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classroom allergies and birthday celebrations

rboisvertrboisvert member
in Food Allergy
Hi everyone I'm a preschool special ed teacher and this year I have kids with SIX different allergies.  Just feeding these kids has been an almost second job between me and the kitchen staff (we are a CACFP participating agency).  I have dairy, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts and PORK (which is actually one of the hardest as it includes anything with gelatin).  I have a bunch of birthdays coming up in the next few months and I have to make the call if I need to say no treats or put together a list of treat ideas.  I'm thinking no treats but i know that it's going to be hard to enforce.  Anyone want to take a stab at some treat ideas that can be store bought so I have an ingredient list/ allergy info to give parents.  If you think I'm crazy and should just call the whole thing off feel free to tell me.  I'm pretty schooled in nut and gluten allergies but to be honest it's the dairy and pork that's killing me.  The pork is an actual allergy not a religious dietary restriction.  Thanks ladies.
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Re: classroom allergies and birthday celebrations

  • SallyJean95SallyJean95 member

    Coming from an allergy mom, why do treats always have to be edible??? Why not a toy? A coloring book and crayons? sticker book? finger puppets? little things of playdough? a special treat of taking off their socks and shoes and finger painting with their toes?  Decorate/paint cheap tshirts?

    If you were my kid's preschool teacher and did away with edible treats I would kiss you.

    Just my 2 cents.

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  • Jen748Jen748 member
    imageSallyJean95:

    Coming from an allergy mom, why do treats always have to be edible??? Why not a toy? A coloring book and crayons? sticker book? finger puppets? little things of playdough? a special treat of taking off their socks and shoes and finger painting with their toes?  Decorate/paint cheap tshirts?

    If you were my kid's preschool teacher and did away with edible treats I would kiss you.

    Just my 2 cents.

    YES!

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  • rboisvertrboisvert member
    It's a very ingrained tradition in our agency that parents send food but I'm all for doing away with it.  Thanks for your input.  We celebrate by singing to the birthday child and do birthday crowns.  The more I think about it the more I'm thinking about having parents send their child's favorite book to read at circle.  Oh and Swedish fish are manufactured in a plant that handles nuts.  BTDT.  Thanks again ladies.
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  • SallyJean95SallyJean95 member

    My preschool is ingrained with the treats too.  It's very stressful for me and there have already been times where my kid is in the office crying eating his safe snack when they all get home made cupcakes.  It's just our life now and we'll deal with it.  I just don't get sending sugar treats to make the kids hyper, allergy or not.  I know it isn't going to change anytime soon. 

    But I thank/ commend you for really trying to make it a safe environment for everyone. 


     

     

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  • SallyJean95SallyJean95 member

    oh, I meant to add, if eliminating treats or even finding a list of safe ones proves to be too difficult, just giving advance warning to the parents of the birthday days would be wonderful and they will be more than happy to send a safe snack for their own specific allergies. 

    I know it's a lot easier when I know ahead of time and can send something equally yummy that is safe for just my kid. 

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  • Dermy167Dermy167 member
    Popsicles would work.
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  • rboisvertrboisvert member
    Thanks Dermy unfortunately many of my students come  on school buses and have a lengthy ride (30+ min).  I chose to pull the plug on treats altogether.  I have such a great group of kids who are so protective of each other and what who can eat and I just decided that we were going to start a new tradition.  It's going to be much easier in the long run for everyone including parents too.  Thanks for all of your input it's incredibly stressful even serving regular meals.  Our Halloween celebration at school was a disaster, many of the admin offices thought our request for no candy ( we suggested stickers, small bubble containers etc) was a JOKE and then got mad when I refused to bring my class to their offices.  I refuse to put my kids in that position.  I can't imagine the stress of sending your child off to school hoping that their teachers and school is  properly trained and that your student is able to stay safe in the community.  
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  • ChristineH79ChristineH79
    From another allergy mom - I am so happy to see you decided to do away with treats, such a stress reliever for the parents I'm sure :)
    Mommy to two boys, age 5 and 3 and one on the way! Pregnancy Ticker
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