I attended the school orientation last night.  The director explained to the
whole audience that the school had a student with SEVERE peanut allergies and
please be aware that some child on your class may have an allergy.  She went
on to say that they had a Pediatric Allergist come and talk to all the
teachers to explain allergies and the effects.  Boy, is my job easier now.  I
don't feel so alone.

When I got to my daughters classroom and read the welcome letter it stated
that two children in the class of ten had milk allergies.  I meet the other
mom and we were both so relieved.  The other parents asked what kinds of
snacks would be good and what would be bad.  Her son is also allergic to corn
syrup so it makes juice boxes hard.  (At this private church based preschool
the parents are required to provide a snack and juice one day a month for all
the children in the class.)  I quickly thought of all the great suggestions I
had just read and passed them along.  I told her to provide juice boxes that
were "safe" and a snack that was nonperishable for "emergency days" when the
other snack wouldn't do.

After all that great exchange from the parents my daughter changed to another
room and teacher.  Upon explaining to the new teacher the situation, she would
call me, everyday, and ask if the snack was OK.  Can you believe a teacher
with 12-four year olds would offer to call everyday with the snack menu?
Since we bring snacks in on the first of the month I suggested that I look
over the snacks and say which ones she shouldn't have and provide a back-up
for that snack.

I printing out the post about birthday parties and books instead of food and
passing it along.  We only have 12 kids per room but between all the holiday
parties and birthday parties it seems there is something every week.

Last year for the end of the school party I caught wind of the menu that the
Party planning Moms had listed.  Pizza and Mac and Cheese and Cake.  Even if
you were not allergic, that menu would send any kid bouncing home!

I have fewer worries this year with my daughter and the school experience.
Just a little information passed along between everyone sure made a
difference.  Oh.  And the unfortunate child that had an anaphlaytic reaction
to peanuts to start this all off.

Now we have kindergarten in the public school system next year..........

Suz