Peanut Allergy and Public School

Delays or no delays, my kid would be staying home. If you read and study enough, you'll be able to help him. It just sounds like a recipe for disaster. I haven't been through this. When I had a little girl in the daycare with the epi pen I wanted it with me at all times. The parents forgot it a few times and that was frustrating and scary.

If my child had an allergy of that severity it would be extremely hard for me to send him/her to traditional school, no matter what the school promised me. There is no way they can monitor what every child has in his bag, lunch box, or even eating in the car on the way to school. That's just me.

Would it help to talk with the principal and then go all the way to the school board if necessary? I might consider hiring a lawyer or school advocate to help me navigate the administration.

So sorry you're going through this . . .

My friend's son is severely allergic too. In Elementary school he had to wear the epi pen in a fanny pack just in case. My friend also gave a presentation to the teachers explaining the allergy etc.

if he has a severe allergy - home school him. I realize he has delays - however, you can get home tutors for that as well...I believe the state would pay for it as well if his allergies are that bad.

As to your rights? I don't know. Each school district is different.

Our school has a "peanut free" table - but really - if it's that severe - keep him home...at one point our school tried to require that no child could bring PB&Js with them to school - there was TOTAL outrage from parents whose kids don't have allergies....not fair to those kids who love PB&Js for lunch...so the compromise was the "peanut free" table...

I homeschool my eldest (six), but my youngest (15 months) has celiac disease and I kind've have the same reservation you do...therefor, I am very happy I'll be homeschooling. When it's a matter of life and death (as it may be for your child) I think you might need to look at other options...

I hear you that homeschooling may not be an option...but maybe you aren't really considering all your options with it. Does your state have the K12 program? Check into it. It's an online school, and you do it from home, and they'll work with you for special curriculum needs. Also, they usually host a TON of social events/outings, plus there are other ways to be social...Sunday School, playgrounds, sports, etc.

I don't have a solution, otherwise...I'd be terrified to send my child to school in your situation. Sorry I don't have any advice on that option!

According to Section 504, which is a federal civil rights law, the public schools have to provide an allergen free learning environment for your child because anaphylaxis limits the "life function" of breathing. You need to request a Section 504 plan. Before we requested a 504 plan at our school, they didn't have an allergy policy, and they were giving me the run around about developing one. Right after we requested a 504 evaluation, they suddenly rushed to develop one. Section 504 is much, much better than an IHP--it's backed by a federal civil rights law, and they don't want to be found to be discriminating. Plus, if they're not in compliance with section 504, they risk losing their federal funding.

They do have to make accommodations, and not just "reasonable" accommodations, either. It's whatever your child needs to have equal access to educational services. They can keep the epi pen in the classroom, they can keep the classroom peanut free (but not the cafeteria), they can keep unsafe birthday treats out of the classroom....

The whole point of Section 504 is to provide a FAPE in the LRE--that is, a free and accessible public education in the least restrictive environment.

Feel free to email me and I can walk you through the whole process. There are a lot of details, and I'd be happy to share.

Stop calling the school - GO to the school. Go to the district office. A lot of schools have a 'peanut policy'. His allergy should be stated on his registration papers. Get a letter from your doctor as well.
Too many people underestimate this type of allergy, which is so selfish in my opinion. If your child will only eat PB&J, ya need to introduce more foods - I'd much rather my daughter (who will eat anything - no allergies but don't let a bug bite get her - ugh.) come home with a rumbling belly than risk an allergic reaction to a schoolmate! I'm not saying quarantine the entire school, but maybe he can have an eariler/later lunch. But the thought of other kids and parents that don't get it...good luck!!

Your child's allergy is covered under the disability act. If they will not protect him in some way, they are breaking the law. They HAVE to do something to protect him, they don't even have the choice not to. Talk with the principle. He should definitely be allowed to carry his epipen. In my opinion, it's no different then children who carry their insulin in packs around their waist. Again, they LEGALLY HAVE to work with you.

Maybe schools should start having separate classrooms for allergy kids. Oh sure, it's no big deal to skip the PB&J, but what are we going to do when the kids with other allergies demand we stop sending those things too?

