KY - 8th grader put peanut butter in allergic classmate's lunch, Lexington, 2008

[JanetElaine]

I'd like to add that my daughter goes to school with a student that has a peanut allergy so I'm familiar with classroom policies in regard to his allergy. They are first graders and her teacher requests that if treats are to be brought for the class to make sure that they are 100% peanut-free.

This is not a school-wide policy or ban, but rather is determined on a classroom by classroom basis. His mother is a room mom and is there on days that treats are brought (Halloween, class parties, etc.) so her and the teacher can monitor what comes in on special days to ensure the student isn't encountering peanuts.

They do not dictate lunches or ban peanuts (or other foods). If my daughter wanted to eat peanut butter and jelly for lunch, she very well could, but it happens that she's the only child on the planet that HATES PB&J sandwiches! LOL

This is what the family I talked about does as well. Mom is always there, also on field trips etc.. She's nice as heck though so nobody cares, although I can see where her son might get sick of it sometimes. LOL

 

[KatK]

JanetElaine, dee10134 I am glad to see some schools are managing the problem by thinking outside the box. All I can say for the other schools is, probably they were either sued, or they are being run by people who *FEAR* being sued, don't have much imagination (or the parents with allergic kids don't, or don't have the ability to do as the one Mother did) and so take what seems to them to be the easiest way to solve the problem.

 

[dee10134]

This is what the family I talked about does as well. Mom is always there, also on field trips etc.. She's nice as heck though so nobody cares, although I can see where her son might get sick of it sometimes. LOL

Yeah, but by her being there she is also helping to educate her son on which snacks/foods are safe and which are unsafe for him. Years down the road when he wants to be independent and more on his own, he will be armed with the tools and knowledge of what is and isn't okay for him to be around.

 

[pixies]

Blame the courts, and the looming legal system. *wry* They ban peanuts/tree nuts because they can feel the courts breathing down their neck.

I blame parents who run to the courts for any small reason such as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Honestly, common sense here! If your kid could DIE from peanuts (which is a staple food in MOST households and especially poorer ones) then you should teach your child at home or find a solution that does not involve the legal system.
Do not put an extra burden on the entire school. It is the parents responsibility to take care of a child with life threatening issues.

 

[JanetElaine]

Yeah, but by her being there she is also helping to educate her son on which snacks/foods are safe and which are unsafe for him. Years down the road when he wants to be independent and more on his own, he will be armed with the tools and knowledge of what is and isn't okay for him to be around.

Yep. Next year the kids go to middle school, so I'm wondering what she will do then. We run into eachother quite a bit and DD has a huge crush on the boy, so I'm sure I'll hear about it. Not in a gossipy kind of way, but I'm just curious how they're going to handle it then. I know it takes a lot for this mom to do this, she wants to start working outside the house again but is very limited in which jobs she can take right now. It's a sacrifice they make for sure. But I think that is the right way to do it, even though I would love to see it be easier for her. The only way to do that though is probably having an overall ban which is where the trouble usually starts. I don't know the right answer... I just wish people would be more tolerant sometimes (not talking about the discussion here, that's what discussions are for, but about actual people that are actually in these situations). And that goes for both 'sides'.

 

[KatK]

I blame parents who run to the courts for any small reason such as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Honestly, common sense here! If your kid could DIE from peanuts (which is a staple food in MOST households and especially poorer ones) then you should teach your child at home or find a solution that does not involve the legal system.
Do not put an extra burden on the entire school. It is the parents responsibility to take care of a child with life threatening issues.

Some of those school systems though, no parents have run to the courts, it is just that they cannot do as the other Mothers are doing. (Maybe both parents have to work to make ends meet?) That, and the Administators fear litigation so take pre-emptive action to show they are complying and providing a safe environment.

 

[michelle]

My son is allergic to pollen and his eyes swell shut when the spring hits. Luckily for me he goes to a Private School and they will keep the windows shut when the pollen count is high and I can control it with Antihistamine.
I wanted to add here that I think its a sad day when we cant come together for the sake of an innocent child and not eat freaking peanut butter around them if its their life in danger! DS went to pre-k with a little girl with severe peanut allergies and WE all made sure NEVER to send anything to school that had peanuts in it, how hard was that? Not that hard. JMO

 

[JinxieJada]

EVen with a school ban though, what about visitors to the school? Parents, other educators, outside groups for special events? Where does the "line get drawn in the sand" so to speak?

