Peanut ban in school?

[calus_3]

...and several could die if it is.

Eve

Really? Who?

Cal

 

[jaxibear]

My daughter has always gone to schools that have nut restrictions, either the entire school or specific classrooms. It has never bothered me. There are plenty of food choices that are nut-free. It is no big deal to me to work around the whole thing.

It could however, be a big deal to a child with a nut allergy. I would never, ever forgive myself if I sent something in my child's lunch that hurt or killed another child. Giving up nut products for a few hours is such a small price for me and my child to pay to keep another child as safe as possible.

 

[Kymistry35]

"but we did have 2 peanut free classrooms due to students with peanut allergies. Those rooms had signs on the doors stating that this was a "no nuts zone"
"My daughter's kindergarten class this year also has a child with a nut allergy. It has been no big deal at all. They haven't banned nuts from the whole school, but just their class. "

~I see nothing wrong with that. But the entire school??
I think Annie pointed out above that many diabetic children need peanut butter during the day.... What about them??


"Here we go again, blame it all on bad parenting, right?"

Ultimately it is the parents responsibility to teach their children those things that will endanger them.
So the child is soo allergic they could not have a jar of PB in the house..
Fine, so the school should designate a mainstream class and include those with Peanut allergies in that one..
Why the entire school?
My debate is that there are other children who actually may NEED PB.
Its not as if there is no cure.. These children have Epi-Pens.
Let me give you another example..
I don't recall the name of the desease but it is the one where children cannot be out in sunlight and even certain interior light can kill them.
The specific case I know of the family has two little girls..
They do go to a public school but the entire school is not dark nor using special lights.
They have accomodated to the extent appropriate without blacking out the entire school.
That is not only an appropriate action for these two children but also appropriate for the other students.
Do these girls somehow feel different?? I am sure they do but that is just how it is.
Much of this debate is not only about safety of these allergic children but also about not making them feel different..
Sorry, they are and that should be something their parents learn to address.

If they need PB they can eat it at home after school, they don't NEED to eat it only duringschool hours.

 

[JanetElaine]

one of those was that if you feed your child peanut products in the morning, you were asked to brush their teeth & wash their hands before bringing them to school. It was a pain at first, but through the year, I found it was no big deal.

Some people just wish to make a mountain out of a molehill though, and that's just sad. One can learn to live with everything if you want to - and respect for a fellow human being's wellbeing should make you 'want to'.

I cannot believe how many people think a PB& J is an essential element of childhood. We are talking life and death here. Some of you think nothing of a one-strike law against anyone who exhibits the slightest tendency towards pedophilia to save a child's life, but banning peanut products from school to do the same thing is OVER THE TOP!!! Are you kidding??? This is not comparable to other allergies. I don't know of any other allergies that are this sensitive, dangerous, or common and rapidly growing.

[snip]

I'm really disappointed to read some of these comments. They surprise me.

I wish we had a karma button on this board.
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

I cannot believe the ignorance of some of these opinions.

[snip]

This isn't about wanting to push my anti-peanut policies on you, it is about protecting my child from death. Sheesh.

If someone told me that their kids was allergic to ham, I wouldn't send my kid to school with a ham sandwich out of respect for that child and not wanting to have them harmed. Now if they said they were muslims and were offended by my kid eating a ham sandwich, then they can go to hell as far as I am concerned.

Cal

More applause from me. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Where has the common courteousy and compassion gone?

Exactly what I said in my first post in this thread. Amazing how that part gets ignored by people.

 

[luvbeaches]

I have a story too. My former manager's child has an allergy to peanuts, so they are VERY careful when it comes to exposing any nuts to him. She has two sets of pans, two sets of everything that are clearly labeled so none of the oils from the nuts got anywhere near him.

A few years ago during Christmas or Thanksgiving they invited over her sister and a friend of the sister. She brought a pie. As always, the mother asked if there were any traces of nuts in the pie, or made in a tin that was near nuts. The friend answered no, as she had made the pie herself. Sure enough, the kid bites into the pie and starts swelling up immediately. He's scared out of his mind (he was like 7 years old) and they get out the eppi-pen and take him to the hospital. Luckily he lived, but it turns out the "friend" actually bought the pie from the store and tried to pass it off as her own! Boy was my manager pissed. She said she nearly killed this woman.

If the kid was that allergic to peanuts, she should have brought her own food for the child. Just because she "asked" about the peanuts, doesn't get the mom off the hook. Who really knows if things are truely peanut free. What if that gal had made the pie herself, and maybe there was a trace of peanut butter on the spatula she used to mix the pie ingredients?