I would not waste my time with the teacher or the school administrators. You have already voiced your concerns and they have poo-pooed you. I would go straight to the Superintendent of Schools and the school board. I would also contact your local school nurse and the local health department. Hopefully someone from the health department or the school nurse can get through their thick skulls that an epi pen is as necessary for your son as a pencil in the classroom. I have heard that because of of the zero tolerance for drugs kids with severe asthma can not keep their inhaler in the classroom either. And girls can not keep Midol in their purses. This policy is so stupid. Fight for your child if you don't neither will anyone else.

I have two friends friend whose children were like yours. One family has reduced the child's allergy numbers to zero. They aren't feeding her peanuts though, but at least she is not going to die if she is exposed. The dad never even sat with anyone on a plane who was eating peanuts, lest he have traces on his clothing. The other family's child had 60 food allergies (peanuts, soy, egg, pineapple, dairy, deli meat, numerous fruits & vegetables, you name it). Also a learning disability. All have been eliminated and reversed. So I know what you are going through. But there is hope for you while you work with the school system. Remember that, 20 years ago, kids did not have these issues at all. So it's not an inherent thing but more based on toxins and nutrient deprivation. Meantime I would work with the superintendent and ask your pedi what his/her experience has been. You cannot be the first person in this school system who has dealt with this. Be a strong advocate and see if there is a support group for other parents.

Keep in mind that even if peanut butter is banned from school or even if they separate kids at lunch time, the school has no control over what happens before school. A kid could be eating peanut butter on their toast in the car before school and get to school and hug your kid or touch him in some way. Kindergartners like to touch and hug and hold hands.
As far as the epi pen being locked in the nurses office, find out if the teachers carry walkie talkies. At my kids school there is a walkie talkie for each grade and all the extra teachers and staff. The nurse, all counselors, play ground staff, lunch staff, janitors and many others. As long as your sons school isn't super big it will take no time to get the pen to your son.
That probably didn't help much but just something else to think of.

Amen to what Lee P. said!

Best of luck to you and your child, S.! I wish I had some fabulous, life changing advice, but I don't, so I am just sending you support!

LOL I was about to say you will probably be brining up another HOT topic. I remember last time people were getting nasty!
But I thinks that there should be at least a table or his class room, but I kind of agree with Cheryl, you might want to homeschool. . . or find a charter school that is awesome and will help you out if your school isn't cool.

In the school my kids go to the classrooms are peanut/tree nut free. There are signs on the door to remind people. Parents are also informed that there are children in the class that have nut allergies and to not send in snacks or treats containing nuts. In the lunchroom there is a table designated for kids who have nut allergies. They sit there and can invite a friend to sit with them who does not have a lunch containing nut products. They also have a portable washing station in the lunchroom and all kids are required to wash their hands before leaving the cafeteria.

I don't have kids with nut allergies, but understand how serious these allergies can be. I don't mind making sure the snacks and treats I send in to school are safe for everyone.

You may need to have your doctor write something up for them about the severity of his issue. He has a right as an American citizen to be educated, and you should push for it. The school also needs to be aware of peanut products, things in science experiments or whatever that may have "hidden" peanut products. It's not out of line to make sure he has a safe place to eat and learn, and that the kids wash their hands if they've come into contact with peanut products. If your son's school is school balks, you'll have to be his advocate.

I am sorry your son has the allergy that bad. My daughter had it to the point her excema would break out, but that was it. So I do feel for you With that being said, the school will most likely not be allowed to legally ban all peanut products, if it is a public school. In fact, our local schools offer PB&J or a cheese sandwich to kids who have no money in their account after going so far negative. We do have a peanut free table in the cafeteria, but that is it, to my knowledge. The nurses office is near the cafeteria and she is well versed in all allergies. I would think if his allergies are that bad, you might need to homeschool him to protect him. Best of luck to you.

I have a son with a peanut allergy too, and it is a total hassle. Our schools are very good with him, with providing peanut free tables at lunch and all, but he is not as bad as your son sounds. I have a comment that you might not have thought of, I have friends who actually got jobs as a paraeducator in their kid's school, to keep an eye out for them. I know that may be a little extreme but sounds to me like mom might have a better eye than the schools. Our rules about the epi pen are same as yours, in the nurses office. Good luck to you.

