanuts on board.
I had a son allergic to trees, grass, wheat, chocolate, milk, peanuts, and a few more thrown in for good luck. He had asthma and had pneumonia several times as a child before diagnosed with these allergies. I packed his lunch, made sure he was prepared for school and let the school be aware. I did not ask that the entire school chop down all the trees and put cement on the grassy areas. It was not necessary for the school to make sure that my child did not sit near someone who ate different food than he was allowed. He lived and is now the father of two. The dr wanted me to remove all my carpets, drapes and animals from the house and give my child a pristine environment. He would not have been able to fight off a head cold if I had followed that advice. We need to make sure that our children are comfortable and clean and eat the right things for their body but we cannot expect the world to stop because our kid has allergies. If this mother cannot let the child come to school and live a normal life than she needs to home school and get some assistance. This is the most ridiculous post I have read in eons. I cannot believe that the world must stop for one child. Good luck with that!!!
I have to agree with the other posters...I sympathize with this mother, but to ask every child in the district to not bring peanut-related or tree nut-related foods to school is not only unfair, but it's impractical. If a district wide census showed that a large percentage of the kids in our schools had this allergy it might be a different story. But obviously this is not the case as this is the only parent to make this request. I understand her concern, but isn't it being a big unreasonable to expect the entire county to change their way of doing just to suit one parent...I mean, this kid can only go to one school at a time, right?
Yes, I have told my child "not to eat peanuts", "do not be around them" etc. When they are 5 they know what peanuts look like but have no clue what is "hidden" in other products. I informed his teachers and everyone I could to make sure that someone does not give him anything with peanuts. Especially when I have taken every precaution and informed them. That is the teachers job to watch out for what he is given, especially at school parties since this is a life threatening allergy. Does your child know to wash his/her hands after eating PB or not to touch my child after eating it? That would help! No, I may not win the battle of removing peanuts from my son's school but I have atleast tried to educate who he is around. I just wish everyone who doesn't know about this allergy would please read about the consequences and seriousness of PB allergic children.
First, let me say that I really do feel sad for the lady and her peanut allergic son. But like most that have responded here, I totally agree with them. This is absolutely crazy to think that the rights of this one child should supercede the rights of the rest of the children at the school. The whole idea seems very similar to a position taken by a single woman many years ago forcing "no prayer" in school. The rights of the one over the rights of the rest is the reason we are in the shape we are today in society.
This is probably the same mother that insisted that the school force all children to eat a school provided lunch for a field trip that her son was going on. She made a big deal about them all eating a peanut free lunch and then she shows up with a sack lunch for her son.
THIS IS CRAZY!
What about those who have allergies to bees? Should we ban outdoor play and watch more and more obese kids waddle up and down the hall?
What about kids allergic to chocolate... no more chocolate milk in the lunch room.
What about childeren of vegan families... now there can't be any meat products in school.
Lactose intolerance causing a flatulant distraction? No more milk now.
You know if we cater to 1 child's needs, everyone else will chime in with their specialties. I say leave the menu's as they are, and let each individual family deal with the special needs.
As for the residues, why do we parents need to buy all those antibacterial wet-wipes for the teachers? Seems like those would clean up the residues.
So I guess before you know it, we will all be eating soy butter sandwiches (gluten-free bread of course)with no jelly (can't have all that sugar either), & washing it down with soy milk drank from a bamboo cup (in an approved color, of course- no stripes please).
We will all wear our approved style of clothing in the approved colors made of the approved fabric, when we go to work at our jobs that were chosen for us based on genetic and aptitude testing.
I could go on, but...
Think I'm joking?
I absolutely agree . . . parents of today are taking less accountability for their own children and expecting everyone else to accommodate them because they are "special". Certain types of chocolate make me break out but my parents did ask the school to change their whole menu for just me . . . my parents taught me to not eat that kind of chocolate and I listened. The woman in this article needs to pack her child's lunch and enforce the knowledge in her child not to eat items that might have peanuts, etc. Yes, there might be a chance he might come in contact with something with peanuts in it but that can happen outside of the school too. What if a child is allergic to milk? Are we going to start pulling that from the school menu too? There is point where people need to draw the line and take responsibility for their own actions and not expect everyone else to cater to their every whim.
Unfortunately it's the attitude of babying children to the extreme in which they expect the same as an adult in the work place and in life. This generation of young adults and teenagers has become lazy, unproductive and expect everything to be handed to them because of the parented they have received because they have been taught to be treated "special" and that they are to be accommodated at every turn. I am glad my father had some sense when raising me and teaching me to actually think and do for myself. I cringe every time I am in Wal-Mart and see how parents are allowing their children to act and talk and do nothing about it. It is such a sad state of affairs.
This is ABSOLUTELY absurd! I'm terribly sorry to all the parents who have children with peanut allergies, because it seems to rob them of the freedom to be children many times. HOWEVER, it is self-centered and ridiculous to think that because your child has an allergy, mine can't have peanut butter at school. What if my child is allergic to bees, should yours have to sit inside during recess so none of them will get stung? If mine is allergic to wheat, should yours not be able to eat bread at school? If my child can't hear, should yours not be able to have a conversation with other kids because it isn't fair?