If I had a kid who had allergies so serious he/she could die from them, I'd never take the word of anyone. I'd make sure the food my child ingested was peanut free.

 

[luvbeaches]

Did anyone see the Law and Order show (I think) about this? Based on truth, I believe. As a teacher I was interested. The teacher had a very rigid routine as regards lunches because of a child's severe peanut allergy. She was at her desk eating lunch while the kids ate theirs and apparently a student gave the afflicted student a candy bar that had peanuts in it and she didn't see this happen. The kid didn't even eat it, just opened it, and died of anaphylactic (sp.?) shock. The teacher was on trial for negligent homicide. The parents were rabid in their condemnation of the teacher.

Too much, imo. If a child is THAT sensitive, no amount of special care could insure safety. I deeply resent the load teachers must carry these days. Why we do the job, I often wonder.

Eve

If that particular episode is based on a true story, then I'd say that is too much. Are they kidding?

These days...you couldn't pay me enough to be a teacher. Kids are so out of control...as are their parents, and then this...geeze.

When do you find time to teach?

 

[eve]

Really? Who?

Cal

Well, my son eats peanut butter at home, gets a trace of it on his sleeve, I make him wash, brush, floss, fluff and buff, but I miss the sleeve. He plops himself down next to your Nutter, maybe even puts his arm around him or wrestles around at recess...

You cannot prevent peanut use outside of school. You cannot be vigilent enough to prevent mishaps. I don't even want to think about all the ways this can go haywire, there are so many. A kid could have peanut shells in the pocket of a jacket he wore to a baseball game, unbeknownst to his Mom, or whoever sent him off wearing it. A shell gets caught on his mitten. The kid's coat and mittens hang next to your Nutter's.

Need I say more?

Eve

 

[calus_3]

Well, my son eats peanut butter at home, gets a trace of it on his sleeve, I make him wash, brush, floss, fluff and buff, but I miss the sleeve. He plops himself down next to your Nutter, maybe even puts his arm around him or wrestles around at recess...

You cannot prevent peanut use outside of school. You cannot be vigilent enough to prevent mishaps. I don't even want to think about all the ways this can go haywire, there are so many. A kid could have peanut shells in the pocket of a jacket he wore to a baseball game, unbeknownst to his Mom. A shell gets caught on his mitten. The kid's coat and mittens hang next to your Nutter's.

Need I say more?

Eve

No, I thought you were saying that people were going to die if they didn't eat peanut butter at school.

Now, I can tell you that if I don't get a reasonable allottment of the salsa and cheese dip and chips from my local Mexican restaurant in a frequent enough manner, my blood viscosity levels will fall below the required levels and and I will have body systems start failing. It's UGLY.

I understand that banning it from schools will not totally protect my child and may create a false sense of security for some. No doubt. But you can only protect yourself in so many ways, you know. But banning it from schools is a step in the right direction....you seem worried about the incidental contacts yet aren't concerned about the definitive contacts for those with severe airborn allergy issues.

Cal

 

[michelle]

I have not read through this whole thread yet but I agree that it should be banned in schools. My son went to a pre-k that banned it because there were alot of kids with the allergy to it. Its very scared and sad that a child could die over peanut butter, something that would be so easy to just go ahead and say "dont have it in school" thats all. No big deal, nobody will die. Just pack cheese sandwichs or something. The little girl in his school had airborne allergies too it as well and I always made sure my son did not have any peanut butter before he went to school for fear for her. Its very scary.

 

[Julessleuther]

Jeana, You assume these parents have the ways or the means to homeschool. What if they don't? Their child has the RIGHT to an education. Your child does not have the right to a PB&J sandwich...

Actually they do have a right--it is a free country.

It is the parents responsibility to take care of their child, and if it means keeping them away from peanut products and those who may consume them, then they should. My son has asythma and sometimes cannot do the same things as other kids. His asythma is life threatening. Should we make all children stop running around so my child can be safe? No, of course not. He takes medication and from a very early age was taught what to do if he feels an attack coming on. It is about responsibility and education. It is my responsibility to keep my child safe, but not at the expense of others. If I feel that my child will not be safe in an environment, I remove him. I do not stand on a soap box and say that every child cannot play and have fun because my child cannot. My concern is my son, not some stupid principles about rights. If a childs allergy/illness is so severe then parents should find another alternate. Why place that much responsibility on a school, its children, and the teachers? Why would a parent even want to take a risk for their child--just to prove a point that their child should not be treated any differently than other kids? Are your principles more important than your childs life? You are basically saying that your child is different, and should be treated more special than other children, but do not place them in a segregated area where they may be safer??? Are you saying your childs life is more important than say a diabetic childs life, who may need peanut butter as part of their diet? My father-in-law has type I diabetes, and sometimes peanut butter has been a life saver--literally.