Most of the schools have a no peanut policy in place. I'd take doc orders to the school and make yourself present and in their face as to how concerned you are.... so they "get it". Do it nicely of course, ya dont want to start out as a militant. I'd be sure to talk to his teacher too as soon as you are aware of who he/she is. They may have never had a "severely" allergic child before now, so it would be good for you to "school" them.

Our school deals with this by having peanut free classrooms, and the teachers have epi pens and carry them with them at all times in case of cross contamination. (When I volunteer, I am shown where the pen is and how to use it.) We also have separate tables in the cafeteria for the children with food allergies. I think it's awful your child's teacher won't have the epi pen in her classroom or on her at all times. The walk to take a child to the nurse could be too long or difficult for a child under an reaction. Sounds kinda like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Try taking your concern to the school superintendent. His allergies should not prevent him from attending public school in a safe, and supportive environment. Sounds like a bit of discrimination if you ask me.

I'm a teacher and this falls under a 504 plan (OHI - Other Health Impaired). Meet with the school, provide medical documentation, and get the plan in place asap. In cases like this, they will implement before the plan is even done in our district. You should also request a MFE - multifactored evaluation, for his cognitive delay - this typically goes into effect for the following school year, unfortunately, so ask for it right away!

They will have to send letters home to parents and it should again be reinforced by the teacher and at open house with regard to peanut butter, peants, snacks made in factory where there are peanuts. And as more than one grade will be eating in the cafeteria, it will have to become a peanut-free school for his safety.That must be stressed. I would also point out that all teachers include a statement in their lesson plan for substitutes and all substitutes be sent a letter from Human Resources so that they do not bring any peanut products into the building. The entire staff must be informed and I've often seen that this information is not always provided to the entire staff (such as specialists) and needs to be. Either have him wear an epi pen or provide one to the teacher, office, and the nurse (depending on size of student body, the nurse may not be there full-time). In our building, teacher doors are locked during the lunch period.

I can't imagine what you go through each time you let your child venture into the world. The truth is like others have said. You have no control about what others do. If your child is that allergic to peanuts and you tried to control what my child was doing I would be annoyed but I would understand. I think you have valid concerns but again, if my child wanted peanut butter on his pancakes at breakfast I am not going to deny him. You need to find out what your other options are. There will be lots and lots of kids around your child. In the hall, in the cafeteria, everywhere there is potential for someone to brush up against him. I think his life is more than that. I think if he is that allergic he needs some other option for education.

I have a friend who's son is severely allergic to peanuts as well. Can't even be in the same room as them. Here's the problem with what you were talking about.....I think you would have to make the whole school peanut free, wouldn't you? I mean, my girlfriend tried to do that and the school really wouldn't do all the things that she needed done so she had to take him out or else he could have died.
It's very scary!! I don't know what to tell you except that your son has every right to have an education. Kids not being able to bring PB&J to school should not take precedence over your son's schooling. Fight hard mama, because I have a feeling that if your son is so severely allergic you may have a lot of issues with the school.
L.
(Oh yeah, if your son is taking the bus you need to talk with them too. My friend's son hopped off the bus with a SNICKER'S in his pocket and said it was from the bus driver. Thankfully he asked his mother first or that little boy would have been straight to the hospital)

our school district is not nut free and won't be anytime soon based on the recent decision.

there are steps you can take to make him safer. I would submit a 504 plan for him and get him an epi pen belt. establish or ask if there is already an allergy/nut free table in the lunch room. also, approach his teacher nicely and ask how you can work with her to make sure he's safe (making sure kids wipe/wash hands when they come in the morning and after lunch). also, look up on the FAAN website for local support groups. they will be your best resource for your school district and current policies.

You do know that you can homeschool and still be provided with services from the school right?

As or your allergy issue you need a 504 (I believe) my oldest has one for his asthma. The only problem we had was inhalers are not allowed on the bus neither are epi pens so I drive my son.

My only problem is it seems peanuts are the only things that are ever banned. My nephew has a life threatening reaction to wheat (not to be confused with celiacs) and you won't see schools or classrooms banning wheat to accommodate a child that goes into anaphylactic shock if you touch him after eating a sandwich. If you are going to accommodate one life threatening food allergy you need to accommodate them all.....sorry I'll end my little vent now.

Good luck! Fight for your son!