To those that said Peanut butter, or Peanut items are non essentials? IF that were the case, then WIC, and the like wouldn't pass out peanut butter (cheap source of protein) Nor would alot of foods be cooked/fried in Peanut oil, Labels on almost everything it seems wouldn't state that the food item has possible exposure to peanuts or peanut by products etc.

As noted in my previous posts about my oldest DD - does this mean I'm supposed to rally at her school, that noone go out for recess, field trips, cancel the gardening club etc since she's so severely allergic to pollen and other fragrances? Even with medical documentation, her absences count as absences against her, the only thing the school does do is not turn me into the truancy officer. But, it also means that in order to assure that, when she has to come home due to a reaction, we are driving to the peds office, paying those copays all to get a lousy note to excuse her absence Now what makes one person's allergy worse than someone elses? People have been around for years with severe reactions to be stings WHICH CAN ALSO KILL THEM! I've NEVER seen schools ban honey, cancel outside time when bees are in "season" etc.

I"m not disrespecting anyone who has a peanut allergy, I'm just again, having trouble understanding why that group of "allergics" is more prized and/or valued than anyone else with a life threatening or life altering allergy?

 

[KatK]

JinxieJada peanuts are not the sole source of protein, and it seems that the USA is the main consumer of peanut butter. Ask a Brit, if they find the idea of a PB&J sandwich tastey, or revolting. (*MANY* will say "ewww" to the idea.) Other countries don't consume as much peanut butter as we do, and they do all right as far as getting enough protein. They are cheap here, and WIC and other Government programs give it out, but that is because....peanuts are subsidized by the Government. (Look on the list here, they are higher up than tobacco.) The Government has encouraged peanut consumption over the years, it is an American anomaly. I am not kidding, going back to that Washington Carver fellow, back that far. (The saying shouldn't be "As American as apple pie." it should, more properly be "As American as peanut butter.") That is also why corn syrup is ubiquitous too. No, I am not wearing a tin hat, it isn't precisely a conspiracy theory, more that I can see the cynical Capitalism for what it is.

 

[Jen_in_Indy]

JinxieJada peanuts are not the sole source of protein, and it seems that the USA is the main consumer of peanut butter. Ask a Brit, if they find the idea of a PB&J sandwich tastey, or revolting. (*MANY* will say "ewww" to the idea.) Other countries don't consume as much peanut butter as we do, and they do all right as far as getting enough protein. They are cheap here, but that is because....peanuts are subsidised by the Government. (Look on the list here, they are higher up than tobacco.) The Government has encouraged peanut consumption over the years, it is an American anomaly. I am not kidding, going back to that Washington Carver fellow, back that far. (The saying shouldn't be "As American as apple pie." it should, more properly be "As American as peanut butter.") That is also why corn syrup is ubiquitous too. No, I am not wearing a tin hat, it isn't precisely a conspiracy theory, more that I can see the cynical Capitalism for what it is.

Of course! it's not the only source of protein. But, she was making the point that here in the US, (which is where we're discussing) it is a very cheap alternative for families. (Hence, her excellent reference to WIC.) And therefore, for some families, a constant in their children's lunchboxes.

 

[JinxieJada]

JinxieJada peanuts are not the sole source of protein, and it seems that the USA is the main consumer of peanut butter. Ask a Brit, if they find the idea of a PB&J sandwich tastey, or revolting. (*MANY* will say "ewww" to the idea.) Other countries don't consume as much peanut butter as we do, and they do all right as far as getting enough protein. They are cheap here, and WIC and other Government programs give it out, but that is because....peanuts are subsidized by the Government. (Look on the list here, they are higher up than tobacco.) The Government has encouraged peanut consumption over the years, it is an American anomaly. I am not kidding, going back to that Washington Carver fellow, back that far. (The saying shouldn't be "As American as apple pie." it should, more properly be "As American as peanut butter.") That is also why corn syrup is ubiquitous too. No, I am not wearing a tin hat, it isn't precisely a conspiracy theory, more that I can see the cynical Capitalism for what it is.

