You\'ll never guess what game my kid\'s class played today...

Joey --
You are having the PA week from heck!
Wish I could have you over for tea or coffee, and a good long chat about all this.

Since I can't -- just a quick thought, based on my own experiences.

When all the adrenaline wears off (probably sometime next week), you may feel a little shaky for a few days. To the extent that you are able (I know moms never really get a day off), be extra good to yourself during that time. Fresh flowers, a new book, a hot bath -- just something that recharges your batteries. Exercise is a good thing, too. We got a treadmill for Christmas so that I can "walk it off" during such times -- it actually puts the adrenaline to some postive use.

Your daughter may need a little extra TLC, too!

Hang in there --

Sue

Joeybeth,

I have seen too many posts from you regarding that school. I don't like to come on so strongly, but I would look into finding another school!!!

Our natural tendency is to be nice and not make waves, but you have repeatedly been disappointed with the situation there.

I have had a couple of issues with my son's preschool, but I plan to go with 3 strikes and they're out philosophy.

Your stress level, your child's emotional health, and most of all your child's safety are at issue.

At least check into other possibilities...please?

Tucker's Mom: I probably havent been really specific but we have 2 peanut allergic children. One is in kindergarten (where we have the least amount of problems) and the other is only 3 and in preschool on Tues and Thurs mornings. I have had the most problems at the preschool. In general, I have been pretty comfortable with the school my kindergartner attends. They are not completely peanut-free but very, very close. (of course very close is still NOT peanut-free) This game was just over the top though and completely unacceptable given the fact that there are three PA children in the kindergarten alone. There is no reason they had to use peanuts; real or otherwise (but especially real ones!). This just tells me only my child's teacher has been informed about the need for as peanut-free environment as possible. This illustrates the need for ALL teachers and staff at a school to be educated and/or trained; not just the ones that have contact with the PA kid(s) on a daily basis. And, yes, you are right. I am too trusting and both the school and the preschool are not making enough effort to help us safely send our girls to school. It's really ridiculous. I can easily remove my preschooler if it comes down to that. My oldest never went to preschool and she is a straight A 5th grader. But, my kindergartner is in a different predicament. They really need to make school safe for her so she can attend without fear. I know her stomach ache could have been caused by coming into contact with one of the 50 or so pairs of little contaminated hands that participated in the game yesterday (not to mention the handles on the water fountain or pencil sharpener, table tops, etc..) but I have a hunch she was just a bundle of nerves and afraid to go back to her classroom. I would have found a way to get back home too. Joey

Hi Joey,

In addition to the pampering previously mentioned, I recommend LARGE DOSES OF REALLY, REALLY GOOD (SAFE) CHOCOLATE!!! That's the only thing that would do it for me!

Seriously, that is simply outrageous. I'm sorry you are going through all this. Sending out a huge cyber-hug...

Amy

10 +++ points to your child for speaking up! and -10 to the teacher for not getting it even after that reminder!

Please try to be sure your child knows how proud you are! Speaking up like that is not always easy for young kids, but I think that the earlier they get in the "habit" of protecting themselves the better adjusted they will be long term.

I WOULD BE FURIOUS!!!!

I cannot believe how stupid a teacher would be to even think up such a game. I am so tired of stupid people especially people in education being so terribly insensitive about pa allergies. It is not like they have never heard of such a thing before!!! They have bloody conferences on it at schools all over the country. The educator is obviously not a professional and not keeping up with education today!! No wonder your poor child didn't feel well with all that IG E protein on all of those kids you are lucky she didn't drop right there!! Thank God you took her home instead of leaving her there with all that peanut protein!!!

I would have a chat with the principal tomorrow as well as the teacher and school nurse. If they don't meet with you ASAP threaten to go to the Superintendent or the school board!! I don't like to rock the boat, but how stupid!!

Sorry for venting, the teacher next to my daughter's room was handing out Reese's today as rewards!!!

Good luck and know you are not alone in this!! We are here for your frustration.