 

[calus_3]

Actually they do have a right--it is a free country.

It is the parents responsibility to take care of their child, and if it means keeping them away from peanut products and those who may consume them, then they should. My son has asythma and sometimes cannot do the same things as other kids. His asythma is life threatening. Should we make all children stop running around so my child can be safe? No, of course not. He takes medication and from a very early age was taught what to do if he feels an attack coming on. It is about responsibility and education. It is my responsibility to keep my child safe, but not at the expense of others. If I feel that my child will not be safe in an environment, I remove him. I do not stand on a soap box and say that every child cannot play and have fun because my child cannot. My concern is my son, not some stupid principles about rights. If a childs allergy/illness is so severe then parents should find another alternate. Why place that much responsibility on a school, its children, and the teachers? Why would a parent even want to take a risk for their child--just to prove a point that their child should not be treated any differently than other kids? Are your principles more important than your childs life? You are basically saying that your child is different, and should be treated more special than other children, but do not place them in a segregated area where they may be safer??? Are you saying your childs life is more important than say a diabetic childs life, who may need peanut butter as part of their diet? My father-in-law has type I diabetes, and sometimes peanut butter has been a life saver--literally.

Hey genius, another child's running doesn't cause your child's death.

I have seen some of the most lanebrained logic on this post. Seems people are arguing just to argue.

Cal

 

[michelle]

Actually they do have a right--it is a free country.

It is the parents responsibility to take care of their child, and if it means keeping them away from peanut products and those who may consume them, then they should. My son has asythma and sometimes cannot do the same things as other kids. His asythma is life threatening. Should we make all children stop running around so my child can be safe? No, of course not. He takes medication and from a very early age was taught what to do if he feels an attack coming on. It is about responsibility and education. It is my responsibility to keep my child safe, but not at the expense of others. If I feel that my child will not be safe in an environment, I remove him. I do not stand on a soap box and say that every child cannot play and have fun because my child cannot. My concern is my son, not some stupid principles about rights. If a childs allergy/illness is so severe then parents should find another alternate. Why place that much responsibility on a school, its children, and the teachers? Why would a parent even want to take a risk for their child--just to prove a point that their child should not be treated any differently than other kids? Are your principles more important than your childs life? You are basically saying that your child is different, and should be treated more special than other children, but do not place them in a segregated area where they may be safer??? Are you saying your childs life is more important than say a diabetic childs life, who may need peanut butter as part of their diet? My father-in-law has type I diabetes, and sometimes peanut butter has been a life saver--literally.

Orange juice works just as good. Also what if your child was handicapped and needed a ramp for his wheelchair It would be nice that the school would have one, wouldnt it? It basically the same thing. You are saying because a child has a problem they should not be treated any different? Thats not right. We are talking about a life here.

 

[michelle]

Hey genius, another child's running doesn't cause your child's death.

I have seen some of the most lanebrained logic on this post. Seems people are arguing just to argue.

Cal

:clap: well put!

 

[Adrienne]

Calus & Michelle, I am not surprised by this reaction. I have stood face to face with other moms who have complained about peanut bans. It is just beyond my comprehension how anyone can even argue the issue, are they (at worst) unfeeling, uncaring (ie narcasist), or simply ignorant to the issue?

Honestly, it is something that should not even be up for debate,

 

[beakiebean]

We have lots of allergies in the family but no peanut allergies however I don't see the problem with schools being peanut free OR having a very good system for preventing allergic kids from being exposed(like the one previously mentioned). No one is going to die from not having peanut butter for 8 hours-there are lots of protein options for vegetarians (or they can eat the PB at home-it's not like they're going to be eating it 3 meals a day), there are lots of non perishable items diabetics can carry to provide a blood sugar boost.

Banning peanuts in school isn't going to 100% guarantee that no kid in the school will ever have a reaction but it does greatly limit the possibilities for exposure. You can't shelter kids from everything but to me it's reasonable to restrict a food item that can cause death. I don't think a small inconvenience like that is so awful if it can keep a child safe.

