New clothes? Check. New backpack? Check. School Supplies? Check. When your child has a food allergy, preparing her for the first day of school doesn’t quite end with this list. Safe@School Partners offers some suggestions for you to keep your child safe, in classrooms and cafeterias where “ants on a log” can be a potentially dangerous snack.
- Get to know other parents of children with food allergies; it’s always good to have support!
- Provide your child’s school with a list of his/her medications, and expiration dates.
- Encourage the school to mail a letter to all parents of children in your son’s or daughter’s class, informing them that a food-allergic student is in their child’s class. Perhaps make rules for nut-free or store-bought birthday treats only, etc.
Most importantly, with your doctor’s guidance, prepare an emergency action and care plan for your child. Schedule a meeting with the school nurse and your child’s teacher to introduce your child and review his/her needs and care plan. This care plan should “include all of the physician-recommended precautions and treatment recommendations. The school nurse [will identify] the responsibilities, training and services to implement the recommendations to keep your child safe during all activities throughout the school day.” For an example of items to include in a school care plan, visit www.kidswithfoodallergies.com.
By taking the necessary precautions, parents of children with food allergies will be more at ease when sending their little ones off on the yellow bus. Happy first day of school from the Free From Market!
Tags: emergency action plans, food allergies, kids with food allergies, safe@school partners, school with food allergies
