<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thanks so much to all who responded. You have some great ideas. My question is the first item below and the responses follow. My comments are labeled as such. In general, I don't think I'll have much of a problem. Like I said originally it's a very small private school and every time they get so much as a whiff that a parent might not be happy with something they bend over backwards to correct the problem. And, as we have a couple times in the past, it works wonders to gently remind them that we, not the State of CA, are paying for the education and if they'd like to continue having me write that $1,600 check (two kids) every month they'll work with me. :-) My question: I would appreciate any tips from you folks regarding some really good points to make when I meet with my son's teacher and principal. Something that would really make them stop and think about all this and how serious they need to be. ****************** remind them we are covered by the American with Disabilities Act and that they risk losing federal funding if they do not comply.. I am a teacher with over 35 years experience!! My comment: I was aware of this; however I'm not certain it applies to private schools. I believe our tuition is the sole funding. ****************** It is very hard to get people to understand the importance of leading a GF life especially since sometimes exposure to gluten doesn't cause any external symptoms. I found it worked very well to give the school a list of rules to follow. Be very specific- they can follow rules even if they do not truly understand or believe with the reason for the rules. I have attached something that worked well for us (attachment 3 pages). Hope it helps. Also, it is a GREAT idea to give them literature etc. Danna Korn's book is very good. Also, the National Institutes of Health has a Celiac file that is helpful: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/celiac/index.htm My comment: The attachment she sent was wonderful. If anyone wants a copy I'll be glad to forward it. ***************** So, all I do is call the teacher and tell her that Lauren is on a strict GF diet (no wheat, oats, barley, rye) and that some foods you wouldn't suspect have gluten in them. I offer to provide snacks on any occasion they are needed (sometimes candy is used as a prize for good behavior, etc). I call the room mother and tell her my tale too and ask her to just let me know when she needs snacks/food and we work together so that at least some food there is GF for Lauren. Lauren brings her lunch every day to school so that is not a problem. At age 10, a child should be able to understand 'don't trade food with others or eat any of theirs unless it's in a sealed bag from the manufacturer and you know it's ok'. With this approach, I have had no trouble. ********************** How about a tee shirt with the saying "I have celiac disease , I only can eat what I bring or I could die" all true, Have you printed the letter celiac deaths and or Dr Joseph Murray's letter? ********************** Each year I give the teacher some gluten free snacks to keep at school for birthday parties. Also, when they have a holiday party, I find out what they are having. If they are having items he can eat-I request that he be the first one to get the food. That way (for example) if they have potato chips and Doritos, he is not putting his hand in the potato chips after someone who has put their hand in the Doritos and then the chips. Always think of the possibility of cross contamination. Good luck! ************************ Go to this other good site: http://forums.delphi.com/celiac/messages/ and ask you questions. There are knowledgeable and understanding people there. There is Abigail's Gluten-free list, and I have voluntarily posted thousands of GF recipes. ************************* use words like "medically required diet" and "gluten in the molecular form will cause damage" and "gluten is essentially a poison" "cross contamination issues". You may want to steer clear of "immune system" unless you're discussing that the immune system attacks "gluten in the molecular form" and that his body reacts to it like a "poison". I think they will get it. Good luck and make great snacks once in a while for the whole class so that the other kids will be a little jealous! *************************** I think the main way to get them to react is to approach them in a way that you ask for help instead of being demanding. I gave the school lots of information and gave them a copy of Danna's book. I made them snack lists and candy lists of things that were safe. I let them know that I would be sending lunch and snacks everyday and didn't expect them to provide for her. I think that took a little pressure off of them. I asked for permission for her to use the microwave and refrigerator if she needed them. They also ordered ice cream that she could have. I have had parents contact me wanting lists so they could send snacks for the whole class that Kaitlyn could eat too. I guess the main thing would be to give them as much information as possible and offer to help out as much as you can and let them know that it is okay to contact you anytime to ask about anything (I think that makes them feel less scared with the whole situation). My comment: I already have a stash of M&Ms ready for the teacher and I do intend to help out as needed. I'm very fortunate to have a job where I can come and go as needed so I do attend every field trip and class party and have for years. **************************** The biggest problems that we ran into at school were using gluten products such as cereal for math projects, such as graphing. Your son is new to the diet, but old enough to understand that he can't eat these things. If you feel you can trust him, at his age I let my celiac children use these things, but only on a napkin or paper towel (so that the crumbs were not on their desk) with the understanding that they were to be thrown away and hands washed immediately afterward. *************************** I like the web site celiac.com. *************************** I have just left my job of elementary principal (first fall with no school in sight!) Besides all the information you have for the teacher and principal, I think the difference a gluten free diet could make to your son's lifetime health might make an impact. Stressing the many other diseases that celiac is known to have a relationship and that the school's cooperation may impact your son's future might be an idea for you. ************************* I would include a list of allowable foods, also a list of hidden sources of Gluten and a list of foods that are not allowed. A list of symptoms your son gets from eating gluten so that the teachers know what to expect if he gets some by accident and any relative information pertaining to your son. I think the information you have already is fine in my experience teachers usually don't read it all so make your information brief and highlight the important points. Hope these suggestions are of some use. Also probably should mention your son should not eat any food that you don't send him. *************************** I truly believe it all depends on the teacher. My daughter's kindergarten teacher this past year gave wonderful lip service to letting me know when a wheat or dairy (we have severe food allergies, not CD) substitute was needed and at the beginning of the year was fine. By March, however, she gave my daughter MILK AND COOKIES on St. Pat's day and when my daughter tried to tell her she couldn't have them the teacher told her it would be fine and would hurt the feelings of the girl who brought them in if she didn't at least try them. By June, she had Ice Cream Sandwiches two days in a row at school and was vomiting and had severe bowel pain. When I again offered to bring in a substitute she said it wouldn't be fair to the other kids if my daughter had something different (FYI - I showed up with substitutes anyway ad stayed in class to make sure my daughter got them). You may have better luck, but be prepared to battle all the way through. People forget and ignore these needs when they get busy. The child needs to know what he/she can eat. Also, don't underestimate the help a decent school nurse can give you. Ours helped tremendously once she found out what was happening in the classroom. ************************** with those blood tests & your son's response to the diet, you should be able to get your doctor to write a letter to the school telling them the importance in your son adhering to the diet. My comment: Since my son's biopsy was negative and he hasn't been officially medically diagnosed, I'm not sure the doctor will do this. But I plan to ask him early next year, especially if the diet continues to give us the great results we've gotten so far. ************************** You can tell them that there is a documented case of a child with growth retardation that was caused by only ingesting one communion host per week! 1/48th of a slice of bread per day causes MEASURABLE intestinal damage. I would suggest that you pack his lunch everyday, and send in bulk snacks (get a vacuum sealer for this purpose) of gluten free cookies (they can stick in the freezer for the year or the month or whatever) GF waffles with peanut butter, nuts, chips, gluten free cereal, etc... so he doesn't feel deprived when they have parties.