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Thanks for the support everyone. I haven't spoke with the school yet (other than the nurse). My daughter is getting a big award tomorrow and I didn't want to ruin it for her. As soon as that is done tomorrow I intend to visit with the principal and see where that goes. I am already worried about offending our teacher (but not the other one). Someone needs to kick me in the pants. (which I'm sure you all will do! ha ha) I don't know why I always fear upsetting people I like. She needs to know she was wrong to allow a dumb game like that to be played at school. Think how frightened my little 6 yr old was thinking about having to spend the rest of the school day trapped in a room with 50 little hands that had been sweaty and full of peanuts for an entire recess period. I am so proud of her for calling me to "rescue" her. I do need to make a bigger deal out of it. She did the right thing. If I was her I would get sick of all the adults that know her, claim to care about her, and constantly put her in dangerous situations (teachers, relatives, etc..). I guess that's why I have to get something done once and for all - so I won't be just another one of those adults that do nothing. Thanks for backing me and reminding me it's not too much to ask that they do a better job taking care of ALL the kids at school ALL the time. Joey

pa mom: by the way, you are right about teachers getting plenty of training that warns them about serious allergies. there is no way the teacher from another class should have organized that game, even if she doesn't have a PA kid in her own class. she brought the game to recess and expected all the classes to participate. that was very irresponsible. Joey

Joeybeth,

I am also in shock. I have also followed the terrible time you have had with your preschooler. I can't believe the teacher was outright so stupid ( and with 3 PA children enrolled). I am re sending my 3y.o to her first day of preschool in three weeks time and I must say that what has been happening in your classroom is an absolute nightmare. I am dreading the thought of having to post similar experiences on the board. I would definitely be following this up further whilst you still have the anger of the past week running through your veins. I can't imagine how your poor daughter must have felt either.........but what a legend to know the adult was putting her at risk. I want to give her a big hug for doing such a wonderful job.(I don't think my DD would have been as brave and stood up to the teacher giving instrauctions on such a game.)
My thoughts are with you, keep us posted with the updates.

When Chris was in first grade the kids played the exact same find the peanut. The kids had to find where the peanut was hidden. The kids that found the most were the winners and then they ate the nuts. chris of course did not play. I got to his school and saw all of the nuts around and was trying to figure out what reason they were there. The school actually apologized and at that particular time the dealing was hard. Peanut allergies were very odd to people,because there were not very many kids allergic and some people just had never heard of it. They did stop playing the game and everything and when i realized that the people had no idea what could happen to him they were great,but it was frustrating.
Joeybeth the thing that gets me is that when your daughter got the stomach ache the school teacher should have told you what went on with the game. That should have been her prime concern. I would think the minute our children get ill the teacher would give a complete rundown on his/her day. The first thing I do if they call and tell me Chris is sick is ask "has he been exposed to anything'. The reason is that I live 14 minutes away from his school and would have to get him to ER so fast. I would not want to bring him all the way home nor would I want to make him wait.
It bothers me that your little girl was probably so frightened and the teacher had no clue as to how and handle the situation.
Best wishes claire

Joeybeth,
Did you speak with the principal yet? You need to let him know HE IS PERSONNALLY responsible for your child's safety. Get out the student handbook. I would write a letter to the principal and copy the superintendent of schools discribing what happened and your discussion and what you need to happen. Also that your child's PA is not being taken seriously and that you will sue the school district and the principal if anything happens to your child. I have never heard of anything like this. Your child's teacher is very negligent here. She was the supervisor! She needs to be made perfectly clear what she is dealing with here. There needs to be education! Also she needs to be bluntly told she could have killed your child!!! Does she want that death on her hands???

Joey,
Gee I have been away from the board for awhile and was shocked when I read the post. Do let us know how the meeting turns out. You child definitely does deserve an award for speaking up. That is something that should never have happened. I would be curious to hear how they defend such a careless act. Good luck.

Update: My son is in his new art class and he is thrilled. First day the teacher even asked a girl if my son could have her seat to sit near someone he knew. She also commented on his artistic ability, which he would not stop talking about. (never heard any positive comments from the other teacher)
The advice to stand your ground well it was awesome. So joey you actually are a very wise parent without my advice on your situation. You just do what you know you need to do, raise some $%#&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Best of luck at school

I went to the kindergarten and first grade nurse who is in our corner, so to speak. She spoke with our teacher and the other teacher (the one who instigated the game)about the severity of the allergy. She said she would inform all the teachers in the k-1 group about the PA issue(there are 2 other kids besides mine who are PA)and what nees to be done. I did not go to the principal because I wanted to see what would be accomplished by going to the nurse and the teachers first. Maybe this wasn't proactive enough. I will find out (hopefully not the hard way). In the past few months the school nurse has been instrumental in getting peanut items removed from the school cafeteria. She has been very helpful so far so I wanted to keep her on my side rather than going over her and making a big stink. I have felt very secure knowing she is looking out for my daughter during the schoolday. I hope I did the right thing. I will follow up in the morning and see how the talks with the teachers went. If not satisfied, I will go to the principal and whoever else may need to be contacted. Joey

I agree with your approach. In my experience if you do not start with the teachers, they could be hurt (and maybe uncooperative) when their boss (the principal) comes down on them for something.

Good luck.