Whoa - where did I say it was the only source of protein? I said a CHEAP source of protein!

 

[JinxieJada]

Of course! it's not the only source of protein. But, she was making the point that here in the US, (which is where we're discussing) it is a very cheap alternative for families. (Hence, her excellent reference to WIC.) And therefore, for some families, a constant in their children's lunchboxes.

:clap::clap::clap: Thanks for understanding what I was trying to get across!:blowkiss:

Sorry - I didn't see your post before I posted in response LOL. But yes, that was my point, that it's a cheap source of protein, and in alot of families it is considered a staple.

 

[michelle]

:clap::clap::clap:

Sorry - I didn't see your post before I posted in response LOL. But yes, that was my point, that it's a cheap source of protein, and in alot of families it is considered a staple.

It is a cheap source of protein, but maybe if there is a child at our school with the allergy we can look into something else just as cheap???

 

[KatK]

:clap::clap::clap: Thanks for understanding what I was trying to get across!:blowkiss:

Sorry - I didn't see your post before I posted in response LOL. But yes, that was my point, that it's a cheap source of protein, and in alot of families it is considered a staple.

And, if you read, I point out that it is possible, to do without it, to *not* have it as a staple. It is a staple, because it is cheap, it is cheap because the American Government subsidizes it. *BUT* beans are cheap too, and WIC gives 'em out... Raisins as well, and cheese in some instances. ETA: I was pointing out to you all, that our country isn't quite average in how much peanut butter it consumes (outside of snacky things) and that the only reason we consume so much in the first place is because we've been encouraged to do so, even though we weren't aware of it. I do understand being poor. I know as a kid I had peanut butter toast for breakfast a *LOT*. So I do know. But, I also know....that we can wean ourselves from dependence on peanuts for protein. I can make a tastey bean burrito type thing, that keeps even without refridgeration, and kids like it too. Just an example. (Refried beans, good flour tortilla, make a "bean pouch", fry/grill it up. You can season the beans, add cheese, salsa, what have you prior to frying. They are good hot, or cold.)

 

[Jen_in_Indy]

:clap::clap::clap: Thanks for understanding what I was trying to get across!:blowkiss:

No problem!

And yes, there are other cheap alternatives, but at the moment, none of them are readily available and as easy to access as peanut butter. And yes, WIC gives out beans and other cheap foods. I can just see a kid opening his lunch box and having beans for lunch. Yum. Not.

 

[JinxieJada]

It is a cheap source of protein, but maybe if there is a child at our school with the allergy we can look into something else just as cheap???

But who's going to fund that? Walk into a lower income cafeteria one day - see how many Pb & J sandwiches are served, heck, I know some school districts who serve' Crustless PB&J's" as a menu item! Now if you have say 20 children that get packed a PB&J sandwich and ONE child w/ Peanut allergies, is the school going to give those 20 childrens' families money to "upgrade" or "find an alternative" to peanut butter?

How about all the families that are on wic - Who's going to fund the finding the replacement, go further into depth, who's going to fund, the reprint of the cards, & or coupons, who's going to fund the stores redoing their registers to know what's "WIC" food and what's not? And it goes on and on and on....

I'm not attempting a peanut vs other food debate here - I'm again, seriously trying to understand why so much change is expected to made for ONE group of allergic persons, when SO MANY (allergic groups) exist.

 

[JinxieJada]

And, if you read, I point out that it is possible, to do without it, to *not* have it as a staple. It is a staple, because it is cheap, it is cheap because the American Government subsidizes it. *BUT* beans are cheap too, and WIC gives 'em out... Raisins as well, and cheese in some instances. ETA: I was pointing out to you all, that our country isn't quite average in how much peanut butter it consumes (outside of snacky things) and that the only reason we consume so much in the first place is because we've been encouraged to do so, even though we weren't aware of it. I do understand being poor. I know as a kid I had peanut butter toast for breakfast a *LOT*. So I do know. But, I also know....that we can wean ourselves from dependence on peanuts for protein. I can make a tastey bean burrito type thing, that keeps even without refridgeration, and kids like it too. Just an example. (Refried beans, good flour tortilla, make a "bean pouch", fry it up. You can season the beans, add cheese, salsa, what have you prior to frying.)

