FACT

Be careful not to allow your child to participate in bird seed projects at school. Bird seed may contain traces of peanuts.

20 Tips For Parents

This list will constantly grow, but here are some suggestions to make your child's school experience safer. Please check the download page for pre-made materials.

  1. Arrange a meeting with your school principal, nurse, classroom teacher, and specialist teachers over the summer to educate them on the severity of your child's nut allergy.
  2. Find out the school districts policy on peanut allergies.
  3. Find out if the lunchroom policy creates a safe environment for your child.
  4. Supply the teacher with a list of 'safe' snacks to bring into the room.
  5. Supply the teacher with extra 'safe' snacks for children who mistakenly bring in dangerous food.
  6. Supply the teacher with disinfectant wipes to clean the tables daily in the classroom after snack.
  7. Supply the teacher with hand soap for the children to wash their hands before / after snack and lunch.
  8. Supply the school with signs that say "Peanut Free Classroom."
  9. Prepare a speech to discuss the allergy at back to school night during the first month of school.
  10. Offer to pay for your child's teacher to get CPR and Epipen trained over the summer in case the school district will not pay for it. Many places will do it free for the teacher if they know the reason why they are attending a CPR class.
  11. Create an action plan with the school's principal for emergencies that may arise.
  12. Volunteer to attend the first faculty meeting with the staff to discuss the needs of your child.
  13. Supply the school with movies and books pertaining to nut allergies.
  14. Supply the teacher with workshop material in the area pertaining to the allergy.
  15. Ask your child's allergist to talk for a few minutes with your child's teacher to explain the severity of the allergy.
  16. Volunteer to go on school trips or organize class parties to ensure a safe environment.
  17. Provide the school with your emergency phone numbers.
  18. Talk with your bus driver about an action plan pertaining to the allergy.
  19. Keep an open line of communication with your child's teacher.
  20. Educate your child on what your goals are at the school.

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