To say that a healthy child should be secluded because they bring a pb&j sandwich, or cookies, or anything of the sorts is one of the most self-centered things I have ever heard! So, it's not okay to tell your child (the one with the allergy) that they need to sit at a different table, but IS okay to tell mine they will be secluded because they want peanut butter? What if mine doesn't eat turkey or ham or other sandwich meats?
I understand that when you have a child, they are your life. There is nothing harder than watching them struggle, but you find ways to help them learn to live in the world rather than trying to make the world change for them.
what did you tell your child?
if he is old enough to be in school he is old enough to learn he has a condtion that he has to take responsiblity for...can he play a game boy?
then he should no he can not eat peanut butter.
My son is one that is allergic to peanuts. I told his kindergarten teacher, principal, taped a sign in his lunchbox and everyone I possibly could in his school. I walked in early one day for a class party and he was sitting there starting to eat a Smuckers Peanut butter sandwich. I HAD told everyone I could. .
My son would like to know if peas and broccoli could be added to the peanut ban and be replaced with skittles and m & m's. ....
I am the mom of three and I am also a teacher in Bedford County. I understand how serious these allergies can be. School staff must be aware of how to keep these children safe. However, as a mom, I pack my children's lunch every day. Sometimes they have a peanut butter sandwhich or a cookie that may contain nut oils. Peanut butter is a healthy food that most children will eat. I do not feel that my right as a parent to feed my children a healthy food should be denied. I have often wondered where the line is.....When does one child's rights begin and another child's rights ends?
Also, I have seen this particular family in our community. They go to Wal-Mart, ballgames, and other places that are non "peanut regulated." Whats next...no peanut butter at the groccery stores?
This is one of those things where the child is special needs. So you have to treat that child special by limiting his exposure to peanuts. But not at the cost of everyone else's rights. If the child has special needs place him in a peanut free environment, move to a peanut free state, or look proactively for peanut-free environments.
But please, do not come and proclaim another area as Peanut-Free just because your child needs to be peanut free. Peanuts have feelings too, Charlie Brown...
I don't think everybobody needs to be so condemning of a mother trying to protect her child. If you were in her situation you might make the same request. With hundreds of kids at each of the schools, the lunch staff will not be able to police each child's meal. I don't think the school board will be able to grant her wishes, but I don't fault her for bringing the issue to their attention.
The problem is not so much that the child is diving into other kid's lunches, but more that there is a harmful residue left when nut products are used.
I know that the teachers that my kids have had at Cascade are very cautious regarding nut allergies. Notes have been sent home whenever there is a child in the class with allergies so that when items are sent in for snacks or special occasions parents are aware.
Communication does wonders.
question?
how does the school board really make the hard calls.
if we the people have to live with the choices they make why should we have more of a voice or our reps know where we stand.
why do we not have a monthly meeting at the schools with our board memembers that represent us. They could inform us on what is coming up, and get our views, and if you did not go to a meeting then that is your fault for not letting your voice be heard.
how can board memebers truly represent us with out really listening.
think of how much time and breath that could have been saved during the school attire issue.
board memembers would it not be easier to have a monthly or bimonthly meeting at the school you represent and let the people that once trusted you to represent them talk to you or state their opions.
even take a vote to help you make a choice, that is called represting your people.
i vote leave the peanuts alone.
I wouldn't put it past the school board to pass the peanut/tree nut ban....
I too have a close family member with a life threatening peanut allergy. It is a frightening reality they have to face.
However, banning peanut products within the school will not solve the problem. This type of allergy is extreme. For example, if I were to eat a snickers bar at home, before I went to school, and touched a doorknob, a child who has this allergy can touch it, and react. This is truly NOT an exaggeration. So, do we ban peanuts at home?
The office? Convenience stores? Grocery Stores? There is simply no way for the world to conform to this allergy. The one with the allergy needs to conform with the world.
It seems to me this is what happens when we give up one freedom (ie: what our children wear) it snowballs until there is no freedom left.
You guys say the entire group should not be punished because a few children can not eat peanuts seems I have heard this very same agrument from the the Dress Code issue. (An entire group punished because of what some few do)
You were so ready to start giving up your child's freedom that you were ready to let the schools tell you what they can wear...now they will be telling you what you can feed your child as well. What's next?
