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

My celiac is nearly 15 now, but I remember kindergarten well.  I remember
substitute teachers most of all.

First, meet with the teacher and the nurse, prior to school starting
if you can.  Give them the CSA brochure "your student has celiac
disease", along with a list of snacks or candy your child CAN eat, or
suggest they put your baked goods in the freezer.  Make sure they
note the needs in the office, in the cum file folder, put it on your
registration card so the office can add your child to the annual health
alert list.  Find out who the parents club leader is, in case school-wide

ice cream parties are given after jog-a-thons,
etc.  Make sure the teacher has a noticable note for any subs she'll
have this year.

Contact the room mother before every party and see if you can supply
Something similar.  Go to the parties if you can because they always
change their minds about this, that or the other.  If the class has
a "cooking" day, try and be there and make a close substitute for or
with your child.

Last, train your child to be careful....use a pretty handkerchief as
a placemat, add wipes to the lunch pail.  Don't accept or trade snacks,
and if you must....then check it out with mom before eating it.  Don't
let the sub throw away your snack, and go to the office if the sub
doesn't cooperate or believe you.
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I started worrying about Kindergarten months in advance too!!! I had
myself so organized I was like a drill seargent by the time I marched in
there to tell  them exactly how it was going to be.  Well, that's my
personality trait, I have to have all my ducks in a row WAY ahead of time
or I'll just go nuts. Let me tell ya, It didn't go over too well.  The
principal and I butted heads from the start, I guess she didn't like me
telling her how it was going to be.  So....luckily, I got a second chance
we built a house, moved and changed schools at Christmas.  I went
into the new school with a more layed back and polite friendly attitude
and a more tolerant at mistakes attitude and I've had tremendous luck
with it. Everyone has been more willing to try to accomidate my son and
they don't feel pushed or threatened. So, my advice to you is that you
definately get more with honey than vinegar.   I bring a bag of gluten
free goodies for my son with little ziplock snack bags and the teacher
fills his own snack each day, and she's aware that the table must be
clean, she's even concerned about it being an autoimmune disorder and so
she's gone out of her way to disinfect the computers because he was sick
the first 3 weeks after he started and missed a bunch of school.  I also
keep some special treats in the bag (like a reese's) and some prebaked
frozen brownies in the staff freezer she can defrost in case a kid brings
in cupcakes or something.  I use to do frozen cupcakes and fresh frosting
at the old school, but this teacher tries to discourage cupcakes from
anybody cause she doesn't like to deal with the frosting mess. So I do
brownies from the gluten free pantry and it works out better anyway for
me.  Also, I provided all the teachers like music, art, p.e. etc. with a
list of gluten free candy treats, cause you'd be surprised at how often
they'll reward them with a piece of licorice in the big red tub!!!  So
they know my son can have certain candy most of them just go out and buy
that kind of candy and don't even do anything that's not gluten free.
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     I am a kindergarten teacher with celiac. I was diagnosed over 50
years ago. In my class this year I have students who are allergic to
nuts, peanuts, eggs and milk. I have had children with wheat allergies
but never with celiac. They always give me all the students with
allergies. I have the parents supply a wide variety of snacks for certain
children.  when the supply goes down I notify the parents. So if they
cannot have the snack we are eating they can have a choice. In my school
we collect snack money and buy snacks for the children. In the afternoon
we have bananas, apples, oranges and pears. If I am cooking or making
something special and I am not sure. I copy call or write the parents a
note.
    My rule of thumb is when in doubt - DO NOT give it to the child. I
explain to the children that a lot of people can't eat certain foods. I
find a lot depends upon the attitude of the teacher.
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Some suggestions i have, when she is having snack or any "meal", she sits
at the end of the table, this way, when little hands are passing food or
dropping food, she is less likely to have crumbs fall on her
food......one of the few times my daughter had a problem at school was
when her friends were passing around cookies, right over her lunch and
crumbs fell in, my daughter is old enough that she knew not to eat
anymore
of her lunch, but that is the bad part, she had to stop eating........

She washes her hands after every food encounter, just in case she has
someone elses crumbs on her hands.

Encourage the school to think about GF snacks for everyone, and i mean
this for those times that everyone has the same snack......you could
supply them with a list...........

Also, they could post a list or send home a note to all parents that when
sending in cupcakes or what not for someones birthday, you could be
notified a day or 2 in advance so you could make something you daughter
can eat that is "special" while the other children have their
cupcakes......
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Yes, indeed, there will be gluten every day at snack time.  We have 4th
grader and kindergartener.  We gave letter detailing condition and
medically necessary treatment (gluten free diet).  We attached several
articles from newspapers and research study summaries to educate
the nurses, teachers,  lunch workers, etc. who come in contact with our
children every day.  We  make sure to say that our kids will not have
a "classic" allergic reaction but that consumption of gluten can cause
vomiting and diarrhea (usually gets their attention) and that the effects
are cumulative and severe.  Encourage them to call you anytime with
any question.

We specifically ask that after snack the tables be thoroughly cleaned and
all children wash hands.  The school is happy to comply.  We approach
them in a friendly but firm manner.  (you cannot give an inch on this
even if it is not your nature- go over your presentation before so you
are prepared and organized)  We met with the nurses and teachers
right before school began and went through supplies - made them
aware of what problems may arise.   Luckily, the "play-dough" they use
is gf - more like clay.  Our little guy is a nail biter so we are
particularly careful about what he touches.

Older boy has always been much more aware so we can be less strict on
This issue - he remembers to wash hands and why.  We send a supply of gf
tylenol for the nurses to give our kids if necessary.

We give the teacher a bag of goodies for our kids to have during b-day
parties and other special treat times(you'll never be notified of every
special occasion) Our kids pick the stuff and it's all bad for them but
they are the total envy of their classes - having their own special

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