Becca

 

[luvbeaches]

Hey genius, another child's running doesn't cause your child's death.

I have seen some of the most lanebrained logic on this post. Seems people are arguing just to argue.

Cal

WOW....that's totally uncalled for.

You may not agree with this post, but you can't attack the person. Are you always this hostile when people don't agree with you?

Kids have always had allergies. My neighbors children were allergic to practically everything...from dairy products, to strawberries, to peanuts. She did homeschool them when they were young, but eventually, when they were older, they went to public schools. She had to pack their lunch. They knew what they could and could not eat. Yes, there were incidents where they had problems, and the school knew how to deal with these issues.

But it's just not the schools. What about airplanes? Do you think they shouldn't serve dairy products, peanuts, or strawberries? Of course not. What if Johnny has just eaten a peanut butter sandwich and leaves his peanut butter hand print on the handrail at the mall, and little Suzie Q., who is highly allergic comes along and runs her hand across the rail? Then what?

We may disagree on this, but calling other posters names is nasty...and probably against the terms of agreement.

 

[Floh]

The War on Peanuts

"Oh, well. First we'll outlaw the use of peanuts in all public places, develop goober SWAT teams to enforce the law, and impose incredibly high taxes on anything that even looks like a legume to discourage peanut eating while simultaneously telling the public that the peanut tax will go to benefit public schools while spending the windfall on whatever the hell we feel like, such as..."

***

"We'll launch a massive social welfare scheme with offices all over the country to aid poor people with peanut allergies, which will make us look really sensitive and caring and will provide jobs for young liberal do-gooders with worthless degrees in Post-Modern Marxist Channeling who'll become dependant on taxbucks and imprint on the public sector as a parent surrogate and vote Democrat for the rest of their lives..."

***

"It's Mike, Candy. Mike Shallo. And this just in. Former President and peanut farmer Jimmy Carter has just been named honorary chairman of the Peanut Growers Lobbying Group, which represents several southern peanut growing states. Their avowed goal is to have their peanut subsidies increased a hundredfold. Failing that, their compromise position will be to graciously accept government taxbucks for not planting peanuts.
"All in the name of the children."

http://www.reasontofreedom.com/the_war_on_peanuts.html

I found all that. i don't necessarily agree with it. i'm dismayed at how this thread has gone and despite Mabel's post telling us there had been a peanut ban thread a year ago, i had no idea it could get like this.

mea culpa for not posting this on the political pavillion, i suppose.

 

[reb]

i still don't get it. so, now if you eat a lot of something when you're young, your body starts 'rejecting' it...?? since when?? what about poorer nations where the kids grow us eating mainly one kind of food, how come they don't start rejecting it? i ate tons of peanut butter growing up, but i suppose no more than your average kid. and my body's not rejecting it. is it because young kids' systems are so overwhelmed with all the chemical crap that everyone's pouring in our environment that they have become super-sensitive to everything? how sad.
so, have any studies been done to see what kinds of kids are most suseptible to this kind of thing? suburban, rural or urban? ethnic background? breast-fed or non? raised on soy formula? raised in a healthy environment or one filled with lots of chemicals (new homes, new carpet, etc.. not a lot of fresh air) etc. etc........???

 

[Floh]

i still don't get it. so, now if you eat a lot of something when you're young, your body starts 'rejecting' it...?? since when?? what about poorer nations where the kids grow us eating mainly one kind of food, how come they don't start rejecting it?

Apparently, in poorer nations, rice allergies are gaining a grip. according to a post on this thread.

is it because young kids systems are so overwhelmed with all the chemical crap that everyone's pouring in our environment that they have become super-sensitive to everything? how sad.

That's what my money's on.

so, have any studies been done to see what kinds of kids are most suseptible to this kind of thing? suburban, rural or urban? ethnic background? breast-fed or non? raised on soy formula? raised in a healthy environment or one filled with lots of chemicals (new homes, new carpet, etc.. not a lot of fresh air) etc. etc........???

no idea, but it would be enlightening, maybe.

 

[Adrienne]

Sorry Floh, I did not mean to add to the disruption on the thread & I should not have use such strong language... I was referring to some people I know IRL who do not have a clue as to the seriousness of this issue( & these are moms)...

Back to your original question - IMO - I think that there are more peanut alergies today because of all the chemicals in the environment that were just not there 30 years ago. I see a link between the pet food recall & this issue. How much of this product is being shipped in from other countries? What are they spraying on peanuts that might be a trigger to the kids who are predisposed to this type of severe reaction?