Our school, located in Orange Co, CA is a peanut butter-free school. No peanut butter, peanuts, cookies with peanut butter, and no food sharing is allowed. However, be aware that in many schools of this sort or when changing to one is being considered it can be viewed as an economic handicap to many of the students, and provide a misleading sense of security. In some schools the majority of parents actually prefer the allergic students to be homeschooled, rather than their children be inconvenienced.

As far as the epi pen being kept in the nurse's office, it needs to be where the teacher has immediate access to it, in the classroom, this is not a joke. I would get a letter from your doctor stating the seriousness of your son's allergy, what can happen and how fast, with a recommendation that an epi pen be kept at least in the classroom, and carried on field trips, etc., along with what should follow, i.e., calling 9-1-1, taking the child to the hospital, etc.

Talk to the principal and show him/her the letter (the original to be kept on file in the office, you keep a copy) and if you get no action go to the superintendent of the school district. This is one of those things you have every right to make as much (polite) noise as possible to get the desired action, and hopefully educate some people along the way. Perhaps it will open the door for the students themselves to learn of the problem and how to deal with it.

Most schools now have some type of peanut policy. I would call the school and set up a meeting with the principal and school nurse. Bring a letter from your child's dr. explaining the severity of the allergy. Ask if the school has a policy in place, and what will their plan be to protect your child. You do probably need a 504 plan to make sure he is accomodated. Good luck. Your child has a right to education just like everyone else's.

I don't think you should have to homeschool him just because of an allergy and think it's kind of ridiculous that others have suggested that as your best option. I think you can make things work to send him to school.

First, go to the school and meet with the principal and his teacher in person. Explain the severity; I'm sure they have heard it before and understand how serious it is. Ask for the entire grade to be peanut free and suggest alternatives (almond butter, sunbutter, etc).

Insist that the epi pen remain in the classroom and/or cafeteria, or that they allow your son to keep it in his backpack. Have a doctor write a note explaining that the time it takes to run to the nurses office is too long and he could die before they make it back.

My son has allergies; none life threatening, but fairly severe all the same. I'm planning to do a 504 plan before he goes to kindergarten in 2012.

I work at the elementary school in the resource department with children with all sorts of learning delays. There is one student that is basically home-schooled but he comes into the school for 3 hours a day and works with the occupational therapist, speech therapist and the main resource teacher. As far as I know there is only one other child who is in the classroom with him. Maybe that would be an option for your son?

I know here in San Diego, all classrooms are peanut free. Lunchtime, they designate peanut-free tables for those with the allergy... but I am understanding your concern for the cross contamination on the playground. Here, after the kids eat, they all run to the playground.. not washing up. My daughter is also highly allergic and breaks out in hives if someone who ate peanut products then touches a toy and then she touches that toy. We are not at the kinder stage yet, but also curious about others responses to this. Imagine letting your non-allergic kid play around anthrax... it's the same thing for peanuts with our kids.

I'm wondering if you might want to provide an epi pen for the lunch staff, as well. (just adding on to other posts)

All daycares and schools i have sent my children to or even considered, are peanut-free. Parents are asked not to send peanut products for childrens' food, and i respect that request. I assume others respect it to. I think anaphylaxis is taken very seriously in most schools. Other products i have seen warnings at school for include latex and egg. There will be other children who have serious allergies at the school as it is becoming more prevalent. I think you need to make an appointment to meet with the principal, teacher and nurse to work out a care and emergency plan. You need to ensure this and suggest it. Remember you are your child's advocate and will have to force the issue. Good luck.

It sounds like the school needs to be educated on the epi pen. If something happens at recess, he doesn't have 5 minutes for someone to run to the nurses office to get it. Honestly, children I know with this have the epi pen on them at all times, even if he wears a fanny pack with it on him.

I don't know that you can request the room to be peanut free, even if you did the school does not have to abide, but you can request that the teacher take extra precautions of hand washing after meals and to make sure he is at least eating in a portion of the room or table that is peanut free, and that his life saving medication is on him at all times.

There are parents fighting back to have children kicked out of schools and homeschooled so that their child can have their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

When he's older, he will be able to see things better and be more alert, but at such a young age it's his teacher who has to watch out for him. So, you choice is to trust that, or home school for now. There are plenty of resources like some others suggested.

It sounds like you need to meet with the nurse and principal at least and maybe check out what services are available. Are his delays enough for special education services? Also, a family friend was a teacher for children who are homebound--the teacher worked for the public school system and visited children at their homes to teach them. You might need to push with the school for what your child needs. Maybe a letter from the doctor would help?