Peanut allergies are becoming more frequent in children and is effecting more than 1 or 2 children in a school. My son is one that is allergic to peanuts. I told his kindergarten teacher, principal, taped a sign in his lunchbox and everyone I possibly could in his school. I walked in early one day for a class party and he was sitting there starting to eat a Smuckers Peanut butter sandwich. I HAD told everyone I could. I even took my child out of this school and homeschooled him until I could not longer do it for financial reasons. Also, some allergic children can touch where a child has been with peanut butter (tables and light switches)and can immediately go into anaphalactic shock and possibly die. It is really scary to see your child not be able to breathe because of their tongue swelling up in the back of their throat! You do all that you can to help them and wait on the ambulance to arrive! How is wanting peanut butter out of the schools "inconveniencing anyone" or being "self-centered". I do not want my child to possibly die from this! I tell everyone I can and also pack his lunch. We lived in Florida until May and we moved here and yes he did sit at a table designated for "peanut allergic" children. He STILL came in contact with peanuts from other children. I've tried to educate everyone I can on the seriousness of this allergy, what else can I do?
Peanut Allergy is the most prevalent food allergy in the U.S. so I have to ask what Emergency Plan does the Bedford County School System have in place for children with food allergies?
I hope the Bedford County Board of Education will give serious consideration to this ladies request. The schools, teachers, coaches and nurses should be proactive and learn more about peanut allergies because for these children peanut products are " life-threatening ". A peanut allergic child does not have to ingest the peanut product to have a "fatal" reaction. If another child, parent, teacher, etc, etc, has eaten or even merely touched a peanut product and touches the child with peanut allergies - he/she can wind up in the hospital or even worse, die. The Bedford County School System doesn't allow firearms in the schools, so why allow this smoking gun??
hummmm so lets just close down all the schools, educate our own childern, then you will not have to worry about what they are eating, what they are wearing, who they are talking to, and if the teachers are teaching what they really need to learn.
Is my child going to be punished because they bring pb&j to lunch? why should the majority have to be moved. I have one child that is allergic to peanuts and one that is not, I still by peanut butter! she knows she can't have it!
if this child is so sensitive keep him at home.
yes I may sound cold, but no one is going to caterer to him when he is grown.
I have nieces that lost a mother and father before they started school, they are not pampered because of it...because kids do grow up...and they have to learn to deal with things!
Sorry for the double post, but I just thought of the PERFECT solution to all of this. We just need to add vinyl gloves and surgical masks to the new School Standard Attire. That way, no germs or oils or any harmful substances can get on hands, and no one can cough on anyone else and cause sickness.
Whad'yall think?
My goodness... home schooling is looking better more and more every day. Someone thinks they can tell ME what I can and can't feed MY OWN child?
That mom needs to teach her own kids how to be responsible for themselves.... proper and frequent handwashing, don't share classmate's meals, keep your hands to yourself. How hard is that to understand???? But no, she wants the rest of the world to conform to her lifestyle.
Did anyone see where different Major League Baseball parks will stop serving peanuts? All because a few people have the allergy. Well, let's see.. I'm allergic to pickles. Really, I am... so should I require the rest of the world to go pickle-free? Next time I see pickles on someone else's food at McDonald's or BK, I just might sue! Not really, just getting my point across.
how about tell your waterhead kid not to eat peanuts??DUH-HUH!!
Now I've heard everything. So this one person is going to ask that I don't put a PB&J in my son's lunchbox, because her some may touch it?!!!
Her son needs to learn to keep his hands to himself.
Menus cannot be changed for a few kids. What food would be next. If you eliminate everything that a single child is allergic to then there would be nothing left to eat. This is NUTS.
I just think this asking the whole menu and food selection be changed for one or two kids is beyond belief. Parents are really over the top in their requests for their 'special needs' kids. No degree of personal responsibility is taken by this people and would rather inconvenience the rest the population.
I understand the concern regarding your child's health however will you request the college not have peanut butter? Then when your son starts working will you also request that the employer remove all peanut butter?
But to suggest that people who want to eat peanut butter get a special table? I have a hard time understanding why the people without the allergy have to have a special table shouldnt that table be designed to be peanut butter FREE? "He will not be segregated from everyone else because of his food allergies." - but everyone else who wants peanut butter will be segregated??? is that fair to them?
I wish her the best but some of the request I personally feel are very self centered.
I have a child with peanut allergy. And not to long ago she had a cookie that a parent brought to preschool that had peanuts in it that the school did not know about and had to spend the night in the hospital. Even though every teacher knew about the allergy this still happened. This is one of the most serious allergies out there, I would rather be safe than sorry. Children can eat all the peanuts, peanut butter they want when they get home. I don't beleive they will miss it all that much at school!!!! What happened to my child was a total accident and the preschool does not allow peanuts to be brought in and no longer allows food to be brought in without a label on it.
Maybe the parent should consider packing this child's lunch so she KNOWS that there is no nut residue on the food. But no, that would be too easy.
I do not recall what news program I saw this on..but it was about the same issue, but the Parent was actually the proactive one, making sure that all knew about her son's allergies, having emergency shots and kits available on hand at all points within the school and etc.
I think there are ways around one child's allergies, instead of making all the children suffer from the goodness that peanut butter brings!
If we eliminate peanuts and food processed on machines used to process peanut products, then what will our kids eat? Each year, our kids have been served less and less portions and less variety. What will they be served instead? Fruit is not the answer to everything and when they do get it, it isn't a large enough portion. They are not getting what they pay for as it is.