Can you name a school that is going to allow a child to have their food fried up at lunchtime so that mom can pack the type of meal your describing? How do you pack cheese, salsa, beans etc into a lunch container for say, an elementary student and expect them to be able to put it together, without it being, oh, Soggy (If fried at home) or congealed in grease etc?

And what happens if the only thing that someone has is peanut oil becase that's what was recommended By THEIR dr to cook in because it's healthier than say - vegetable oil or the like? I don't know about European standards or Diets, Never been there (although I'd like to) and this incident that started the discussion didn't take place in Europe, I don't know what their safeguards and/or policies are for situations like this etc, so I feel that bringing in a "foreign" culture is sort of a moot point at this point in the conversation.

 

[michelle]

But who's going to fund that? Walk into a lower income cafeteria one day - see how many Pb & J sandwiches are served, heck, I know some school districts who serve' Crustless PB&J's" as a menu item! Now if you have say 20 children that get packed a PB&J sandwich and ONE child w/ Peanut allergies, is the school going to give those 20 childrens' families money to "upgrade" or "find an alternative" to peanut butter?

How about all the families that are on wic - Who's going to fund the finding the replacement, go further into depth, who's going to fund, the reprint of the cards, & or coupons, who's going to fund the stores redoing their registers to know what's "WIC" food and what's not? And it goes on and on and on....

I'm not attempting a peanut vs other food debate here - I'm again, seriously trying to understand why so much change is expected to made for ONE group of allergic persons, when SO MANY (allergic groups) exist.

I dont know what the solution it, but there needs to be one. I dont know why the "peanut allergies" get more attention or what ever. I guess it effects the kids more, I dont know? I do however not understand why, if you can change your childs lunch and make something other then the peanut butter that it is a big deal? I just dont get it. Its a matter of life or death in those situations.

 

[KatK]

<snip>
I'm not attempting a peanut vs other food debate here - I'm again, seriously trying to understand why so much change is expected to made for ONE group of allergic persons, when SO MANY (allergic groups) exist.

That I cannot answer. But, do you see my point, that our dependence on peanuts has been encouraged by the Government? I wish there was a good "one size fits all" type way to deal with food allergies. I know you can't force the whole world to do things in a way that is safe for you. *BUT* schools are different, they are supposed to protect their students. It isn't right, and it isn't fair that peanuts are so cheap, and so many rely on them, and yet they cannot send them to school because of the few with allergies. (Note: I am placing the blame on those who caused the dependence on the peanuts in the first place, *NOT* on the fact that schools are playing it safe and banning peanuts. Peanut bans, are fair when it comes to public schools.) But it also isn't the fault of the kid with a peanut allergy. Plenty enough kids who have a peanut allergy are from families that are POOR AS DIRT, I'd wager. How do you imagine they cope?

Also, I actually rather like beans. My family was poor enough that growing up it was a staple food for us. I know many ways to make 'em, all of 'em tastey to me. You can get past the social stigma of "eww, beans" if you set your mind to it. And, like I said, you can do 'em up Mexican style, and other kids'll be jealous.

 

[JinxieJada]

I dont know what the solution it, but there needs to be one. I dont know why the "peanut allergies" get more attention or what ever. I guess it effects the kids more, I dont know? I do however not understand why, if you can change your childs lunch and make something other then the peanut butter that it is a big deal? I just dont get it. Its a matter of life or death in those situations.

My Point is, that there are other allergic groups, that suffer from some of the same reactions as those allergic to peanuts, when it is Also, a matter of life and death, and those people are expected to adjust, safeguard themselves, educate themselves, limit exposure (IE - Allergic to fragrance? Get away from it etc)

Why is everything expected to change for this ONE group that suffers from allergies (and if you've read the entire thread, there are those here that have those type of allergies themselves or who have children afflicted by life threatening allergies, just to different items, not peanuts) That's all I'm trying to find out - is WHY - this group has so many allowances made that are not made for others?