When it comes to selecting your child's school, there are many factors that come into play. While location, test scores, and specialty programs may all play a role, some parents are now choosing their child's school based on another factor: food allergy policies.
According to the Daily Breeze, school districts take varied approaches to dealing with students who have food allergies. Some have peanut-free lunch tables, while others have rules against students bringing peanut products for lunch. If your child has a severe peanut allergy, would you consider the school's allergy policies when deciding which school your child will attend?
KD Kozar, 11, made that decision a few years ago. She left the Los Angeles school district for a Palos Verdes Peninsula school, based on their allergy policies. Her new school has a stricter food allergy policy, and doesn't allow peanuts in the school building.
Her parents explain that they moved to the area three years ago because the school district takes a vigilant stance against peanut allergies. The school district's cafeterias are nut-free, and don't allow corn nuts and several other products typically produced in a facility that also processes peanuts. By contrast, her previous school frequently had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the menu. "The thought of 530 kids having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch -- it would have made it impossible for my child to dodge those bullets," said her mother.
Her new school also has strong policies in place for dealing with allergic reactions. As KD's mother explained, “At the beginning of the year, every family signs a waiver which allows the administration to use an EpiPen on their child in case of emergency.”
KD has experienced two life-threatening reactions caused by her severe peanut allergy. Her parents hope that by moving her to the new school district, they can prevent further reactions.
Ban Peanuts on Planes:
PeanutAllergy Facebook:
Twitter:
PeanutAllergy.com Newsletter