<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I wrote a letter explaining my sons situation in very easy to understand
terms.  I gave specific examples of mistakes that might be made  (ie.
rice krispie treats he brought from home were different than store
bought).  I pointed out not only the short term affects but more
importantly the  the
long term affect of ingesting gluten for my son.  I made it clear that I
would be happy to provide an alternate food item for any birthday, class
cooking project, etc.  I then gave a copy of the letter to the school
nurse, principal, cafeteria and of course his teacher.  I attached the
brochure from CSA  "Your student has celiac disease."   I always keep a
snack box
at school (he is now in third grade) that has gluten free snacks so that
if
a treat is brought in he can get something from his box.

I really try hard to make everyone aware without scaring them so much
that they are afraid to let him eat anything.

I have also empowered him by teaching him from the  time he was little
(3yrs) to politely so no thank you and if they persist to say no thank
you that food will make me sick. I have also helped him learn to read
labels
(which we are still working on) and to understand what brands of things
he can eat.

This last bit of info will make your child feel so informed and
Comfortable with their celiac situation.
-------------------------------------
I have Celiac disease and I'm a teacher.  On my first day of teaching
kindergarten a note went home asking not to "feed the teacher."  Children
like to bake with their parents and share with their teacher!
Schools are the best places to have allergies and intolerances.  I would
meet with the teacher.  The biggest problem your daughter will have is
feeling left out.  Have gluten free treats stored in the teacher's desk
foremergency food sharing, for example, Johnny's mother drops off cookies
to celebrate his birthday. Have the teacher send home a note that
explains
the sensitive nature of sharing treats with the class that not all the
children are able to eat. Most parents demand a no sweets policy in the
room
anyways.  If every child brings in a cake to celebrate their birthdays
that's
a lot of cake. Reinforce with your daughter that her food stays on her
section
of the table.  I would make sure she has her lunch and snacks in
containers that
she can eat right out of instead of  plastic bags, kids tend to lay their
food on table tops.
------------------------------
My CD son is in Kindergarten now.  They don't have a cafeteria, so we
don't have to worry about snacks and lunch too much, but they have Fun
Friday cooking!  We try to modify as best we can and then have
alternatives.  The teacher has a "candy stash" that we supplied for
unexpected times (somebody brings in doughnuts) and for the times that we
just can't substitute the activity.  He usually makes the activity for
his teacher to eat, as long as it is not flour dust producing!   We
haven't had any problems!  We send in our own cupcakes when there is a
birthday, and for their birthday's did brought in HOODSIE ice cream cups,
choc/vanilla are GF.  ***Make sure that they understand that even a
little gluten is a NO NO!  Most people don't get this piece of CD.  Also,
make sure the sand table is never filled with flour...as my pre-schoolers
was!!  It definitely caused problems!  Good luck!

---------------------------------
At my son's school I had to remind them about his hand washing after
using playdough, molding clay, etc that is made with flour. I also had to
remind my son not to chew on his necklaces that were made with pasta.  He
would forget that is was gluten even though it was being used as crafts.

Also, bathroom visits could be taken whenever my son queued the teacher,
usually hand up and she would just nod at him.

I also took in the pamphlet and Teachers book from the Canadian Celiac
Association http://www.celiac.ca/eproducts.html   You may not be in
Canada but the hopefully this could help as the general rules of Celiac
Disease would be covered.  I was lucky in the fact that his teacher (2
yrs
special need pre-school for speech therapy) read the books cover to cover
and really understood it.  Not so lucky when he reached kindergarten as
his
teacher didn't seem to read or take what I said into her memory banks.
She would
buy my son Rice Krispies for special occasions cause she could see he
could eat them cause I sent in homemade Rice Krispie squares in his
lunch.  I had to remind her more times than I can remember that all
Cody's food is
homemade and that gluten free ingredients go into it.  It may look like
the real thing but it's not.
----------------------------------
where to begin!  my daughter goes to a montessori program and is 3 years
old.  At first, I let her eat the group snack, since they are committed
to fresh fruit and veggies, then I realized that the mothers hands could
be contaminated when cutting the fruit.  Bottom line is your child may
only eat food sent from your home!  Our school sets Mia at a table for
lunch and snack with only one other child so she has access to less
crumbs.

Important will be handwashing, always, before meals, and after art
projects.  No playdough, unless you want to provide the dough for the
class (Danna Korn) has a recipe in her book Raising our celiac Kids.  No
stamp pads (they almost all contain gluten), unless the teacher will wash
hands well after (maybe provide a fingernail cleaner for these special
projects).  YOu can research their arts and crafts to feel safe in
knowing what is GF or just talk up the handwashing.

Most importantly, teach her to take care of herself! Know when to say
"that is not safe for my belly", etc.

----------------------------
I currently have a Kindergartener-and a 2nd and 7th grader with celiac.
I gave the elem. School teachers my book by Danna Korn to read. They
said it was helpful.  My kids bring their own lunch and snack everyday.
I spoke with the teachers about washing hands and spaces after gluten
was around in the classroom. One day, when the teacher was out, the sub
or assistant let my kindergartener make an art activity with Froot
Loops. I let the teacher know about it.  I wasn't too happy.  I had sent
in a bag of Gorilla Munch that my son's could use for math activities
using cereal.  I also sent in a bag of candy they can eat because our
school tends to give out candy as rewards-ugh! So, be sure that the
teacher informs subs and assistants about your child's needs.
I keep a box of individually wrapped,homemade, gluten free cupcakes in
the school's freezer that the teachers can grab for birthday parties and
other holiday events.  I called the company that supplies the ice cream
to the café to make sure the ice cream was okay to eat.
My kids are very aware of their diet.  I trust them to tell people what
they cannot have. Except I was surprised that my son went ahead with the
Froot Loop activity.  I guess they don't want to stand out.  If they
wash their hands immediately after and wash down their space, then I
feel better about it.

* Visit the Celiac Web Page at www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html *