I can see both sides--I have a kid of my own who lives on peanut butter (as I did as a kid). But I also have at least 1 friend who has a kid with a serious peanut allergy (maybe not as serious as your child, it's hard to tell). I know this child goes to public school and has an epipen but I don't know the details of the arrangement (out of school he has the epipen with him at all times).

Have you tried to find any peanut or food allergy support groups? You might get some good ideas from other parents who have dealt with this issue.

I can see why they wouldn't allow the teacher to have the epi pen on her. The school has to cover themselves in the lawsuit happy society that we have created. What if she administered the epi pen and then something went wrong. It could be easily argued that someone who was not qualified did a "medical procedure".

I do think it's worthwhile for the teacher and those who are going to work with him to know what to look for if a reaction is happening and what EXACT steps to take. I have to say I don't know the signs of an allergic reaction. I would have to be educated if I had a student who was at risk for this. When my son went to school (he has a G-button, which is a tummy feeding tube) I gave everyone a paper that had step by step what to do if the tube came out. For me, I feel a bit more comforted knowing that there is a nurse handy if that happened. Everyone was more than willing to accept their copy and read what to do if this emergency occurred.

I don't know anything about your rights as far as a peanut/nut free classroom, but I don't think it's out of line to want kiddos to wash up afterwards. I've always been so grateful that my son doesn't have allergies to worry about. No more advice on the matter, but I want to wish you a HUGE good luck. I hope that you and the school can come to an understanding where his safety is protected and everyone can do it. :-)

In our school if one child in a grade has a peanut allergy then the whole grade is not allowed to have it. There are peanut free tables in the cafeteria for children to sit at and anything with any type of nut is banned.

I know I always get a note from school every year about my son having someone in his class having a peanut allergy. The only thing they ask is to not send a snack with peanuts in it (because they eat the snack in the classroom). I also think that the teacher had an epi-pen in the class one year. We live in AR so that may make a difference in this case, I am not sure. I hope things work out for you.

I know that Broken Arrow schools do not allow children to bring peanut butter products from home. My babysitter's son had his lunch taken away because it was a PB&J. They gave him a cheese sandwich instead.

I can see why they want to keep the epi pen in the nurse's office since nurses actually have medical training. However, if your son is so allergic that those minutes matter, I would get a doctor's note explaining the situation and that the epi pen needs to be in the same room as your son. Good luck!

Before you get too worried, wait and hear what the school has to say. We have not banned peanut butter at our school but we do have our peanut butter lunch kids sit far away from peanut allergies and then they have to wash their hands immediately once lunch is over. We also have to keep epi pens in the nurse's office...that is actually a safety mechanism. If they are in the teacher's room, and she is out of the room and the room is locked, nobody can get to it. We have had some severe allergies go through our school and I don't think we have ever had any trouble with reactions. (I should add our cafeteria doesn't serve anything peanut butter anymore.)

From an ADA standpoint (Federal Law) they have to be willing to make REASONABLE accommodations. I don't know what State or local or district guidelines may apply in your area but you should be able to find out from the school or the district directly...and move of the chain of command if/when necessary.

Best of luck.

I don't have experience with life threatening allergies other than one of my son's teammates has a peannut allergy too. The dugout posed a difficult situation when other teams would allow peanuts in there with their team so we had to wash it down before we could let our kids in the dugout. Then, we had puddles making our kids muddy (I know it was necessary but the other teams could have helped by not allowing peanuts in the dugout).

I see that you are from Tulsa so I thought it might be nice to actually get a response from someone close to you, my daughter attends Jenks. Not having a child with a peanut allergy myself, I think that you will find that the public school system in our area will be responsive to your requests. I have a friend that works for Tulsa Public and when I would say something about letting my daughter take her lunch to school she always followed that up with "jelly sandwich only, no peanut butter," seems like that may have been their motto or something for just this situation. I'm sure knowing that your son has an allergy the school will not want to put him at risk but like others have said before, it's other people's actions that the school can't be accountable for. I'm not really sure how the school staff can inspect every child's lunch/snacks but educating his classmates will probably go a long way. I'm looking forward to hearing what happens with this so please let us know!