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school-aged kids and epi-pens

Court0026Court0026 member
in Food Allergy
Any moms of school-aged kids with food allergies on here?  Our school set-up is really pitiful for kids with FAs and I am wondering how others handled starting kindergarten?  I have a meeting with the principal and someone from the DO on Wed
O 10.08 & MJ 6.10
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Re: school-aged kids and epi-pens

  • funchickenfunchicken member

    My DD is starting kindy next year, and I'm trying to figure things out, too.  She's allergic to peanuts/tree nuts.  Overall, I think her school handles it well.  We just have half-day kindy, so they don't eat a snack at school which is a relief.  The only thing I'm concerned about is the bus.  DD really really wants to ride the bus, and it's a very short ride (6 mins), but she would be without her epi-pens for the bus ride.  Our allergist thinks the risk of a problem is low, but I'm going to talk to the school to find out if kids are allowed to eat on the bus.

     

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  • EmR22EmR22 member

    My DD started 4k this past year and is allergic to peanuts/tree nuts. We filled out extra forms for school and provided not only the epi-pen but Benadryl for them. The most important part for me was talking to her teacher. Her teacher and I have had constant and open communication about policy and foods in her room. Her class is half day but they have a snack. So we talked about obviously what she can't eat but also about hand washing routines for the class, if a snack is processed with nuts and she can't have it can she still sit at a table with kids who do. We talked about alerting other parents in the class. The nice thing is that the teacher would call ANY time she had a question. We also send "approved" extra snacks with her in case a parent send in something homemade. Next year when she is full day I know their lunch room actually has kids with nut in their lunches sit at a specific table all together. And again they emphasize hand washing numerous times in the day. 

     I hope meeting with the school with help. In my case I tried to think of scenarios and then asked how they handled. Like should all kids wash hands right away in the morning because their breakfast could have been an allergen? How do they handle snack/lunch? Where is the epi-pen stored if it's needed? Is staff trained on symptoms and procedure?

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  • LSU628LSU628 member
    When DD started at the Montessori preschool at 2 I provided her snack and sent a 1/2 gallon of almond milk so she could have milk and snack with her peers. When we first started everyone had to bring lunch so it wasn't that big of a deal and they sat her at a table with another student with FAs. They kept her epi pen in the front office and they had a box that a teacher would come pick up with all of the epi pens before they went out on the playground. I also sent extra safe snacks so when other parents sent in treats she could have something safe. The teacher also had my cell # and would call or text if she had questions about what she could or could not eat. You can also request a health plan or a 504 plan as an additional reminder for all of the staff at your LOs school. Do you have a medical alert bracelet, necklace, etc in case there is an emergency and a sub or someone who doesn't know your LO is the adult in charge?
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  • Court0026Court0026 member
    We were so spoiled with his preschool that was totally nut and peanut-free for the last 2 years.  Numerous teachers were trained to give medication and all teachers had attended a brief epi-pen training.  I am nervous about this meeting.  The school basically does nothing to limit what comes into the classroom, they don't like to do nut-free tables for lunch, only the nurse can store and administer epis, etc.  I know some local schools have MUCH better policies.  I have talked to them and they said that a doctor's note basically is the end all, be all.  Also requesting a 504.  Trying not to stress.  I am a special ed teacher (on leave), so I am aware of some things they may try to get away wtih that are actually discrimination.  I guess I want the epi-pen with him in the classroom and if they won't do that, then they need to limit some things/put some things in place to make the classroom safer.  
    O 10.08 & MJ 6.10
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  • macchiattomacchiatto member
    DS has been in preschool with his epipen (the parents take turns bringing snack). He'll be at a new pre-K next year and I think he'll be OK, but it does make me nervous going into a new school if their policies and procedures don't seem adequate for keeping kids with serious FAs safe.
    fraternal twin boys born january 2009
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