<<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 *