Teachers can be great allies in keeping your child with a food allergy safe and successful, but you'll need to make sure they have the knowledge they need to help. Use these suggestions to create a information packet to bring educators up to speed. (See also: Preparing the School for Your Child With a Peanut Allergy.)
Five Things Teachers Need to Know
1. My child's food allergy is not a matter of personal preference or minor discomfort. This is a medical condition diagnosed by a doctor, and exposure to even small amounts of the foods to which he is allergic can cause a dangerous reaction for my child. Please take it seriously, and please contact me if you have questions or concerns.
2. If there is going to be a birthday party or other snack time in the classroom, please let me know in advance so that I can be sure to send in something that my child can eat.
3. It's okay to let my child's classmates know about her condition as long as it is done in a positive and respectful way; I'd be happy to help prepare a program.
4. My child has a significant health condition, but he is still a child with ordinary interests and hopes and dreams. Please help us keep his life as normal as possible.
5. Please join me in keeping the lines of communication open between our home and the school. It is important to my child's health and safety to have all of the adults in her life working together.
Printouts to Share with Teachers
PTA Resolution on Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management in Schools
Source: National PTA
Anaphylaxis: A Handbook for School Boards
Source: Canadian School Board Association
Managing Life Threatening Food Allergies in Schools
Source: Massachusetts Department of Education
School Individual Emergency Health Care Plan (downloads document)
Source: New Hampshire School Nurses Association
Binky Goes Nuts Activity Unit
Source: PBS
